HS3T25: Medieval Magic and the Origins of the Witch-Craze

Module code: HS3T25

Module provider: History; School of Humanities

Credits: 20

Level: Level 3 (Honours)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Professor Anne Lawrence, email: a.e.mathers-lawrence@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

Part 3 Options involve the study of specific periods, subjects or types of History. This option aims to give students an understanding of medieval practices and theories of magic, together with the social contexts within which they developed and were welcomed or repressed.

This module will:

• Survey the history of magic, starting with the preconceptions passed on from biblical and classical models and ending with the early-modern concept of the witch;
• Reflect on the ways in which both religious and scientific ideas supported the concept of magic; and;
• Consider how historians have understood the relationship between medieval magic and the onset of the witch-craze.

The purpose of the module is to develop sophisticated understandings of the interrelationship of religion, science and society, together with an appreciation of the historiographical controversies surrounding the reality of medieval magic and the causes of the witch-craze.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Acquire a detailed knowledge of these through extensive reading in specialised literature
2. Locate and assemble information on the subject by independent research
3. Appraise critically the primary sources and historical interpretations of the subject
4. Organise material and articulate arguments effectively, both orally and in writing

Module content

The period from c.1100 to c.1500 saw important and influential changes in the conception of, and reaction to, magic and witchcraft. The Church moved from regarding belief in magic as a popular superstition to declaring that failure to believe in witchcraft and its dangers was heretical. This module looks at the key points in this development in both Britain and Europe.

Chronicles, law-codes, miracle stories and treatises on the practical performance of magical rituals will be examined for the range of beliefs and practices which contributed to magic and witchcraft in the medieval period.  The module will culminate in an examination of the notorious, and influential, ‘Hammer of Witches’ (c1500). Political aspects of witchcraft, and the changes in the nature and functions of witchcraft accusations across the medieval period will be analysed, in order to understand the origins of the phenomenon of the witch-craze.

Issues of gender, class and ethnic stereotyping will also be considered, in appropriate styles.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Introductory, informal ‘lectures’ will deliver surveys of key issues, concepts and historiographical contributions.

The main method of teaching and learning will be seminars, for which students must carry out directed, preparatory reading and research.  Seminars will include structured group discussion and may also include: seminar papers by students; discussion of evidence; team-based exercises and debates.

Other methods will include: online exercises, such as group discussion of primary sources and of allocated articles and independent study.

Study hours

At least 35 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs