RLBcB213 Magic in Medieval Christianity

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2019
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
PhDr. Iva Doležalová (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
PhDr. Iva Doležalová
Department for the Study of Religions – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Mgr. Kateřina Sedlářová
Supplier department: Department for the Study of Religions – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Wed 8:00–9:40 J22
Prerequisites (in Czech)
( RLA06 Christianity I || RLKA06 Christianity I || RLBcA006 Christianity I || RLBcKA006 Christianity I ) && ( RLA07 Christianity II || RLKA07 Christianity II || RLBcA007 Christianity II || RLBcKA007 Christianity II ) && ! RLB213 Magic in Christianity
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 50 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/50, only registered: 0/50, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/50
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 7 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The main objectives of the course are:
- Christian view on magic during Middle Ages
- understand the magic within its social context
- critical analysis of sources repesenting the different opinions on magic and providing various views

The attention is focused not only on official Church understanding of magic and learned picture of it, but also on not official/lived level of medieval Christianity where magic was practiced.

Problems of methodology are also an important part of the study of magic and its changes. Especially anthropological theories are applied on this historical topic.
Learning outcomes
Students of the course:
  • will be acquainted with terminology and concepts used in the study of magic;
  • will be able to provide a survey of its changes during medieval times;
  • learn the critical analysis of historical sources and rules for interpretation of those sources.
    • Syllabus
    • Introductoin to the study of magic: Christianity against magic
    • Definitions of magic, Christian cultural framework and cultural anthropology on magic
    • Magic in Christian religion/culture and its roots. Ancient times and pre-Christian religions of Europe. Ancient Christianity
    • Magic in aristocratic and folk milieu. Demonisation of heretics
    • 1st seminar discussion: Magic as a crossroads
    • Persecution of witchcraft. Social, cultural, climatic and other impulses to reorientation of attentiveness to the topic of witchcraft
    • Intstitutionalisation of means of persecution. Typology of medieval magic
    • 2nd seminar discussion: Maleus maleficarum - sources and its critical analysis
    • The sect of devil witches. A Woman: witch and witness. Gender aspects of anti-witch views and there legal framework
    • Magic practises in the documents of Inquisition: reality and representation
    • Witch Sabath
    • 3rd seminar discussion: Stereotypes in the picture of witch sabath: confrontation of folk and learned culture
    • Magic/witchcraft in the beginning of the Modern Times: Witch-hunts
    Literature
    • KIECKHEFER, Richard. Magie ve středověku. Translated by Kateřina Jirsová. Vyd. 1. Praha: Argo, 2005, 252 s. ISBN 8072036602. info
    • DINZELBACHER, Peter. Světice, nebo čarodějky? : osudy "jiných" žen ve středověku a novověku. Translated by Petr Babka. Vyd. 1. Praha: Vyšehrad, 2003, 283 s. ISBN 8070216506. info
    • The witchcraft reader. Edited by Darren Oldridge. 1st pub. New York: Routledge, 2002, xiii, 448. ISBN 0415214939. info
    • JOLLY, Karen Louise, Catharina RAUDVERE and Edward PETERS. Witchcraft and magic in Europe : the middle ages. Edited by Bengt Ankarloo - Stuart Clark. 1st pub. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2002, xiv, 280. ISBN 0812217861. info
    • Witchcraft in Europe, 400-1700 : a documentary history. Edited by Edward Peters - Alan Charles Kors. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2001, xiv, 451. ISBN 0812217519. info
    Teaching methods
  • Lecture, seminar discussion based on reading and written comments on given texts
  • Seminar presentation upon particular text of historical source (two presentation during semestr based on writen comments of historical source and reading)
  • Preparation of writen comments for colloqium
    • Assessment methods
    Colloquim
    Requests for colloquim:
  • Written test based on the required reading, lectures, and presentations (100 points each, the minimum of 60 points is required to pass the test, which is a prerequisite for the oral colloquim)
  • Two submissions of abstracts of source texts - for seminar discussions (see Study materials), evaluated 100 points each, the minimum of 60 points is required. This task is a prerequisite for the oral colloquim)
  • Active participation in seminar discussions based on reading and written comments on given texts
  • Before the colloqium term published in the IS MU, participants of the course submit an analytical comment on elected text of historical source and reading.

    See Study materials for detailed information.
    • Language of instruction
    Czech
    Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
    The course is taught once in two years.
    Information on course enrolment limitations: Zápis mimo religionistiku je podmíněn souhlasem vyučující.
    • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
    • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/autumn2019/RLBcB213