First 5 Tuesdays, 1-2:50pm, HSSB 3201
Enrollment Code: 53538
In 1692, the town of Salem, Massachusetts was gripped by an epidemic of witchcraft accusations. While the practice of magic was not uncommon in colonial America, the scale and scope of this crisis was unique. What caused the crisis? What course did it take? How did it come to an end? Through the careful investigation of key players in documents containing their own words, we will explore the history and significance of this major crisis, including lessons that Americans have taken from Salem down to the present day.
Professor Ann Marie Plane, History, is a specialist in the colonial US, especially gender and legal history in 17th and 18th century New England. She teaches US history survey, History 17A, as well as courses in Native American History, History of Gender and Sexuality In Early America, and Comparative Literature 111, which explores dreams in a cultural context----the topic of her current book, A Cultural History of Dreaming in 17th Century New England.
