Special Subject: Witches and Witch-Hunts (V1473)

15 credits, Level 6

Autumn teaching

On this module, you’ll examine witchcraft beliefs and the witch-hunts that occurred across Europe and Colonial America between 1500 and 1750. You’ll consider the origins of medieval witchcraft beliefs, as well as the legacy of supernatural beliefs in the modern world.

There were an estimated 100,000 trials of witchcraft in the early modern period, and almost half the number of executions. Witch-hunts were overwhelmingly directed against women, but it was not solely a female crime. One quarter of witchcraft trials in Germany and over 95% of witchcraft trials in Iceland were accusations against men.

How can we explain the gendering of witchcraft beliefs? How can we explore the psychological complexities of the witchcraft trial including the motives of the interrogators, the role of torture, and the emotions of the accused? Why did some people voluntarily confess to this crime, and how did others avoid the stake, as almost half of accused witches did? Did stereotypes of the witch match up to the reality of those who were accused?

In Part A of the module, you’ll explore key topics and themes such as:

  • the origins of the diabolical pact
  • the gendering of witchcraft
  • male witches
  • youth and old age
  • emotions and witchcraft
  • methodologies for reading witch-trials
  • witchcraft in the early modern community.

You’ll examine a range of primary sources, including:

  • trial transcripts and pamphlets
  • demonological treatises
  • visual representations of the witch.

In Part B, you’ll continue to explore these key themes through a variety of case studies, including:

  • the witch-hunts in England
  • the Salem witch panic
  • demonic possession
  • witchcraft in literature and the stage
  • the material culture of witchcraft.

Assessment

100%: Coursework (Essay)

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 300 hours of work. This breaks down into about 44 hours of contact time and about 256 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We鈥檙e planning to run these modules in the academic year 2026/27. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We鈥檒l make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

Courses

This module is offered on the following courses: