KULH1050 – Witchcraft and Magic

Course content

Lectures and seminars are given in English. All parts of the exam may be taken either in English or a Scandinavian language.

This course will look at aspects of the cultural history of magic with a focus on the period of the witch hunts in early modern Europe. It will explore how conceptions of magic, witchcraft and trolldom changed over time; how they were put to use in philosophical reflections, demonological manuals, legislative texts and oral traditions; and how these ideas became social realities.

From the 1500’s, combating witchcraft with legislation and judicial prosecution became an important concern for authorities all over Europe. Witchcraft trials consequently became a nexus between law, theology and the culture of the common people. In this course, the students will study the cultural and social basis of this development, and get to know a selection of Norwegian witchcraft trials. The students will also be introduced to the later redefinitions of magic expressed in modern occultism and neopaganism.

Learning outcome

Upon successful completion of the course, students are able to

  • demonstrate an orientational knowledge in the history of magic and witchcraft in Europe, and are able to discuss historical implications of critical terms like magic, witchcraft, trolldom, esotericism, and occultism.
  • identify different approaches to historiography and interpretation in the academic study of magic and witchcraft.
  • perform a source critical contextualisation of a historical case example, by phrasing a precise question and employing an adequate historiographical approach.
  • carry out team work and give oral presentations.

Admission

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Prerequisites

Recommended previous knowledge

Sufficient reading skills in English

Teaching

Lectures and seminars are given in English and supervision is offered in both English and Norwegian. The curriculum is in English with an optional choice of Norwegian source material that can be used in the exams.

The course is based on a combination of lectures and seminars. The teaching format has the goal of activating the students in the learning process, to give ongoing feedback on academic progress and understanding, as well as to make the individual student’s progression visible to him/her.

Obligatory coursework

Attendance at seminars (minimum 75% attendance) and the submitting of a qualifying exercise are obligatory and part of the assessment. The obligatory coursework is required in order to be admitted to the exam. In case of sickness, documentation is required from a doctor. The qualifying exercise is conducted in a group work and consists of a written and oral presentation. Deadlines and content will be provided at the start of the teaching term.

All obligatory coursework must be approved in order to qualify for the exam. It is the student’s responsibility to check whether or not the obligatory coursework have been approved. This is how you apply for valid absence from obligatory activities/obligatory attendance.

Access to teaching

A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursewo