[DADA] Information & Syllabus

Welcome to Defence Against the Dark Arts Class In this class you will be taught essential skills to defend yourself and others against the darker aspects of the world.  During the course of the year you will learn how to respond to a variety of dangers including attack by a fellow wizard / witch, altercations with magical creatures as well as accidental and natural disasters.  Professor Becker's goal is to provide you with the tools you need to survive any situation. Professor Information Professor Graeme "Beck" Becker DADA Professor Ex-Auror Owner / Operator of Becker Premium Security Services Author of "Home Security & You - A Simple Guide to Defensive Spells and Enchantments" Class Schedule and Topics Part One ~ September to December ~ *Defence Essentials - Protective Spells and Enchantments for Non-Aggressive Solutions Part Two ~ January to April ~ *An Introduction to Duelling - Key Strategy and Tactics for Outwitting Your Opponent *Coping in a Crisis - Identifying and Responding to Hazards Part Three ~ April to June ~ *Dealing with Magical Creatures - The Good, The Bad, The Pesky DADA is held on Monday's, Wednesday's and Friday's as per your individual class time tables. Professor Becker will also hold study hall sessions on Tuesday and Thursday evenings for those students wishing to practice their skills.  PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU ARE NOT TO PRACTICE DEFENCE AGAINST THE DARK ARTS SPELLS OR TECHNIQUES WITHOUT THE SUPERVISION OF A TEACHER. If you require additional time to practice outside of class or scheduled study sessions, please approach Professor Becker for his availability. If you are particularly struggling with DADA, Professor Becker can provide private tutoring on request. For those with a competitive spirit or wishing to earn extra credit, stay tuned for extracurricular activities throughout the year. Eligible 7th Year students (i.e. acheiving "E" or "O" grades) can apply to receive the BPSS (Becker Premium Security Services) Certificate of Excellence.  This certificate will provide a boost to your resume, particularly for those interested in obtaining work in the security industry.  Please note that applications and testing will be undertaken outside of class hours.  See Professor Becker with any questions. Classroom Rules 1.) Please be on time for class.  (Reasonable excuses will be considered but dishonesty will not be tolerated.) 2.) Follow the instructions of your Professor at all times.  If you do not understand a direction, speak up.  Ignorance is no excuse for failing to follow instructions. 3.) Keep your Professor appraised of your skills and knowledge.  If you consider yourself already proficient at something brought up in class, please advise.  The Professor is happy to provide more challenging tasks or tailored coursework for advanced students 4.) Do not intentionally or recklessly place yourself or others at risk.  The utmost care will be taken by your Professor to ensure your safety - however, danger can be present in even the most innocuous of situations.  Any student who is considered to be endangering the class will be severely reprimanded. 5.) Cooperate with your classmates.  Once you enter the classroom you are part of the same squad.  Leave your house politics and personal differences outside the door.  You will be expected to act as team mates and help take care of each other.  6.) Magic may only be used on your fellow students in the classroom environment - with their consent and the permission of your teacher.  DADA is not here to teach you how to be a bully.  Misuse of these skills will bring about serious consequences.  7.) Do not bring food or drink to class (unless you have enough for everyone).

OOC Information About Beck Professor Becker is happy to also be addressed as:- Professor Beck, Prof, Beck, Becky... He rarely goes by Graeme except for the most formal of situations or with immediate family. (It would be quite inappropriate for any student to call him "Babyface") Beck is not necessarily going to be sensitive to your students feelings.  I encourage you to have them respond naturally to the events in class - some lessons may be confronting or scary for some students - but be aware that Beck is not the type to hold their hand.  He's here to teach them about survival, not coddle them. Beck loves curiosity, creativity and "out of the box" thinking.  Do not hesitate to go off topic in class if it would be appropriate for your character.  Students can discuss any subjects with him.  There's really no such thing as a stupid question and he will never punish someone for having an inquisitive mind. Beck is pretty laid back and is not likely to respond harshly to minor misbehaviours.  However, if he catches your character in a lie they will end up on his bad side. Beck has not included his own book ("Home Security & You - A Simple Guide to Defensive Spells and Enchantments") as compulsory reading but he will be impressed if your character has made the effort to read it. (Your characters are welcome to make fun of him, if that would be natural for them!) Some Guidelines 1.) Please obey Magical Hogwarts Basic Rules & Regulations. 2.) Try to keep the format and colouring of your posts simple.  Please refrain from using flashy text that may be disruptive to readers. 3.) Please check canon sources where possible for information on creatures and use of spells.  Beck will try to provide sufficient guidance but if you are unsure about anything, please contact me. 4.) Be considerate to your fellow drivers.  Beck will generally provide multiple opportunities in his posts for students to interact with him directly - please feel free to use these openings but do not hog them all to yourself.  (Or do - and Beck will have to put your character in their place.)  You're also welcome to create your own interactions with him (just try not to contradict anything already written). 5.) Do not hesitate to jump in whenever you like.  We can pretend your student has been there the whole time   I will have Beck make a post wrapping up the lesson when I feel it has been running for too long but you can still post for your characters participation - you'll just miss out on actively interacting with Beck and the extra points you could have earned in doing so. 6.) The more you post and the more effort you put into your posts, the more points your character will earn for their house and the better their grade will be.

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