English
Log In
Double, Double, Toil and Trouble: The Salem Witch Trials (American History)
Angela Kennedy, B.A., M.A.
Average rating:5.0Number of reviews:(83)
In this class, we will take a look at cultural and societal environment of Salem Town and Salem Village - as well as the history of witch trials - to discover what transpired to cause the witch hunts in the 17th-century American colonies.
Class experience
US Grade 5 - 8
Was Salem really infested with witches, or was the hysteria caused by something more mundane? We’re going to look at the historical sources, the background of the colonies and their inhabitants, along with the terror caused by their fears, jealousy, and prejudices. We will use primary and secondary academic sources (journal articles and books). No 3rd party accounts are necessary for the students. I will create and use slides to show illustrations and maps to explain how geography affected...
Students will learn how to compare sources and determine historical criteria to find the most accurate portrayal of events. They will learn how group mindset can be dangerous and also responsible for oppression of marginalized people. They will leave the class understanding the historical events of the 17th-century witch hunts in Salem, Massachusetts.
I have taught/tutored this as a singular class and as part of US History (200 level), and included it in European history classes, as well.
Homework Offered
Assessments Offered
I will send an informal evaluation of the student’s comprehension and participation.Grades Offered
Handouts provided.
Given that history often has sensitive topics and themes, I am extremely aware of my students’ comfort levels and strive to make certain they are, at all times, safe and mentally prepared for the material. This particular subject has themes of Puritanical religion, witchcraft, greed, violence, and death. I have taught this class to students at varying levels of maturity (ages 11 - 24), and am well-versed at keeping it age/maturity-appropriate.
We will refer to excerpts from the following journal articles: Ray, Benjamin C. “The Geography of Witchcraft Accusations in 1692 Salem Village.” The William and Mary Quarterly, vol. 65, no. 3, 2008, pp. 449–78. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/25096807. Accessed 9 Aug. 2022. HOLMES, CLIVE. “THE OPINION OF THE CAMBRIDGE ASSOCIATION, 1 AUGUST 1692: A NEGLECTED TEXT OF THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS.” The New England Quarterly, vol. 89, no. 4, 2016, pp. 643–67. JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/stable/26405817. Accessed 9 Aug. 2022. Burns, Margo, and Bernard Rosenthal. “Examination of the Records of the Salem Witch Trials.” The William and Mary Quarterly, vol. 65, no. 3, 2008, pp. 401–22. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/25096805. Accessed 9 Aug. 2022. Rivett, Sarah. “Our Salem, Our Selves.” The William and Mary Quarterly, vol. 65, no. 3, 2008, pp. 495–502. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/25096811. Accessed 9 Aug. 2022. Personal research; course notes from past classes
Average rating:5.0Number of reviews:(83)
I teach world history/cultures and the languages associated with them. My teaching experience (2005 - present) is varied, as are the ages I have taught. I've taught pre-school children phonics and grammar. I've taught middle-schoolers history,...
Group Class
$20
per classMeets once
75 min
Completed by 30 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-15
1-5 learners per class
