PS-Introduction to Cultural Studies: Scottish Witches
Cordula Lemke
Kommentar
Scottish folktales have always been haunted by ghosts, murderers and the odd witch. Tales of witchcraft and magic have been part of the Scottish cultural memory since James VI of Scotland became James I of England and Scotland. His reign started a veritable witch craze when he accused Scottish women of riding the waves in sieves and conjuring up a storm that almost led to his and his new Danish wife’s death by drowning on their passage home to Scotland. From then on around 3000 women and men died being accused of witchcraft. Today, the campaign “Witches of Scotland” has made it their goal to remember all these women and men who died for acting as healers, for being loud or uncomfortable, or for simply being different. The texts of this seminar play a part in preserving the memory of these so-called witches. We are going to look at the various topics the texts address, at how witches are presented today and finally at the role Harry Potter plays in the debate.
Texts:- Kate Foster, The King’s Witches
- Philip Paris, The Last Witch of Scotland
- J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
13 Termine
Regelmäßige Termine der Lehrveranstaltung