| Unit name | Witchcraft in English Literature (Level C Special Topic) |
|---|---|
| Unit code | HIST14016 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | C/4 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Department of History (Historical Studies) |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
We are all familiar with the stereotypical representation of the witch and, with the advent of the Harry Potter phenomenon, we continue to be fascinated by these figures. Pointed hats, broomsticks, black cats and cauldrons are part of an image that young and old still both love and fear - to this day influencing such diverse outputs as the child-friendly 'Worst Witch' to the terrifying 'Blair Witch'. But where have our contemporary perceptions come from?
This unit intends to discover and analyse historical representations of witchcraft through the wealth of literature that has been written on the subject in England since the Early Modern period. Through close engagement with a diverse range of sources, the unit aims to develop an understanding of, amongst others, the changing legal and social positioning of witchcraft as demonstrated in the contemporary literary world. Additionally, it will attempt to address how far English witchcraft writing was influenced by Continental factors, and also to establish how far life influenced art, and vice versa.
This Special Topic will make use of a wide range of literary sources, including treatises, pamphlets, drama and news articles.
10 x 2- hour seminars
1 x 2 hour exam
