Beauxbatons Classes
As you may remember from our discussion of Beauxbatons' history, Beauxbatons offers a wide variety of classes, some of which aren't offered anywhere else. Here is a summary of classes offered and differences between Hogwarts and Beauxbatons:
Now that we've discussed class differences a little, you may choose ONE of the following three Beauxbatons mini-lectures to sit in on.
- Beauxbatons offers Cultural Studies rather than Muggle Studies. Students learn about a different muggle culture and approaches to further learning each month. It is a bit similar to Muggle Anthropology, as classes may cover history, politics, art, literature, and other aspects in addition to behavior. While Hogwarts has a focus on understanding the daily lives of Muggles and how they cope without magic - effectively an understanding of Muggles as a whole and blending in with them for the necessary amounts of time - Beauxbatons aims for more of an appreciation of differences and similarities, with a focus on how Muggle and Wizarding culture interacts worldwide. Although they are universal (i.e., used by both Muggles and Wizards/Witches alike), conversational language courses are also offered through the Muggle Studies department, depending on the staff and their availability.
- Beauxbatons does not teach "Defense Against the Dark Arts". Instead, they have a class called "Combat Magic". Whereas the DADA class at Hogwarts covers a breadth of topics, from defensive magic to a variety of creatures and such, Beauxbatons' Combat Magic class focuses most heavily on the magic/charms/spells themselves and offers very little education on the creatures, potions, and other dangers one may be up against. Beauxbatons also places heavy emphasis on defense rather than offense (or a balance) and only using the necessary amount of force or magic to get the job done and leave the fight with minimal damage to both parties.
- Beauxbatons offers many specialized classes on divination, unlike Hogwarts which primarily has a survey class that covers multiple forms over the course. Students can take a survey class as their introduction and can then choose specialized classes in later years - so rather than spending, say, a month on tessomancy, they could spend an entire term on it!
- Beauxbatons' Magical Creatures offers a more balanced approach; most classes are half theory in the classroom and half field work on the grounds or in the stables/aviaries. This is because Hogwarts focuses more on caring for magical creatures while Beauxbatons focuses more on learning and researching about them.
- Flying classes are offered past first year and involve complicated maneuvers and tips for making long flights more comfortable and practical.
- Beauxbatons students write their O.W.L.s in their sixth year, rather than their fifth.
- Beauxbatons offers additional electives including but not limited to: Wizarding Law, Alchemy, and Research Methods.
- As mentioned before, students take practical classes in their style specializations as well.
Now that we've discussed class differences a little, you may choose ONE of the following three Beauxbatons mini-lectures to sit in on.