ENG3310 - Fall 2025 - Welch

In this course, we will explore portrayals of magic, witches, and witchcraft in cinema from the silent era to the present day. Through an array of films spanning horror, fantasy, drama, and experimental works, this course examines how witches have been depicted as figures of power, transgression, resistance, and fear. We will analyze these representations in relation to gender, sexuality, politics, and cultural anxieties, considering how the witch functions as both an archetype and a subversive force in film.

In addition to screenings, we will engage with critical and theoretical readings from literature, film studies, feminist and queer theory, and popular culture. Discussions will explore themes such as the historical persecution of witches, the witch as a feminist icon, and the connections between witchcraft and marginalized identities. By the end of the course, students will gain a deeper understanding of how cinema has shaped and reshaped the mythology of the witch across different historical and cultural contexts.

Fulfills LMC requirement: Understanding Genres