MO3048 Witches and Witch-hunting in Early Modern Europe

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 9

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

TBC

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Prof B M Heal

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Professor Bridget Heal

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module will investigate the ways in which the 'witch' became a culturally significant figure in continental Europe between the fourteenth and seventeenth centuries, the object of intense legal, religious, political and cultural scrutiny and debate. Drawing on material from Germany, France, Italy and England the course will explain how and why the early modern period witnessed a 'witchcraze', a period of unprecedented persecution. It will ask how ideas about witchcraft and magic were shaped by the religious, social and political upheavals of the period. Throughout, it will draw on a wide variety of primary source material, both textual and visual.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS AT LEAST 60 CREDITS FROM {MO1007, MO1008, MO2008, HI2001, MH2002}

Assessment pattern

60% Coursework 40% Examination (1x2-hour paper)

Re-assessment

4,000-word essay = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 x 2-hour seminar, plus 1 office hour.

Scheduled learning hours

22

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

278

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.