244 Fall 1999

Studies in Early Modern Europe:
The Age of the Witch Hunts
Fall Semester 1999
Frank Luttmer
108 Classic Hall
M W F: 10-11, 12-1
866-7205 (office) 866-4073 (home)
historians@hanover.edu

Course Description and Objectives
The objective of this course is to understand the witch hunts not as an aberration or "craze," but rather as a phenomenon that was organically related to early modern society, law, government, culture, and theology. The course examines the origins, evolution, and decline of the witch hunts, drawing comparisons between Continental Europe, England, and New England. In addition to increasing your understanding of the witch hunts and early modern society, the course is designed to deepen your appreciation of the study of history, strengthen your capacity to think critically and analytically, and improve your research and writing skills. You will be expected to analyze primary documents carefully and thoughtfully, develop and defend your own interpretations, and write a substantive research paper.

Readings
1. Joseph Klaits, Servants of Satan
2. James Sharpe, Instruments of Darkness
3. Lyndal Roper, Oedipus & the Devil
4. Bernard Rosenthal, Salem Story
5. Barbara Rosen, ed., Witchcraft in England, 1558-1618
6. Heinrich Kramer and Jacob Sprenger, Malleus Maleficarum
7. Reginold Scot, A Discovery of Witchcraft

Grades
Final grades will be based on an evaluation of the following.

1. Two mid-term exams (15% each) and a final exam (20%)

Exams will consist of short-answer questions and large essay questions. Each of the three exams will cover roughly one-third of the course; the third exam will also include a comprehensive section.
2. A Research paper submitted in two drafts (15% for the first draft and 25% for the second)

The research paper can be on any topic related to the witch hunts. The paper is to be analytical and interpretive; it should present a thesis and develop an argument. It is incumbent upon you to define and develop a thesis. The first draft should be approximately four to six pages in length, and the second draft six to eight.
You are encouraged to use primary sources, and you are expected to examine the historiographical context of your topic. Secondary sources should consist mostly of scholarly articles and books, not simply reference material and textbooks. First drafts may be limited to sources available in the Duggan Library, but you are expected to use Interlibrary Loan to obtain additional sources for the final draft. You should include with your first draft a bibliography based on a universal search for sources.
The grade of each draft will be based on the quality of the thesis and argument, the quality of the evidence and logic, and the quality of the writing. The grade of the first draft will also reflect the quality of your bibliography (based on a universal search), and the second draft will reflect the quality of the sources used. You should consult with me about your paper at least a week before each draft is due.
3. Class participation and daily writing assignments (10%)

As a small seminar, the success of this class depends upon the quality of the dialogue in class. It is expected that you will attend every class and that you will be fully prepared to discuss the material assigned for that day. Class participation grades will reflect your attendance record, the frequency of your contributions to class discussions, and the quality of your questions, observations, and conclusions.

Schedule

Origins and European Context
Sept. 8:
Definitions and Evidence of Witchcraft
Klaits, 1-47
Sept. 10:
A Witch-Hunting Manual
Kramer and Sprenger, xliii-xlv, 1-21, 31-66
Sept..13:
A Witch-Hunting Manual
Kramer and Sprenger, 66-109, 155-164
Sept. 15:
The Reformation and Perceptions of Women
Klaits, 48-85
Sept. 17:
Witch Accusations and Possession
Klaits, 86-119; Kramer and Sprenger, 128-134, 179-188
Sept. 20
The Law and Torture
Bodin; Kramer and Sprenger,194-210, 216-240, 259-261, 264-268
Sept. 22
The Law and Torture
Klaits, 128-158; Bamberg; Wurzburg; Trier

The New Cultural History, Feminism, and the Witch Hunts
Sept. 24
Methodology and "Crisis in Gender Relations"
Roper, 1-52
Sept. 27
"Will and Honour" and "Sexual Utopianism"
Roper, 53-103
Sept. 29
Masculinity, Capitalism, and Magic
Roper, 107-145
Oct. 1
The Body, Social Order, and Theology
Roper, 145-198
Oct. 4
"Witchcraft and Fantasy" and "Oedipus and the Devil"
Roper, 199-248
Oct. 6
FIRST EXAM

Scepticism and the Case against Witch Hunting
Oct. 8
Reginold Scot
Scot, 1-41
Oct. 11
Reginold Scot
Scot, 42-45, 56-57, 62-65, 89-94, 123-125, 130-136, 163-170,
182-186, 196-207, 217, 226-235, 238-240, 245-253, 260-1, 271-2
Oct. 13
Reginold Scot and the Response
Scot, 273-283; Gifford; James

The English Witch Hunts
Oct. 15
Context and Elite Mentalities
Sharpe, 1-57
Oct. 20
Popular Mentalities
Sharpe, 58-79; Rosen, 61-99
Oct. 22
Popular Mentalities
Rosen, 182-224
Oct. 25
Theology and English Law
Sharpe, 80-102; Rosen, 51-58
Oct. 27
Patterns of Prosecution and Punishment
Sharpe, 105-127; Rosen, 103-167
Oct. 28
FIRST DRAFT OF RESEARCH PAPER DUE
Oct. 29
The East Anglia Hunt and Local Communities
Sharpe, 128-168; Rosen, 316-328, 369-384
Nov. 1
Women and Witchcraft Revisited
Sharpe, 169-189; Rosen, 331-368
Nov. 3
Possession
Sharpe, 190-210; Rosen, 298-302, 227-257
Nov. 5
Possession
Rosen, 257-297

The Salem Witch Hunts
Nov. 8
The New England Hunts in Context
Demos; Willard
Nov. 12
SECOND EXAM
Nov. 15
The Origins of the Salem Hunts
Rosenthal, 1-31; Good; Hale
Nov. 22
Girls and Boys
Rosenthal, 32-66; Jacobs; Warren
Nov. 29
The Trials
Rosenthal, 67-128
Dec. 1
The Trials
Rosenthal, 129-182; Salem Documents
Dec. 3
Assessment
Rosenthal, 183-218; Salem Documents

The Decline of the Witch Hunts
Dec. 6
Judicial Scepticism
Klaits, 159-176; Sharpe, 213-234
Dec. 8
Changes in Religion and Science
Sharpe, 235-275
Dec. 10
Conclusion
Sharpe, 276-302
Dec. 13-17
FINAL EXAM

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