Magical Theory

Instructor Information
Athrawon
athrawon@thepagancampus.net
http://www.athrawon.net

Class will be held in the classroom.

Course Description
This course will study the history and practices of Paganism to understand the origins and mysteries of Witchcraft.

This class is designed for those seeking to expand their knowledge of the origins, practices and mysteries of Witchcraft. The only prerequisite is knowledge of the basics of Wicca and Witchcraft as a practice. A Wicca 101 class with about one to two years of continuous practice afterward, or several years of intense study and practice will assist the student in the furthering of their studies.

Required Text

The Golden Bough Sir James George Frazer (This book is available for free online - link will be in classroom)

Aradia: The Gospel of Witches Charles Godfrey Leland (This book is available for free online - link will be in classroom)

Recommended Text

Truth or Dare Starhawk

Power of the Witch Laurie Cabot

Course Requirements
Class participation (1/3 of grade): The lecture format requires regular attendance, completion of reading assignments, and active participation in discussion by all students. Necessary absences must be cleared in advance with me; unexcused absences will result in a grade penalty.

Because of the advanced nature and the experience of the participants of this class, the discussion part of the class will consist mostly of a "roundtable format." The participants all have equal input and are encouraged to utilize their experience and past studies, whether formal or informal, to contribute to the ongoing education of all involved. In this class we are all equal and are all students, even your humble instructor.

There will be message boards throughout the classroom that usually cover a subject and have open discussions about what has been studied to that point. These message boards are how the students will communicate with each other and their instructor.

Homework assignments (1/3 of grade): All homework assignments will be completed and turned in to me via e-mail no later than 24 hours before the next class.

Research Project
The research paper is worth the final third of your grade. A 5-8 page paper (plus bibliography) on one or several aspects of magic that you find interesting, using at least two books or articles (not counting web sources). The topic and preliminary bibliography must be discussed with me by Week 8. The paper will be due no later than Wednesday of Week 11, by noon. This paper is considered your final for this class.

Grading Breakdown
You are granted 1% of your grade.
Class participation & attendance - 33%
Informal writing assignments - 33%
Research Project = 33%
Total - 100%

Libraries:
Try any library.

Tutorial Services:
The instructor is available for tutoring if you need.

Disabilities:
Anyone that can type, use voice activated software, or have another type for them and able to do the work is welcome. The instructor will make allowances for disabilities, but they have to reasonable requests. The instructor will not know if you have a disability that may require allowances unless you inform him.

Since students seem to move at their own pace, no matter how much the cattle prod is used, this class will be taught via topics. A new set of topics will be revealed and discussed about every week, depending where the studetns are in their studies of the previous topics. The topics that will be covered include, but are not limited to:

Definition of magic
Sympathetic magick; then and now.
Ancient magical practices
What place does magic have in our beliefs?
Control the weather with magic?
Overview of magic in anthropological and historical accounts
Overview of magic in anthropological and historical accounts.
The ethics involved in magic
The psychology and state of mind in magic
Types of magic
Correspondences utilized in magic
How to generate energy for magic
Just what is this "Ground and Center" business?
Research paper