The University of Exeter is set to launch a groundbreaking Master's degree programme, offering the UK's first postgraduate qualification in Magic and the Occult. The new MA course aims to delve into the historical and societal impact of magic, witchcraft, and related practices, catering to a growing public fascination with these subjects.
Scheduled to commence in September 2024, the programme will be based within the university's Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies. It will provide a rigorous academic framework for students to explore a diverse range of topics, including the history of witchcraft, the role of magic in literature, and the cultural significance of occult traditions across different societies and time periods.
This pioneering initiative by the University of Exeter comes amidst a notable increase in public engagement with themes such as folklore, spiritual practices, and alternative belief systems. The university intends to harness this burgeoning interest, offering an academic lens through which to understand complex historical and contemporary phenomena associated with magic and the occult.
The curriculum is expected to cover various aspects, from ancient magical beliefs to modern interpretations of witchcraft and spirituality. Students will be encouraged to engage critically with source materials and develop a nuanced understanding of how these practices have shaped, and continue to influence, human culture and thought.
By establishing this unique MA, the University of Exeter is positioning itself at the forefront of interdisciplinary research into often-misunderstood areas of human history and culture. The degree is likely to attract a wide range of students, from those with a general interest in the supernatural to academics seeking to deepen their understanding of historical and cultural phenomena.