Lewd Women and Wicked Witches by Marianne Hester

This course will take a comparative and, when possible, multidisciplinary approach to a wide range of topics concerning magic and witchcraft in medieval and early modern Europe. Satisfies: 'Medieval History' or 'Early Modern History' core course requirement for History majors

Students will thus be helped to frame magic and witchcraft in their historical, anthropological, environmental, sociological, and intellectual contexts, and to enrich their understanding the evolution of medieval and early modern European societies and cultures. Students will analyze primary sources in English, such as early literary texts elaborating on witchīeliefs, the infamous handbook for inquisitors, Hammer of Witches, the records of early modern trials, and intellectual reflections on the reality or otherwise of magic and witchcraft, and a variety of contemporary historiographical explanations. This course examines the rise and decline of beliefs in magic and witchcraft – the supposed power of humans to intervene in natural events and to harm others by supernatural means – in medieval and early modern Europe, up to the outburst of the so-called “witch craze.” It studies social, cultural, literary, judicial, religious, gender, economic, and environmental aspects of these beliefs, and their roots in such things as classical Greek and Roman literary traditions and popular folklore. COURSE NAME: ' Magic and Witchcraft in Medieval and Early Modern Europe'

Lewd Women and Wicked Witches by Marianne Hester