Deckblatt BCE 2009_2010_neu - University of Luxembourg ...

Magic and Witchcraft from a Historical and Anthropological Perspective (en)Module Module 7.2 – Semester 3ECTS D 9 ECTS S 3 ECTSTutorEva Jullien / Sonja Kmec / Sophie NeuenkirchRequirements /LearningOutcomesCourseDescriptionType of CourseReadingAt the end of this course, students should be able to- critically assess primary and secondary sources on witchcraft- use historical and anthropological methodology- argue based on historical and anthropological theories about the origins and functionsof religious beliefs and practices.Magic, defined as “the art that purports to control or forecast natural events, effects, or forcesby invoking the supernatural” (http://www.yourdictionary.com), has been analysed byhistorians as well as anthropologists. The phenomenon is not limited to the early modernEurope, but can also be observed in various forms and guises in today’s societies all over theworld. This course examines “magic” and social strategies linked to its (alleged) practice anddenounciation. The origins, legal framework, ideological construction and social conditions ofthe early modern witchcraft trials will be examined in detail. We will use methods of historicalcriticism to assess primary sources and learn to differentiate different historiographical trends.The influence of anthropology and the methods used by social scientists to understand anddescribe “enchanted worlds” in colonial and postcolonial settings will be a second major strandof this course. Finally, we will examine how “witchcraft” is being portrayed in literature andpopular culture to address other issues (McCarthyism, the surveillance state, feminism,ecologism…).Seminar, 60 hours (4 hours/week)Behringer, Wolfgang: Hexen. Glaube, Verfolgung, Vermarktung. Munich 2009 (5 th ed.)Briggs, Robin: Witches and Neighbours: The Social and Cultural Context of European Witchcraft.Oxford 2002 (2 nd ed.)Geschiere, Peter: The modernity of witchcraft. Politics and the occult in post‐colonial Africa.Charlottesville (VA) 1997.Greenwood, Susan: The Anthropology of Magic. Oxford / New York 2009.Rummel, Walter / Voltmer, Rita: Hexen und Hexenverfolgung in der Frühen Neuzeit (GeschichteKompakt). Darmstadt 2008.AssessmentDAttendance and participation: 10%;Reading Reactions: 20%; ClassPresentation: 30%; Final Paper: 40%SAttendance and participation: 10%;Reading Reactions (short essays): 90%Moodle Course IDBCE‐Hist‐305‐0437