Unit information: Witchcraft Through the Ages (Level C Special Topic) in 2010/11

Unit name	Witchcraft Through the Ages (Level C Special Topic)
Unit code	HIST14024
Credit points	20
Level of study	C/4
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Emeritus Professor. Pemberton
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None.
School/department	Department of History (Historical Studies)
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

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 in England since the Early Modern period. Through close engagement with a diverse range of sources, the unit aims to develop an understanding of the issues surrounding the subject, and how these have evolved over the years. It will make use of a wide range sources, including treatises, pamphlets, drama, news articles, art and media.

Aims:

• To place students in direct contact with the current research interests of the academic tutor

• To enable students to explore issues surrounding the state of research into the history of witchcraft in England

• To introduce students to working with primary sources

• To introduce students to issues relating to setting primary sources in their wider context

• To introduce students to the practice of learning independently within a small-group context.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the unit students should have:

• deepened their understanding of current historical research into the history of witchcraft in England

• learned how to work with primary sources

• developed their skills in contributing to and learning from a small-group environment.

Teaching Information

• Weekly 2-hour seminar

• Tutorial feedback on essay

• Access to tutorial consultation with unit tutor in office hours

Assessment Information

1 x 2 hour exam

Reading and References

• Barry, J., Hester, H. & Roberts, G. (eds) Witchcraft in Early Modern Europe (1996)

• Clark, S. Thinking with Demons: the Idea of Witchcraft in Early Modern Europe (1997)

• Davies, Owen, Witchcraft, Magic and Culture, 1736-1951 (1999)

• Gibson, Marion, Reading Witchcraft: Stories of Early English Witches (1999)

• Levack, B.P. The Witch-Hunt in Early Modern Europe (2006)

• Sharpe, J. Witchcraft in Early Modern England (2001)