Ritual, Myth and Magic in Early Modern Europe - University of Reading
Ritual, Myth and Magic in Early Modern Europe - University of Reading
Ritual, Myth and Magic in Early Modern Europe - University of Reading
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3<br />
Module title: <strong>Ritual</strong>, <strong>Myth</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Magic</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>Early</strong> <strong>Modern</strong><br />
<strong>Europe</strong>, B<br />
Module code: HS3S55<br />
Provid<strong>in</strong>g Department: History<br />
Level: H Number <strong>of</strong> credits: 20<br />
Terms <strong>in</strong> which taught: Autumn & Spr<strong>in</strong>g Module convenor: Dr Helen Parish<br />
Pre-requisites: None Co-requisites: None<br />
Modules excluded: None Current from: 2002-03<br />
Aims:<br />
Specials aim to provide ‗h<strong>and</strong>s-on‘ experience <strong>of</strong> the historian‘s task through close<br />
exam<strong>in</strong>ation <strong>and</strong> evaluation <strong>of</strong> primary sources <strong>and</strong> the light they shed on issues <strong>and</strong><br />
problems. This particular module focuses on the rituals <strong>and</strong> beliefs which<br />
characterised the culture <strong>of</strong> early modern <strong>Europe</strong>.<br />
Assessable outcomes:<br />
By the end <strong>of</strong> the module it is expected that the student will be able to:<br />
achieve a detailed comm<strong>and</strong> <strong>of</strong> the themes, events <strong>and</strong> eras studied<br />
locate <strong>and</strong> assemble <strong>in</strong>formation on the subject by <strong>in</strong>dependent research<br />
organise material <strong>and</strong> articulate arguments effectively <strong>in</strong> writ<strong>in</strong>g<br />
deploy primary materials to shed light on the issues <strong>and</strong> problems be<strong>in</strong>g studied.<br />
Additional outcomes:<br />
This module also aims to encourage the development <strong>of</strong> oral communication skills<br />
<strong>and</strong> the student‘s effectiveness <strong>in</strong> group situations. Students will also develop their IT<br />
skills by use <strong>of</strong> relevant web resources.<br />
Outl<strong>in</strong>e content:<br />
Religious upheaval <strong>and</strong> political change <strong>in</strong> the 16 th <strong>and</strong> 17 th centuries had a dramatic<br />
impact upon <strong>Europe</strong>an culture, <strong>and</strong> upon the beliefs <strong>and</strong> practices <strong>of</strong> <strong>Europe</strong>an<br />
populations. This module will exam<strong>in</strong>e the place <strong>of</strong> ritual, myth, <strong>and</strong> magic <strong>in</strong> popular<br />
cultures <strong>in</strong> the early modern period, <strong>and</strong> analyse the way <strong>in</strong> which the people <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Europe</strong> viewed, <strong>and</strong> attempted to <strong>in</strong>fluence, the world around them. The impact <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Protestant Reformation <strong>and</strong> Catholic reform on popular culture will be exam<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong><br />
depth, alongside a study <strong>of</strong> the chang<strong>in</strong>g nature <strong>of</strong> the ritual year, the calendar by<br />
which communities measured the passage <strong>of</strong> time. Consideration will also be given to<br />
beliefs <strong>in</strong> magic <strong>and</strong> witchcraft, the persecution <strong>of</strong> witches <strong>in</strong> the early modern period,<br />
<strong>and</strong> the chang<strong>in</strong>g patterns <strong>of</strong> belief.
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