OCR History A (New): Popular Culture and the Witchcraze of the 16 & 17 Century Y312
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sunnyflowers
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Popular Culture and the Witch craze of the 16th and 17th Centuries
anyone else doing this? what textbooks/ resources are you using and how are you revising? or just any tips for alevel history?
anyone else doing this? what textbooks/ resources are you using and how are you revising? or just any tips for alevel history?
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TSR Jessica
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Sorry you've not had any responses about this.
Are you sure you've posted in the right place?
Here's a link to our subject forum which should help get you more responses if you post there.
You can also find the Exam Thread list for A-levels here and GCSE here.
Just quoting in Fox Corner so she can move the thread if needed



You can also find the Exam Thread list for A-levels here and GCSE here.

Just quoting in Fox Corner so she can move the thread if needed

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LennyBicknel
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I'm doing this too. I've got the Access to History textbook by Farmer. How am I revising? It's only been like 2 weeks
I usually revise things like History by plainly writing out my notes, doing past/potential questions, and making cards.

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sunnyflowers
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(Original post by LennyBicknel)
I'm doing this too. I've got the Access to History textbook by Farmer. How am I revising? It's only been like 2 weeks
I usually revise things like History by plainly writing out my notes, doing past/potential questions, and making cards.
I'm doing this too. I've got the Access to History textbook by Farmer. How am I revising? It's only been like 2 weeks

lol I meant studing the material not revising soz
I also have the same book

also what past papers would you do since this is the first year for this course? there are some at the end of the book but im saving them for later

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LennyBicknel
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(Original post by sunnyflowers)
hi, thanks for replying
lol I meant studing the material not revising soz
I also have the same book
are you only using that? I feel like it might not have enough info?? I like the summary diagrams after each section though
also what past papers would you do since this is the first year for this course? there are some at the end of the book but im saving them for later
hi, thanks for replying
lol I meant studing the material not revising soz
I also have the same book

also what past papers would you do since this is the first year for this course? there are some at the end of the book but im saving them for later


I'm not sure about past paper questions. I'll probably just do what you said and do the ones at the end (alongside the ones my teacher creates, of course).
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ems1998
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I'm also doing this unit too and agree that the Access to History textbook is quite brief, I have Levack's book and some textbooks for witchcraft that are for Edexcel exams although the exam board is different it has much more detailed information relevant for interpretation questions and essays.
If you guys have essays you would share maybe we could exchange resources we have done?
If you guys have essays you would share maybe we could exchange resources we have done?

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glenn100
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For the Witchcraze, you really need to read Brian Levack and for popular culture start with Peter Burke. Robin Briggs is also a strong core text for the witchcraze, but Malcolm Gaskill has written a short guide to witchcraft, the name escapes me, but is very easy to pick up and go.
If you are using the Farmer OCR textbook the recommended texts in the back are actually pretty useful to dip into.
If you are using the Farmer OCR textbook the recommended texts in the back are actually pretty useful to dip into.
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LennyBicknel
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WearilyPerrin
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Our teacher told us we don't need anything more than the book... She said that it's more than enough and it's not about knowing loads of stuff but using examples well and arguing well
So if the book was all I needed im so ready!
If it wasn't then I'm in trouble...
So if the book was all I needed im so ready!
If it wasn't then I'm in trouble...
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LennyBicknel
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(Original post by WearilyPerrin)
Our teacher told us we don't need anything more than the book... She said that it's more than enough and it's not about knowing loads of stuff but using examples well and arguing well
So if the book was all I needed im so ready!
If it wasn't then I'm in trouble...
Our teacher told us we don't need anything more than the book... She said that it's more than enough and it's not about knowing loads of stuff but using examples well and arguing well
So if the book was all I needed im so ready!
If it wasn't then I'm in trouble...

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BeckyDunnMills
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Hi, today I sat the popular culture and witchcraze exam - and I hope it went ok - but all I can is that you are going to need more than the Farmer textbook. Firstly, it is a Hodder Edition, so it isn't specifically for OCR (it can also be used by AQA students) and secondly the examples that are provided are very limited. If you are hoping to get an A you really do need a broad range of books to scout through and find specific examples.
Here is an unofficial reading list I used:
- Witchcraze: A New History of the European Witch Hunts (Barstow)
- Witches and Neighbours: The Social and Cultural Context of European Witchcraft (Briggs)
- The Witch-Hunt in Early Modern Europe (Levack)
- The Witch Reader (Oldridge)
- OCR A Level History B: Different Interpretations of Witch Hunting in Early Modern Europe c.1560-c.1660 (Pickering)
- Witchcraft and Magic in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Century Europe (Scarre and Callow)
- The Witch Hunts (Thurston)
- The European Witch-Craze of the 16th and 17th Centuries
Using such books will help you to develop a decent bank of evidence, which can be used well when relevant to the argument or theme. I cannot stress enough that you do need a fair amount of impact evidence to demonstrate the relevance and significance of causes, in order to discuss consequences, similarity and differences effectively. Make sure you know exactly what the examiners are looking for and your analysis is consistent. Good luck, you'll do great
(By the way, the questions that came up today were:
1- Evaluate the interpretations in the two passages and explain which you think is a more convincing explanation of the Essex Witch-Hunts in the Seventeenth Century. --> this question focused on geography, nature and frequency
2- Religious attitudes were the main reason for the persecutions of witches in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
3- Assess the reasons for the differences in persecutions in different regions (I am sorry I cannot remember the exact wording, this was the question I didn't answer)
4- Large scale witch trials and persecutions of witches were key in characterising the responses of the authorities to witchcraft in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.)
Good luck, oh and if you would like me to send you over my notes as I (hopefully) won't be needing them anymore then by all means give me a shout
Here is an unofficial reading list I used:
- Witchcraze: A New History of the European Witch Hunts (Barstow)
- Witches and Neighbours: The Social and Cultural Context of European Witchcraft (Briggs)
- The Witch-Hunt in Early Modern Europe (Levack)
- The Witch Reader (Oldridge)
- OCR A Level History B: Different Interpretations of Witch Hunting in Early Modern Europe c.1560-c.1660 (Pickering)
- Witchcraft and Magic in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Century Europe (Scarre and Callow)
- The Witch Hunts (Thurston)
- The European Witch-Craze of the 16th and 17th Centuries
Using such books will help you to develop a decent bank of evidence, which can be used well when relevant to the argument or theme. I cannot stress enough that you do need a fair amount of impact evidence to demonstrate the relevance and significance of causes, in order to discuss consequences, similarity and differences effectively. Make sure you know exactly what the examiners are looking for and your analysis is consistent. Good luck, you'll do great

(By the way, the questions that came up today were:
1- Evaluate the interpretations in the two passages and explain which you think is a more convincing explanation of the Essex Witch-Hunts in the Seventeenth Century. --> this question focused on geography, nature and frequency
2- Religious attitudes were the main reason for the persecutions of witches in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
3- Assess the reasons for the differences in persecutions in different regions (I am sorry I cannot remember the exact wording, this was the question I didn't answer)
4- Large scale witch trials and persecutions of witches were key in characterising the responses of the authorities to witchcraft in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.)
Good luck, oh and if you would like me to send you over my notes as I (hopefully) won't be needing them anymore then by all means give me a shout
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LennyBicknel
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#12
(Original post by BeckyDunnMills)
Hi, today I sat the popular culture and witchcraze exam - and I hope it went ok - but all I can is that you are going to need more than the Farmer textbook. Firstly, it is a Hodder Edition, so it isn't specifically for OCR (it can also be used by AQA students) and secondly the examples that are provided are very limited. If you are hoping to get an A you really do need a broad range of books to scout through and find specific examples.
Here is an unofficial reading list I used:
- Witchcraze: A New History of the European Witch Hunts (Barstow)
- Witches and Neighbours: The Social and Cultural Context of European Witchcraft (Briggs)
- The Witch-Hunt in Early Modern Europe (Levack)
- The Witch Reader (Oldridge)
- OCR A Level History B: Different Interpretations of Witch Hunting in Early Modern Europe c.1560-c.1660 (Pickering)
- Witchcraft and Magic in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Century Europe (Scarre and Callow)
- The Witch Hunts (Thurston)
- The European Witch-Craze of the 16th and 17th Centuries
Using such books will help you to develop a decent bank of evidence, which can be used well when relevant to the argument or theme. I cannot stress enough that you do need a fair amount of impact evidence to demonstrate the relevance and significance of causes, in order to discuss consequences, similarity and differences effectively. Make sure you know exactly what the examiners are looking for and your analysis is consistent. Good luck, you'll do great
(By the way, the questions that came up today were:
1- Evaluate the interpretations in the two passages and explain which you think is a more convincing explanation of the Essex Witch-Hunts in the Seventeenth Century. --> this question focused on geography, nature and frequency
2- Religious attitudes were the main reason for the persecutions of witches in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
3- Assess the reasons for the differences in persecutions in different regions (I am sorry I cannot remember the exact wording, this was the question I didn't answer)
4- Large scale witch trials and persecutions of witches were key in characterising the responses of the authorities to witchcraft in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.)
Good luck, oh and if you would like me to send you over my notes as I (hopefully) won't be needing them anymore then by all means give me a shout
Hi, today I sat the popular culture and witchcraze exam - and I hope it went ok - but all I can is that you are going to need more than the Farmer textbook. Firstly, it is a Hodder Edition, so it isn't specifically for OCR (it can also be used by AQA students) and secondly the examples that are provided are very limited. If you are hoping to get an A you really do need a broad range of books to scout through and find specific examples.
Here is an unofficial reading list I used:
- Witchcraze: A New History of the European Witch Hunts (Barstow)
- Witches and Neighbours: The Social and Cultural Context of European Witchcraft (Briggs)
- The Witch-Hunt in Early Modern Europe (Levack)
- The Witch Reader (Oldridge)
- OCR A Level History B: Different Interpretations of Witch Hunting in Early Modern Europe c.1560-c.1660 (Pickering)
- Witchcraft and Magic in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Century Europe (Scarre and Callow)
- The Witch Hunts (Thurston)
- The European Witch-Craze of the 16th and 17th Centuries
Using such books will help you to develop a decent bank of evidence, which can be used well when relevant to the argument or theme. I cannot stress enough that you do need a fair amount of impact evidence to demonstrate the relevance and significance of causes, in order to discuss consequences, similarity and differences effectively. Make sure you know exactly what the examiners are looking for and your analysis is consistent. Good luck, you'll do great

(By the way, the questions that came up today were:
1- Evaluate the interpretations in the two passages and explain which you think is a more convincing explanation of the Essex Witch-Hunts in the Seventeenth Century. --> this question focused on geography, nature and frequency
2- Religious attitudes were the main reason for the persecutions of witches in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
3- Assess the reasons for the differences in persecutions in different regions (I am sorry I cannot remember the exact wording, this was the question I didn't answer)
4- Large scale witch trials and persecutions of witches were key in characterising the responses of the authorities to witchcraft in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.)
Good luck, oh and if you would like me to send you over my notes as I (hopefully) won't be needing them anymore then by all means give me a shout

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TheFrog98
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Hey guys,
I took the same exam today and I hope I did well! I was pleased to see the Hopkins witch hunt come up as the interpretation question, and the other two thematic essays were quite nice too (hopefully!). I chose questions 2 and 3 (refer to the post 2 above), as I didn't like the look of question 4.
How did the exam go for you guys?
Oh yeah, I felt that the thematic essay questions could've been more diverse rather than just focusing on witch persecutions :/
I took the same exam today and I hope I did well! I was pleased to see the Hopkins witch hunt come up as the interpretation question, and the other two thematic essays were quite nice too (hopefully!). I chose questions 2 and 3 (refer to the post 2 above), as I didn't like the look of question 4.
How did the exam go for you guys?
Oh yeah, I felt that the thematic essay questions could've been more diverse rather than just focusing on witch persecutions :/
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LennyBicknel
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(Original post by TheFrog98)
Hey guys,
I took the same exam today and I hope I did well! I was pleased to see the Hopkins witch hunt come up as the interpretation question, and the other two thematic essays were quite nice too (hopefully!). I chose questions 2 and 3 (refer to the post 2 above), as I didn't like the look of question 4.
How did the exam go for you guys?
Oh yeah, I felt that the thematic essay questions could've been more diverse rather than just focusing on witch persecutions :/
Hey guys,
I took the same exam today and I hope I did well! I was pleased to see the Hopkins witch hunt come up as the interpretation question, and the other two thematic essays were quite nice too (hopefully!). I chose questions 2 and 3 (refer to the post 2 above), as I didn't like the look of question 4.
How did the exam go for you guys?
Oh yeah, I felt that the thematic essay questions could've been more diverse rather than just focusing on witch persecutions :/
I liked the interpretation question, as Farmer's was, in my opinion, substantially more convincing. There wasn't really a lot of room for debate.
How about you?

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WearilyPerrin
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#15
(Original post by LennyBicknel)
Yeah I'm feeling pretty confident
It does say in the spec that we're not required to know things in 'great detail' soo.. fingers crossed :P What's your approach to the interpretations section?
Yeah I'm feeling pretty confident

And I normally start with my judgement and generally why in the intro and then say why my favourite is my favourite and then say why the other was good but compare it to the other and say it wasn't good in comparison and then conclude
Sorry again about how I replied after the exam was over
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TheFrog98
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(Original post by LennyBicknel)
I really liked the first 2 essay questions - quite easy to talk about. I hope I included enough 'evaluation' and 'analysis' (whatever they actually mean) whilst I was regurgitating my examples :P The talked about Religious changes, changes in the judicial system and the intellectual 'pretext' for the first question, and for the second I mentioned the degree of judicial control, religious zeal, and socioeconomic factors (I would have included scepticism in more detail, but I kinda incorporated it into religious zeal).
I liked the interpretation question, as Farmer's was, in my opinion, substantially more convincing. There wasn't really a lot of room for debate.
How about you?
I really liked the first 2 essay questions - quite easy to talk about. I hope I included enough 'evaluation' and 'analysis' (whatever they actually mean) whilst I was regurgitating my examples :P The talked about Religious changes, changes in the judicial system and the intellectual 'pretext' for the first question, and for the second I mentioned the degree of judicial control, religious zeal, and socioeconomic factors (I would have included scepticism in more detail, but I kinda incorporated it into religious zeal).
I liked the interpretation question, as Farmer's was, in my opinion, substantially more convincing. There wasn't really a lot of room for debate.
How about you?


I agree, Farmer's interpretation was much better than the other one, I felt.
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LennyBicknel
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(Original post by TheFrog98)
Dudeeeeeee I wrote pretty much the same stuff as you! I think I wrote too much lol, hopefully i analysed and evaluated enough too...
I agree, Farmer's interpretation was much better than the other one, I felt.
Dudeeeeeee I wrote pretty much the same stuff as you! I think I wrote too much lol, hopefully i analysed and evaluated enough too...

I agree, Farmer's interpretation was much better than the other one, I felt.
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TheFrog98
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(Original post by LennyBicknel)
I just felt like the second guy referred to the idea of moral panic in the 16th century causing hunts in the 17th century, and didn't really touch on anything to do with the Civil War. It was quite hard to pick up on areas where Farmer neglected, I felt, considering he listed basically every factor I had in my head :P
I just felt like the second guy referred to the idea of moral panic in the 16th century causing hunts in the 17th century, and didn't really touch on anything to do with the Civil War. It was quite hard to pick up on areas where Farmer neglected, I felt, considering he listed basically every factor I had in my head :P
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BeckyDunnMills
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LennyBicknel
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I'd be more than happy to supply notes and/or give advice for this unit for people starting it in September

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