Degree in magic to be offered at University of Exeter

[Pixiedust1234]

No idea where to post this really (ugh..thought I had posted in the FWR chat part!). Should it be Religion or Parenting or normal Chat. But figured there might be a few witches in these frozen parts of MN. And they talk about dragons, are they not dinosaurs in disguise?

Actually, it does sound interesting. One of those subjects that start in one place and meanders totally naturally into another.

"Decolonisation, the exploration of alternative epistemologies, feminism and anti-racism are at the core of this programme."

A choice of modules includes dragons in western literature and art, the legend of King Arthur, palaeography, Islamic thought, archaeological theory and practice and the depiction of women in the Middle Ages.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-66981924

I dont know what to make of this but the title to the thread was so intriguing and to my mind unlikely that I went to the home page. Quote:

Course content

The MA Magic and Occult Science is a unique programme that allows you to tailor a programme to your own interests by choosing a range of modules within humanities and social sciences, or by specialising in a certain area.

The core module, ARAM251 Esotericism and the Magical Tradition is a team-taught module where students explore key topics including magic in Greece and Rome, occult texts in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, the history of witchcraft, magic in literature and folklore, deception and illusion, and the history of science and medicine, among other key themes.

By housing this program within the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, we place the Arabo-Islamic cultural heritage back where it belongs in the centre of these studies and in the history of the “West.” Decolonisation, the exploration of alternative epistemologies, feminism, and anti-racism are at the core of this programme.

https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/courses/arabislamic/magic-occult-science

Not sure I am any the wiser!

You'd think 'spelling' would be in there somewhere.

Of course.

I think there are quite a lot of people who have no idea about the long traditions of rational thought and scientific enquiry outside of Western traditions. I doubt anyone thinks the West is devoid of superstition, or traditions of and belief in magic.

I’m not sure how a course that delves into superstition and magic in the West with an emphasis on its Islamic roots will challenge that, though. Especially as I can’t see many people who value the idea of the West being a bastion of rational thought and scientific tradition being interested in the course (so its challenge to that idea will likely be tearing down strawmen it built itself rather than engaging with people who actually hold that position).

I do apologise. Dragons are indeed magical 😊

But surely “the depiction of women in the Middle Ages” is just history?!

I found that a bizarre statement. Rationality and superstitions appear pretty evenly distributed as far as I can tell.

What on earth is “Occult Science”?

An oxymoron?

Alchemy and the like, I think.

It actually sounds really interesting - a mix of history, literature and sociology. I’m a bit disappointed it’s not more like Hogwards though. That’s how I imagined it from the title.

I've read all of the opptional module descriptions, and each in their own way are interesting, but I still dont get an idea of how they mix or come together as a whole.

And then I saw that one of the compulsory modules as about theatre.

So is it all just a Harry Potter spin off?

Also, have you seen the fee?!

It’s not a degree in how to do magic. It’s a MA studying the occult. This is a global phenomenon. Historians have been taking modules on aspects of this for decades.

There’s nothing Mickey Mouse about it: it takes in history, sociology, anthropology, cultural studies, material culture, theology.

Only the most tedious vocational / STEM bore would have an issue.

Seeing as many trans activists revel in magical thinking, I'm sure this is the right board.

https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/courses/arabislamic/magic-occult-science/

When I read the title I assumed it would be a degree in card tricks and sawing assistants in half.

I’m kinda disappointed that it’s far more sensible than that.

Have you actually read the thread. The link has already been posted and commented on.

Or you have a point in reposting because ... ????

I don't think they should have named it MA magic and occult science.

They should have thought of something that would have demanded a bit more respect. People who do this will be a laughing stock, but it does sound quite interesting!

So did I Spidermaam! I was expecting guest lecturers like Penn and Teller or David Blane.

Our prestigious Centre for Magic and Esotericism welcomes MA students to monthly meetings and local field trips.

Wonder if they will do that in the middle of the night, possibly dancing around some standing stones 🤔

Someone’s sensitive!

People who apply for it will get it.

It doesn’t really matter what a few chumps on MN think.

Someone’s sensitive!

Not in the least, but it is really boring on a thread when contributors obviously haven't bothered to read existing posts and then disrupt the flow by posting something unrelated or repetitive.

And your remark just means you cant answer the question.

If you meant the link somehow proved something or other, what was it?

It doesn’t really matter what a few chumps on MN think.

Something that only someone with a humour bypass would say.

Whereas some have been quite funny!

The other MAs on offer at the University of Exeter Arab and Islamic studies department seem quite different!

But will it provide an irrefutable argument why men should be allowed in the Ladies' loo?