Gwybodaeth Modiwlau
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 18 x 50 minute lectures delivered twice a week Lectures (2 a week): 1. Introduction: definitions and sources 2. Traditions of magic: northern Europe 3. Traditions of magic: Greco-Roman heritage 4. Traditions of magic: the Jewish sphere 5. Traditions of magic: the Muslim spere 6. Legislation against magical practices 7. Magic at Court 8. Clerical Magic 9. Magical Medicine 10. Witchcraft accusations 11. The Inquisition 1 12. The Inquisition 2 13. Jews and Templars 14. The witch figure in fiction and reality 15. Magic as entertainment 16. Magic and experimental science 17. Magic and Miracle 18. Conclusions |
| Seminars / Tutorials | 5 x 50 minute fortnightly seminars 1 essay tutorial (15 minutes) Seminars (fortnightly): 1. Legal Sources 2. Magic in Daily Life 3. Conjuring Demons: A Manual 4. Case study of a witch trial 5. Magic, Science and Religion |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Semester Assessment 1 x 2,500 words essays | 30% |
| Semester Exam | 2 Hours Semester Examination 2 hour closed examination | 70% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Supplementary Assessment Submit any missing or failed written work | 30% |
| Supplementary Exam | 2 Hours Supplementary Examination 2 hour closed examination | 70% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Students are expected to note and respond to historical problems and to undertake appropriate research for seminars and the essay.
Students will be required to read a wide range of texts and evaluate their usefulness to specific reseach questions. Research for coursework and the written examination will help them improve their research skills.
This module will help students develop their listening and note taking skills during the lectures; they will demonstrate and develop the ability to communicate ideas in the essay. Skills in oral presentation will be developed in seminars but are not formally assessed.
Students are encouraged to make use of advice given in the individual tutorial for essay feedback on how to improve research and communication skills
Students will be expected to play an active part in group activities (e.g. short group presentations in seminars) and to learn to evaluate their own contribution to such activities.
Students will develop a range of transferable skills, including time management and communication skills, which may help them identify their personal strengths as they begin to consider potential career paths.
Students will develop awareness of appropriate sources and historical literature associated with the study of late medieval and early modern belief systems.
Brief description
This module examines the role of magic and witchcraft in European society from the fifteenth to the seventeenth century. Using diverse primary sources, ranging from court records and inquisitorial literature to manuals for the conjuration of demons, it aims to explore what people at the time perceived to be magic and witchcraft, how they legislated and tried to protect themselves against it, and how, and for what purpose, they attempted to practice it. The module will study the traditions (classical, Arabic, Judaeo-Christian and pre-Christian) underlying medieval and early-modern concepts of magic and the different ‘branches’ of magic, such as alchemy, necromancy, witchcraft and magical medicine. It will offer discussion on perceptions of the witch figure and on the boundaries between magic, science and religion.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | n/a |
| Communication | This module will help students develop their listening and note taking skills during the lectures; they will demonstrate and develop the ability to communicate ideas in the essay. Skills in oral presentation will be developed in seminars but are not formally assessed. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Students are encouraged to make use of advice given in the individual tutorial for essay feedback on how to improve research and communication skills |
| Information Technology | Students will be encouraged to locate suitable material on the web and to apply it appropriately to their own work. Students will also be encouraged to word-process their work and make use of Blackboard. These skills will not be formally assessed |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Students will develop a range of transferable skills, including time management and communication skills, which may help them identify their personal strengths as they begin to consider potential career paths. |
| Problem solving | Students are expected to note and respond to historical problems and to undertake appropriate research for seminars and the essay. |
| Research skills | Students will be required to read a wide range of texts and evaluate their usefulness to specific reseach questions. Research for coursework and the written examination will help them improve their research skills. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Students will develop awareness of appropriate sources and historical literature associated with the study of late medieval and early modern belief systems. |
| Team work | Students will be expected to play an active part in group activities (e.g. short group presentations in seminars) and to learn to evaluate their own contribution to such activities. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 4