HIST 216 Witchcraft & Witch-Hunting
Between 1450 and 1750, European authorities engaged in witch-hunting in Europe and later in their overseas colonies. This class will explore the educated theories and popular beliefs regarding witchcraft, examine individual cases, and explore the actual and imagined practices identified as diabolical witchcraft by the hunters. We will read extensively in the new, contentious, and rich literature on witchcraft and witch-hunting. We also will work with descriptive and prescriptive primary sources. Student work will include review essays of the extant literature, an individual research project, a mid-term, and a final exam.