Short course: Witchcraft, Werewolves and Magic in European History

Description

This Historical Association short course is an introduction to European witchcraft history from the fifteenth century to the present. Using a range of primary sources, the course team will explore and discuss important themes and questions relating to witchcraft history. It will examine how witchcraft has been imagined and understood at different times and in different places, and why alleged witches were prosecuted. At the end of the course, participants will have a foundation for further reading and research.

Sessions include: 

• 10 September- The figure of the witch
• 24 September - Witchcraft imagery and gender
• 8 October - Demonology
• 22 October - Reading trial records
• 5 November - Witchcraft in Wales: from Ceridwen to Bella the fortune teller
• 19 November - Werewolves and male witches
• 3 December - Folkloric and fictional witches

Course leaders: 

• Dr Jonathan Durrant (University of South Wales)
• Dr Laura Kounine (University of Sussex),
• Dr Jan Machielsen (Cardiff University)
• Dr Lisa Tallis (Cardiff University - Special collections and archives)
• Dr Juliette Wood (the Folklore Society)

This course is free to all HA members, and available for a small charge to non-members. The introductory session will take place on 10 September.

Further information can be found on our course page here.