Witches: Beyond Myth and Magic

At times revered and at other times persecuted, witches and the phenomenon of witchcraft span global cultures and centuries of history, remaining popular even today. But what exactly is a witch and what do they practice? Were those famously persecuted for witchcraft throughout Europe and colonial America really witches? And, what’s up with those pointy hats?
 
USC Dornsife scholars traced the history of witches, and the changing ways art and literature has depicted them for this special Halloween Dornsife Dialogues event.

Participants:

Deborah Harkness, professor of history at USC Dornsife and bestselling author and producer of A Discovery of Witches.

Lisa Bitel, Dean’s Professor of Religion and professor of religion and history at USC Dornsife and an expert on medieval history.

Moderator: Peter Mancall, USC Dornsife historian and Andrew W. Mellon Professor of the Humanities

Watch the discussion on YouTube.

Learn more about the Dornsife Dialogues and sign up for the next live event here.