HIST * 3140 – Witch-hunts and Popular Culture S (3-0) [0.50]

This course will explore the phenomenon of the ‘witch-hunts’ in early modern Europe through a focus on Scotland in the period 1560-1700. In doing so it will provide students with a background on the history of Scotland during the early modern period and introduce them to the considerable body of historical writing on the subject of the witch-hunts. In addition, students will explore notions of both elite culture and the ‘popular culture’ of those elements of society frequently neglected by historians. Due to the fact that the overwhelming majority of the accused witches were women, the course will include examinations of gender history and its contributions to our understandings of the period. (Offered through Distance Education format only.)