Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey

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SPAN0487A-F24

Witches: Global Visual Culture

Witches in Global Visual Culture
In this course we will study the global visual representation of witches. During the 15th-18th century witch trials were responsible for the killing of between 40,000-50,000 women. In the 21st century, women are still being accused of witchcraft, and are murdered because women are believed to bring good or bad luck. Studying the construction of the witch narratives throughout history could alleviate this perception and reduce violence against women. We will examine passages from The Hammer of Witches and witches’ trials, as well as study the intersections between witchcraft, capitalism, and psychoanalysis. We will also focus on the role eugenics and artificial intelligence have played in modifying the depictions of witches. We will consider the way feminism has re-semanticized witches in the fight against patriarchy through political movements, theory (e.g. Silvia Federici) and visual culture by viewing art, graphic novels, TV series, and films from countries throughout the world.
Course Reference Number (CRN):
92679
Subject Code:
SPAN
Course Number:
0487
Section Identifier:
A

Course

SPAN 0487

All Sections in Fall 2024

Fall 2024

SPAN0487A-F24 Seminar (Saldarriaga)