A master's degree in magic set to be offered at a UK university
A master's degree in magic will soon be available for students to study at a UK university.
The University of Exeter will run the MA course in Magic and Occult Science from September 2024 and will be one of the first courses of its kind in the country.
Students will get the opportunity to learn the history and impact of witchcraft and magic on society and science in the West and East, as per the BBC.
It is a one-year course, and a "recent surge in interest in magic” is the reason why the degree is now being offered, according to the course leader.
Forget the Enlightenment, an MA in magic may soon be the preferred option for the CV of those aspiring to leadership roles. Spells, amulets and magical incantations are the way forward.
In an important sense we already hear about the magic of sustainability, but not in any formal academic sense with defined magical terminology. That could change.
11 comments:
I could make an argument that the Age of Enlightenment is dying and a New Romantic Age has started.
Remember all the attention paid to the publication of The Secret? From BARD: Core principle: The book posits that positive thoughts and emotions attract positive experiences and outcomes, while negative thoughts attract negativity.
Yes, you can propose that positive expectations will alert you more readily to positive affordances (science speak) but just wishing to make it so because that's what you want - that's magic.
And once you drink deeply of the Post Truth Cool Aid, then wishing is an easy way to make things better - although I expect many people are disappointed. Want to stop "the climate catastrophe" then 'wish' fossil fuels away. Afraid of a virus? Make a wish that everybody wear the magic facemasks. Want the world to be predictable - then revere the Wizard of Elitez.
It's all bollocks.
A university course in magic and witchcraft. No change there then.
I was really, really hoping that it would be at the University of Hochwurz.
It's on Google Maps about 40 mile N of Munich. Just a spot in the middle of a forest. Nothing to see. By Muggles.
DJ - I think you are right, the Age of Enlightenment is dying and a New Romantic Age has started. Enlightenment was always more difficult, more prone to failures and impossible to complete. Romantic fantasy is far easier. The change seems to have been going on for a long time and visual media gave it a hefty shove. The world will probably belong to those who don't succumb.
Tammly - although admitting it is a change.
decnine - it's a pity there isn't a Wandsworth University.
Exeter - the Met Office is nearby. Perhaps the University is going to employ the Met staff as lecturers as they can certainly 'magic' warble gloaming out of a transparent trace gas which, in the past, has followed a rise in temperature.
DAD - the Met Office should find a local course on magic very useful, casting a spell on carbon dioxide may be the best way to keep the climate game going.
That sounds interesting, I thought.
Then I read (said in a deep ominous voice) . . "the BBC".
Sounds of Hitchcock's Psycho shower scene violins.
Well, they are not going to tell you that the Black Arts were evil?
How many of their pet hobby-horses will they drag across the lecture room floor?
Burning witches were baad, but only because of See-Oh-Too.
But getting whacked on the head, strangled and having throat cut before being submerged in a peat bog was very sustainable.
Attend the course, supply all the "correct" answers, claim the correct gender and be at that sweet-spot on the Pantone scale and you could be BBC science editor or even another Harrabin, without having to pass through the Blue Peter kindergarten.
Doonhamer - ha ha very good. As for the number of pet hobby-horses they will drag across the lecture room floor, I'd be surprised if they left any out. Tick box hobby-horsing is what they do. I suppose a BBC science editor has to smooth the way by editing out the science and editing in the tick boxes.
Surely we should encourage the proper scientific study of magic, religion and alternative medicine if for no other reason than to show that none of it really works?
Vatsmith - I don't think it makes much difference, most people don't seem to be comfortable with a scientific outlook. I don't think the big media outfits like it either, it narrows their reporting options and probably limits the audience they can aim for.
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