AN226 Magick & Witchcraft

This course introduces students to magick from an anthropological perspective. It examines the history of the study of magick, the inter-cultural definition of magick, and various types of magick before going on to concentrate on magick as a positive, Earth-centered region that has much in keeping with pre-Christian and Wiccan belief systems. DISCLAIMER Anthropology, simply defined, is the comparative study of human beings and their cultures. Each culture has as an essential part of it a spiritual component as well as a set of beliefs and rituals associated with this spirituality. This course investigates both the theoretical and applied sides of magick and witchcraft. Studying the rituals and beliefs associated with magick is not the same as adopting magick as a faith. Not unlike learning the dances or songs of another culture, learning about another culture’s beliefs and rituals helps us to more fully understand and appreciate the culture itself. The course satisfies the following General and Liberal Education requirements: Social Science Knowledge and Understanding, Information Literacy Learning Outcomes, and Inquiry and Analysis Learning Outcome.