The University of Exeter is set to introduce a groundbreaking MA in Magic and Occult Science in 2024, marking one of the first programs of its kind in the UK. This innovative course has been
developed in response to the growing fascination with magic, according to the course leader.
The one-year program, commencing in September 2024, provides students with a unique opportunity to delve into the history and societal impact of witchcraft and magic worldwide. It promises to encompass a wide array of subjects, including history, literature, philosophy, archaeology, sociology, psychology, drama, and religion, with experts in each field shedding light on the roles of magic in both Western and Eastern societies.
Professor Emily Selove, the course leader, emphasized the program's relevance to contemporary societal questions, citing the recent resurgence of interest in magic and the occult. She stated that decolonization, exploration of alternative epistemologies, feminism, and anti-racism would be central themes of the curriculum.
The MA in Magic and Occult Science will be housed within the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Exeter. Professor Selove expressed her hope that the program would challenge the conventional perception that the West is associated with rationalism and science, while other regions are often viewed as domains of magic and superstition.
The University of Exeter believes that this program will equip graduates for various careers, including teaching, counseling, mentoring, heritage and museum work, library services, tourism, arts organizations, and the publishing industry, among others. Students will have the opportunity to select from a range of modules, covering topics such as dragons in Western literature and art, the legend of King Arthur, palaeography, Islamic thought, archaeological theory and practice, and the portrayal of women in the Middle Ages. Photo by Simon Cobb, Wikimedia commons.