WST 455 - American Context of Wi t c h c r a f t

Institution:

University of Southern Maine

Subject:

Description:

Beginning with a detailed study of the Salem witch trials and moving through the 19th century into the present, this course investigates the American contexts of witchcraft in several historical periods as well as contemporary representations and practices of witchcraft. The image of the witch addresses the ways in which powerful institutions criminalize, ostracize, and sometimes mobilize figures of resisstance and obscurity. Afocus on witches and witchcraft presents many opportunities through which to study some of the social, economic, and religious forces that shaped various discussions and practices linked to gender and sexuality; therefore the course draws on many disciplines to interrogate the cultural "work" of the witch. The first part of the course isdedicated to a study of the 1692 witchcraft "outbreak"in Salem. The last section of the course will examine popular images of the witch as they emerge in various genres and media: prose, poetry, drama, film, and television. Cr 3.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.usm.maine.edu

Phone Number:

(207) 780-4141

Regional Accreditation:

New England Association of Schools and Colleges

Calendar System:

Semester

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