Calamus Extension
College Ltd / Calamus International University
main website: www.unicalamus.org
COURSE UNIT DESCRIPTION LIBRARY
use the "back" arrow in your
browser to return to list of course
units
Main Course Unit Index
Please quote both the full unit number and unit title in all queries.
Unit number: NES
409
Unit title: History
of Modern Witchcraft and Paganism
Credit value: 3 credits
Description: This unit presents a scholarly study of the history of modern pagan witchcraft, and its antecedent concepts and ideas. The study is mainly concerned with South Britain (England, Wales, Cornwall and the Isle of Man) though the presence of Witchcraft in the rest of Britain, Europe and America is also considered. Attitudes towards pagan religion before the early 20th century are traced through literature and folklore. The study then looks at the revival of pagan ideas in earth 20th century Britain, and the influence of Alastair Crowley, D H Lawrence, Robert Graves, and Margaret Murray. The study continues with the life and influence of Gerald Gardner, and mid-20th century media antagonism towards witchcraft; the writings of Lethbridge and Carlo Ginzburg; the goddess theories of the 1950s and 60s; the history of the “cunning folk” and hereditary “Old Craft” witchcraft. We then turn to the work of Doreen Valiente, Patricia Crowther, and Alex Sanders. Considered separately is the spread of witchcraft in the USA, which had its own pagan revival. Leading American figures including Starhawk are discussed. Finally, a summing up of the nature of the contemporary Pagan movement is given.
Key textbook: Hutton, Ronald. The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan Witchcraft. Oxford University Press, 1999.
Comments:
Amendments may be made to the details and provision of units at any time.
|
UK
DISTANCE LEARNING CERTIFICATES/DIPLOMAS in
|
Copyright © Calamus Extension College Ltd/ Calamus International University. All rights reserved. Must not be reproduced without permission.