Witches, Worms and Mushrooms: An Introduction to Microhistory

Microhistory allows us to tell small, occasionally very small stories, challenging common notions of historical epistemology and narrative. Unlike most trends in our field, microhistory was never limited to academia. The stories it produces are intentionally situated in political discourse, and their carefully crafted literary character makes them accessible to wider audiences. They usually are a good read. More interestingly, over the last forty years microhistory has managed to navigate changing theoretical and ideological conditions, making surprising reappearances in places far from the early modern peasants, witches, and somewhat exotic figures that surround its origins. The class will explore both these origins and contemporary approaches to microhistory. Looking for its diverse and sometimes concealed theoretical background, we might discover even more radical histories and worldings.