123424 SE Literary & Cultural Studies Seminar / BA Paper / MA British/Irish/New English (2015S)

Witches and Witchcraft in English Literature from the 16th to the 21st Century

11.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 12 - Anglistik

Continuous assessment of course work

Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Registration is open from Mo 09.02.2015 00:00 to Su 15.02.2015 23:59
Registration is open from Tu 24.02.2015 00:00 to Su 01.03.2015 23:59
Deregistration possible until Tu 31.03.2015 23:59

Details

max. 20 participants

Language: English

Lecturers

Franz-Karl Wöhrer

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

Wednesday 11.03. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 2 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-09
Wednesday 18.03. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 2 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-09
Wednesday 25.03. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 2 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-09
Wednesday 15.04. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 2 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-09
Wednesday 22.04. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 2 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-09
Wednesday 29.04. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 2 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-09
Wednesday 06.05. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 2 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-09
Wednesday 13.05. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 2 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-09
Wednesday 20.05. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 2 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-09
Wednesday 27.05. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 2 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-09
Wednesday 03.06. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 2 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-09
Wednesday 10.06. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 2 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-09
Wednesday 17.06. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 2 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-09
Wednesday 24.06. 10:00 - 12:00 Raum 2 Anglistik UniCampus Hof 8 3E-EG-09

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

The seminar will focus on the perennial and cross-cultural phenomenon of "witchcraft" and witch-persecution, and, in particular on some of its historical and literary manifestations in England, Scotland and New England. The range of texts includes a broadside ballad and a poem dealing with historical witchcraft cases, as well as fictional accounts of witchcraft, and two witchcraft plays. There will be two introductory units on recent research on the history and phenomenology of witchcraft, which will provide participants with the theoretical and historical framework. In particular the bizarre treatise "Daemonology" (1597) by King James VI of Scotland (later James I of England), a fervent opponent of witchcraft, will be given some consideration. The epistemological framework provided in these introductory units should enable students to analyse the literary works under discussion from an interdisciplinary perspective and to allow them to discern specific features of witchcraft as well as the motives for the witch-persecutions of the 17th and 18th centuries in Europe and America. The works selected for discussion in class include the witchcraft plays The Witch of Edmonton (1621) by Rowley, Dekker and Ford, The Last Witch (2009) by Rona Munro, Elizabeth Gaskells novella Lois the Witch (1859) and another narrative on the Salem witchcraft trials of 1692, The Devils Door (2011) by Paul B. Thompson, a novel for young adult readers.

Assessment and permitted materials

Regular attendance obligatory; active participation in the discussions throughout the semester; submission of one seminar paper in English (ca. 8,000 words+; BA thesis 11,000 words+), which must be an authentic work written by the participant individually (no group work!); one PPT presentation (individually or as a member of a group) of max. 20 mins per speaker; a final essay (700 words+) to be written in class. Deadline for submitting the seminar-paper: strictly at the appointed date (usually one week after the presentation unless otherwise agreed). A feedback will be given within four weeks after submission.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

To advance students proficiency in the critical analysis and the contextualized reading of literary works from different genres and periods; to advance students' historical knowledge of the so called witch-craze in Europe and New England; to develop students critical awareness of the motives for witch-persecution and the lingering superstitions linked to witchcraft; to enhance students' competence in writing an academic research paper and to perfect their proficiency in written and oral English as well as their computer-based presentation skills.

Examination topics

Interactive computer-aided teaching; use of the e-learning platform Moodle, introductory teacher-centred units providing the historical and cultural background; interactive student-centred teaching units with students' presentations (PPT) and plenum discussion.

Reading list

Students are required to acquire copies of the plays "The Witch of Edmonton" (Pb edition or from the database LION), Rona Munro's "The Last Witch" (Pb Nick Hern Books), and of Gaskell's novel "Lois the Witch" (LION) and Thompson's "The Devils Door" (2011) (Pb. Enslow publishers). The remaining texts will be provided by a Reader (details will be posted by circular e-mail).

Association in the course directory

Studium: UF 344, BA 612, MA 844;
Code/Modul: UF 4.2.4-322, BA09.2, 10.2, MA4, MA6,
Lehrinhalt: 12-0388

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:33