They will now examine the roots of spells as a part of a brand new Masters in Magic and Occult Science. The course is predicated within the college’s Institute of Arab and Islamic Research and one of many solely postgraduate programs of its variety throughout the UK. It would additionally encourage college students to “decolonise” their fascinated with the inspiration of Western science, acknowledging its debt to Arabic magic and philosophy.
College students may anticipate to study esotericism, witchcraft, ritual magic, occult science, and associated matters.
Prof Emily Selove, who leads the course, mentioned: “A latest surge in curiosity in magic and the occult inside and outdoors of academia lies on the coronary heart of probably the most pressing questions of our society. Decolonisation, the exploration of different epistemologies, feminism, and anti-racism are on the core of this programme.”
Selove added that the course would enable college students to re-examine their assumptions that the West was rational and scientific whereas the remainder of the world was superstitious and mystical.
“Magic and the occult have been and stay an infinite a part of Western tradition, and it’s silly to disclaim this or to refuse to take it significantly. Rigorous examine of those topics enable us to re-examine the connection of people to the pure world and of various human cultures to at least one one other,” she mentioned.
“By housing this diploma within the Institute of Arab and Islamic Research, we acknowledge the profound debt of Western tradition and science to the Arabo-Islamic world, a historical past that has been erased in creating our false image of the West as uniquely rational.”
To check this thrilling new course, college students ought to have a minimal of a 2:1 Honours diploma (or worldwide equal) in a social sciences or humanities self-discipline, although they might probably settle for candidates who’ve a excessive 2:2 or equal, “or have related work expertise”. So it’s a should for any witches on the market.
The one-year programme begins in September 2024.