A course with a witchcraft motif would explore the rich history and mythology surrounding the practice of witchcraft. The main idea of this course would be to provide a comprehensive understanding of witchcraft, its historical context, and its portrayal in literature, film, and popular culture. Students would delve into the origins of witchcraft, studying ancient cultures and their beliefs in magic and the supernatural. They would also examine the emergence of witchcraft hunts and trials throughout history, including the infamous Salem witch trials in colonial America. The course would analyze the portrayal of witches in literature, from classic texts such as Shakespeare's Macbeth to contemporary works like J.K.
K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. Students would dissect the symbolism and themes within these texts, exploring the dichotomy between good and evil, power and vulnerability, and the role of women in society.
Texas public universities offering women's studies courses on witchcraft, 'worship of the devil'
Students at publicly funded Texas universities are now able to enroll in courses about witches, black magic and the supernatural — under the guise of women’s studies.
Texas Tech University is offering Women and Gender Studies course 4301 titled “Witches, Bruxas, & Black Magic” in a course listed June 12 on the Lubbock campus’ website.
According to the course description, students will “study beliefs and practices, past and present, associated with magic, witchcraft, spirituality, magical realism, and religion.” The course curriculum will cover topics including “ritual, symbolism, mythology, altered states of consciousness, and healing.”
While witches and black magic are familiar topics to many people, bruxas might not be as well known. A bruxa was a pre-Christian female witch figure from Portugal during the Middle Ages and is considered a type of vampire entity known for “bloodsucking attacks on infants.”
Bruxas are said to assume the form of a duck, rat, goose, or other animal and can only prey on their victims in the middle of the night.
Texas Tech, a public research university, received approximately $80 million from taxpayers in 2021 under a higher education funding bill signed by Gov. Greg Abbott.
A request for comment from Texas Tech was not returned by press time. This story will be updated if a response is received.
University of North Texas (UNT), another state university, is offering students an anthropology course on “Magic, Witchcraft and Religion.”
The course description lists two required textbooks for the course, one of which is Dharma and Ecology of Hindu Communities by Pankaj Jain. While there are a number of course readings listed on the UNT website, only two had overly Christian references: a PBS video on a Christian theme park in Kentucky and another video on a Pentecostal congregation in West Virginia.
The University of Texas (UT) is also offering a History of Witchcraft course in which students will examine “witch beliefs and witchcraft prosecutions in western Europe and colonial America, mainly between 1100 and 1700" and looks at the role of religion in prosecuting witches during the age of the Reformation.
The stated “main purpose” of the course — which falls under both women’s and religious studies — is to explain the prosecution of more than 100,000 people, most of whom were women, for the crime of witchcraft in Europe and colonial America between 1450 and 1750.”
In addition to historical events, the course includes a number of satanic-oriented curricula, including studies on “Worship of the Devil,” “Witchcraft and the Law,” and “Demonic Possession and Witchcraft.”
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In addition to historical events, the course includes a number of satanic-oriented curricula, including studies on “Worship of the Devil,” “Witchcraft and the Law,” and “Demonic Possession and Witchcraft.”
Furthermore, they would study how witches have been depicted in film and television, from the iconic green-skinned Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz to the more modern interpretations in shows like American Horror Story: Coven. By examining the historical, literary, and cultural aspects of witchcraft, students would gain a deeper understanding of its significance and enduring allure in human society..
Reviews for "Witchcraft and Wicca: Exploring Modern Practices"
1. John - 1 star - I found the "Course with a witchcraft motif" to be completely ridiculous and a waste of time. The topics covered were so far-fetched and unrelated to actual witchcraft practices. The instructor seemed more interested in sharing their personal beliefs and pseudoscience theories rather than providing valuable information. I was really disappointed and would not recommend this course to anyone interested in learning about witchcraft.
2. Sarah - 2 stars - While the "Course with a witchcraft motif" had an interesting concept and potential, it fell short in its execution. The content was scattered and lacked depth, making it difficult to gain any real knowledge or understanding of witchcraft. The instructor seemed distracted and unorganized, often going off on tangents that were unrelated to the topic at hand. It was overall a disappointing experience and I wouldn't recommend it unless you're looking for a shallow introduction to witchcraft.
3. Alex - 2.5 stars - As someone genuinely interested in witchcraft, I was excited to enroll in the "Course with a witchcraft motif". However, I was quickly let down by the lack of substance and practical information provided. The course focused more on the fictional aspects of witchcraft rather than exploring its historical and cultural significance. I felt like I was watching a movie instead of learning about the real practices and beliefs surrounding the craft. It's an entertaining course for a casual audience, but not for those seeking a deeper understanding of witchcraft.