Teaching Citizenship in the 5-14 Curriculum using
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Citizenship Issues
in Harry Potter

Diversity

Bullying

Human Rights

Legal Issues

Ethics

Links and References

Bullying and Conflict Resolution

Bullying

When does bullying become discrimination?

  • Pupils bullying pupils (Harry, Ron and Hermione bullied by Malfoy; Neville Longbottom bullied by everyone?)
  • Teachers bullying pupils (Snape bullying Harry, Hermione and Neville)
  • Adults bullying adults (Snape bullied by Potter, Lupin, Black and Pettigrew)

Is it right that the film shows using violence against bullies? Is this a bad example to young viewers?

Childline Bullying website

BBC Newsround Bullying website

Malfoy: [outside the shrieking shack to Ron and Hermione] Well, well. Look who's here - you two shopping for your new dream home?

Professor Snape: That is the second time you have spoken out of turn, Miss Granger. Are you incapable of restraining yourself, or do you take pride in being an insufferable know-it-all?
Ron: He's got a point, you know.

Harry: [reading from the map] "Messrs Mooney, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs, offer their compliments to Professor Snape and request that he keep his abnormally large nose out of other people's business."

 

Ron Longbottom is insulted by everyone. Is this teasing or bullying?

Harry: What's the holdup?
Ron: Neville's probably forgotten the password again or something.
Neville Longbottom: [behind them] Hey!
Ron: Oh... You're there.

 

Female role models in the media and female empowerment

Hermione punches Malfoy, shoves Harry and slaps his hand, has good aim when throwing stones, and is leading Harry when they are chased. She takes charge of the situation.

Was Hermione right to retaliate and punch Malfoy?

Is Hermione a good role model? Compare with other female role models in the media for example Buffy?

Malfoy: Ahh, come to watch the show?
Hermione: YOU FOUL, LOATHSOME, EVIL LITTLE COCKROACH!
[Hermione raises wand at Malfoy]
Ron: Hermione, no. He's not worth it.
[Hermione lowers wand. Malfoy laughs and then Hermione socks him in the nose. Malfoy and friends run away]
Hermione: That felt good.
Ron: Not good, brilliant

Harry: Nice punch.
Hermione: Thanks.

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Page created by K. Farrell, J.A. Kemp, Y. Mitchell, and J. Norman, June 2005