The University of Exeter in Britain has made an intriguing announcement regarding its forthcoming postgraduate degree program. Starting in September 2024, the university will introduce a master's degree in magic and occult science.
This unique program will delve into the historical aspects of magic and witchcraft, along with an examination of the occult within literature, philosophy, archaeology, sociology, psychology, drama, and religion.
Professor Emily Selove, who will oversee the new course, stated in a blog post, "A recent upsurge in interest in magic and the occult, both within and outside academia, addresses some of the most pressing questions in our society. Decolonization, the exploration of alternative epistemologies, feminism, and anti-racism are central to the core of this program."
In a news release, Selove emphasized that the program "provides an opportunity for individuals to reconsider the assumption that the Western world is synonymous with rationalism and science, while the rest of the world is perceived as a realm of magic and superstition."
The master's program will be hosted by the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, an acknowledgment of the profound influence of the Arabo-Islamic world on Western culture and science. This historical connection, often overlooked, contributes to dispelling the notion of the West as uniquely rational.
Modules offered within the program encompass a wide range of subjects, including dragons in Western literature and art, the legend of King Arthur, paleography, Islamic thought, archaeological theory and practice, the portrayal of women in the Middle Ages, and the philosophy of psychedelics.
