Wizard Taxonomy: Magical Beasts and How to Classify Them

IMPORTANT: Due to low enrollments in the live classes, I encourage you to consider taking the “flex” version of this class. It contains the same content and can be taken on a flexible schedule. What’s more, I offer a “pay what you can” discount for all flex classes! Just sign up for the class and then send a message requesting your preferred discount. Here’s a link to the flex version of this course:

https://outschool.com/classes/10-week-flex-class-wizard-taxonomy-magical-beasts-and-how-to-classify-them-FiyM9ZJE


▬▬▬▬▬▬  COURSE SUMMARY  ▬▬▬▬▬▬

Do magical creatures fit neatly into the taxonomic structures we've designed? 

In this class, we'll discuss and critically examine the magical creatures found in wizardry. We'll attempt the biological classification of magical plants and animals. We'll study the traits and behaviors of different groups of living things, and how these groups are divided into categories for biologists to study. We'll learn the usefulness of cladograms for classification (as well as the downfalls of the current classification system). We will also explore the mythological inspirations for some of these creatures. 

Students will also try their hand at designing at least three of their own fantastic creatures, brainstorm how their beast compares to a real living thing, and present their creations to the class.


▬▬▬▬▬▬   COURSE OUTLINE   ▬▬▬▬▬▬

Week 1: Criteria for "life," non-living creatures in the wizard world, introduction to taxonomy.
              Creatures included: animated magical objects, ghosts, zombies, boggarts, etc.

Week 2: Kingdoms of life, plant kingdom, fungi kingdom 
              Plants and Fungi included: toadstools, mistletoe, dittany, mandrakes, etc.

Week 3: Phyla of the animal kingdom, phylum Mollusca, phylum Annelida (molluscs, squid, worms)
              Creatures included: chitons, slugs, giant squids, tardigrades, etc.

Week 4: Phylum Arthropoda (insects, spiders, crabs, lobsters, etc.)
              Creatures included: stick insects, doxies, giant dung beetles, amblypigis, crabs, etc.

Week 5: Intro to phylum Chordata, class Pisces, class Amphibia (fish and amphibians)
              Creatures included: zouwu, kelpie, merpeople, sea serpents, fire salamander, kappa, etc.

Week 6: Class Reptilia (reptiles)
              Creatures included: dragons, chupacabra, basilisk, horned serpent, etc.

Week 7: Class Aves (birds)
              Creatures included: ravens, snallygaster, basan rooster, griffin, hippogriff, thunderbird, etc.

Week 8: Intro to Class Mammalia, order Carnivora  (hoofed mammals and large carnivores)
              Creatures included: hodag, cerberus, werewolf, chimera, manticore, wampus cat, etc.

Week 9: Order Artiodactyla, order Perrisodactyla, order Primates (monkeys, apes, humanoid magical creatures)
              Creatures included: leucrotta, winged horses, centaur, unicorn, gnome, goblin, etc.

Week 10: All other mammal orders, unclassified mammals, miscellaneous creatures.
              Creatures included: duckbilled platypus, echidna, marsupials, aardvark, sloth, etc.


▬▬▬▬▬▬   MORE WIZARD CLASSES  ▬▬▬▬▬▬

Are you interested in more classes involving the wizard world? Check out this list of all of the related classes I offer!

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐖𝐚𝐫 𝐈𝐈 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝
Live: https://outschool.com/classes/world-war-ii-and-the-wizard-world-0aFowJzW#uscBKeyeSs
Flex: https://outschool.com/classes/world-war-ii-and-the-wizard-world-PP9y5Ppx#uscBKeyeSs

𝐀𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲, 𝐀𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐌𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝
Live: https://outschool.com/classes/astronomy-astrology-and-greek-mythology-in-the-wizard-world-I6ASpogH#uscBKeyeSs
Flex: 
https://outschool.com/classes/astronomy-astrology-and-greek-mythology-in-the-wizard-world-rXaLKRaI#uscBKeyeSs

𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐖𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬
Live: https://outschool.com/classes/christmas-traditions-for-british-wizards-ynMStaxW#uscBKeyeSs
Flex:
https://outschool.com/classes/christmas-traditions-for-british-wizards-EX235MUj#uscBKeyeSs

𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 (𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐱 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲)
https://outschool.com/classes/geology-of-the-british-isles-for-wizards-ZFP9pyHl#uscBKeyeSs

𝐖𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐓𝐚𝐱𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲: 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐟𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦 (𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐱 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲)
https://outschool.com/classes/wizard-taxonomy-magical-beasts-and-how-to-classify-them-FiyM9ZJE#uscBKeyeSs

𝐖𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐯𝐬. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐬: 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬 (𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐱 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲)
https://outschool.com/classes/wizard-world-vs-star-wars-common-literary-themes-zjkOdBhu#uscBKeyeSs