Primary Source Essay: Unit 7
Introduction
Students will distinguish themselves through authoritative research and writing opportunities via the medium of medieval historical documents and secondary sources, recalling the key political, social, economic, and environmental factors that brought about systemic transformations of medieval societies as relating to the phenomenon of witch hunting and popular beliefs in witchcraft. Students will measure their knowledge of the medieval world through an understanding of basic facts surrounding witchcraft, but also grapple with the complex ideas that have dominated historiographic theories of medieval societies. Specifically, students will describe how popular beliefs in magic and superstation eventually led to widespread fears of witches with supernatural diabolical powers. They will then compare the differing responses to witchcraft among the major European regions, analyzing the role of violence, coercion, and local influence upon the legal code within witch trials. Finally, students will interpret how witch trials paved the way for more just and fair legal procedures and law codes at the end of the middle ages.
Directions
You are expected to write an essay based upon a set of primary readings provided for you in the UK Archives (https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/early-modern-witch-trials/) (actual sources from the time period)
and the secondary source Magic in the Middle Ages book assigned for you. YOU MAY ONLY USE THE TEXTS AND ARCHIVES PROVIDED FOR YOU, NOTHING ELSE.
The UK Archives provide an important resource for you that includes actual images, writings, and transcriiptions surrounding witchcraft. You must use at least three primary sources from the Archives for your paper.
Using outside sources will result in failing the assignment. This means non-course approved alternative websites, articles, or monographs, ie Wikipedia. You must answer the research question provided below. You will construct, in consultation with the instructor, a persuasive, analytical, historical research paper. This means making an argument with a thesis and defending the argument with facts from the primary texts and secondary literature, and proving why you are correct in your interpretation. You will be evaluated upon historical accuracy and analytical ability.
Your paper must be:
4 pages
Double-spaced, 12 point font
Include footnote sources
Answer the research question below
Research Question
What is the difference between magic and witchcraft? Why did the Church and state get involved with prosecuting witches and defining witchcraft? How did this affect ordinary individuals? What factors such as plague, war, and religious belief most led to witch hunting?
Please note that you are required to use Chicago style citations and references (Links to an external site.) for this paper.
Due Date
Submit by 11:59p.m., Friday, CT of Unit 7.
Last Completed Projects
| topic title | academic level | Writer | delivered |
|---|