Key facts
UNE unit code: HIST303
*You are viewing the 2027 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Not offered in 2027
- Yes
- Yes
- No
- 6
Unit information
Witchcraft is a cognitive construct useful for developing a deeper understanding and interpretation of the European later Middle Ages. It was an idea which shaped reality and a reality which formed ideas.
In their struggle to establish social order, ecclesiastical and secular authorities invented and then sought to repress witches. This unit analyses the invention of witchcraft, its subsequent regulation, detection, prosecution, and the punishment of early modern Europe’s most alarming miscreants, based upon surviving documents.
The study of witchcraft in its historical context involves considerations of sex, demonology, theology and law. The unit introduces you to the documentary evidence for the phenomenon of witchcraft in its several dimensions, with a focus on the use and interpretation of those primary sources. It also provides the opportunity for you to develop your critical, historical and reflective thinking skills.
Intensive schools
| Start | Finish | Duration | Attendance | Offerings | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TBA | TBA | 5 days | Non-Mandatory Intensive School | All offerings | Dates to be advised. Both on campus and online students are strongly encouraged to attend the intensive school in Armidale. This will involve an entire trimesters program of lectures, tutorials and workshops. An announcement will be made about the Residential School and sent to all students enrolled in History awards and cognate degrees approximately 3-4 months in advance. Those indicating interest in attending will be provided with the readings shortly thereafter. A minimum number of students will be required in order for the intensive school to proceed and those students will be notified four weeks prior to commencement. If the intensive school will not proceed, alternative arrangements for study will be made. The deadline for late registrations is two weeks prior to the start of the Residential School. For further details about any of the foregoing, please contact the Unit Coordinator below. |
Enrolment rules
Notes
(Only when available in Trimester 3) Both on campus and online students are encouraged to attend the intensive school which will cover the entire trimesters work. This will involve face-to-face lectures and tutorials.
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- demonstrate critical, historical and reflective thinking;
- demonstrate a broad and coherent body of knowledge of the historiography of witchcraft in Europe in the later middle ages;
- analyse primary source documents and present a clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and ideas;
- discriminate amongst the crucial developments in the evolution of witchcraft and demonstrate an understanding of the topic as an historical issue in the sense of seeing witch hunting as a cognitive construct for understanding medieval Europe;
- apply critical thinking skills and an understanding of historical events, persons and ideas to explain their significance in the development of witch hunting; and
- apply well developed cognitive skills and judgement to compare the early modern phenomenon with the modern world: ie McCarthyism, the post-9/11 world, and the 'war on terror'.
Assessment information
Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
| Title | Must Complete | Weight | Offerings | Assessment Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 | Yes | 50% | All offerings | Alternative assessment and flexible due dates in consultation with the Unit Coordinator may include, but not limited to the following: essay; take-home examination; presentation; special project; or other research-based outcome. No. Words: 2500 |
| Assessment 2 | Yes | 50% | All offerings | Alternative assessment and flexible due dates in consultation with the Unit Coordinator may include, but not limited to the following: essay; take-home examination; presentation; special project; or other research-based outcome. No. Words: 2500 |
Learning resources
Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
The Witch-Hunt in Early Modern Europe
ISBN: 9781138808102
Levack, B.P., Routledge 4th ed. 2015
Text refers to: All offerings
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