WITCHES AND EUROPEAN HISTORY, 1500-1800

Catalog description

This course explores 15th through 17th century European witch hunts and their decline during the 18th century through lecture and class discussions of both primary and secondary sources. The course has four parts. Part one investigates the development of notions of diabolical witchcraft from the ancient world. Part two examines the intellectual, gender, religious, social and legal backgrounds that helped cause witch hunts. Part three explores the dynamics of witchcraft trials. Part four explores the decline of witchcraft.