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=** Nadia Bowser ** = I am considering the subject of History. I have read 2 extended essays and they are titled, "Colonialism and the Rwandan Genocide in 1994" (from//50 excellent extended essays // that are found on IST school server @ istfs01>public>library>extended essays) and "Continuity and Change In Japanese Policy Towards Jewish Refugees in Shanghai, 1938-1943" (from //50 excellent extended essays that are found on IST school server @ istfs01>public>library>extended essays). // I have carefully read the History subjext description and the criteria.  I have explored the researchstory wiki and have become familiar with the navigation. I can easily find due dates, session expectations, and MLA format.

I now know that I want to do the topic of History, and I know that I could ask Mr.Rossberg, Mr.Conway, or Mrs. Shanks to be my supervisor as they would be fit do so.

I have had one meeting and a brief run in with Mr. Conway, in our first meeting we discussed what topic I would like to do for my extended essay. I was considering writing about Hitler, but I realize that Hitler is very common and I decided I would write about Medieval Torture Methods. When I went to talk to Mr.Conway I told him my idea, and we discussed that there are several different approaches because there were many torture methods used for certain types of punishment. After running into Mr. Conway he talked about witch craft in particular so I decided that I would write my extended essay on medieval torture methods with regards to witch craft.

 Often one of the torture methods for being classed as a witch was to be burned at the stake and because women were generally the ones that were accused this picture depicts how gender specific witch hunts were between 1450-1750.

Through research I have found that the majority of people that were subjected to torturing between 1450-1750 were women so I have discussed and come up with a specific research question for my extended essay that was approved by my supervisor and it is as follows:

To what extent was hunting, torturing and killing witches from 1450-1750 gender related? PATHFINDER **Hunting, Torturing and Killing of Witches from 1450-1750**

To what extent was hunting, torturing and killing witches from 1450-1750 gender related? In this pathfinder are some very reliable sources that included information and some statistics about hunting, torturing and killing witches during 1450-1750 being gender related. I focused on it being gender related because it is apparent through the sources in this pathfinder that it was mainly related to women rather than men. This pathfinder includes sources that provide background information on witchcraft, torture methods and also include more in depth statistics and information about the actions towards witches being gender related.


 * General Advice for Researchers:**

Many sources of information can be found on the World Wide Web, but researchers should consider that primary sources (if the researcher can read Latin) are the best place to start. They provide an abundance of records of the accusations placed against witches, the types of torture methods used. If the researcher cannot read Latin there are several books on witchcraft. They provide statistical and background information on witchcraft and also show that in most cases witch-hunts were gender related. After reading these books many educational websites provide detailed information on witchcraft.


 * Books (Digitalized copies):**

Currie, Elliot P. // Law & Society Review //. 1st ed. Vol. 3. Blackwell, 1968. Print. 7-32. This source is valuable for the focus of witch accusations being gender related because it provides various information from different countries within Europe that ascertain to the subject. It provides information that focuses on both men and women that were accused

Demos, John. // The American Historical Review //. 5th ed. Vol. 75. American Historical Association, 1970. Print. 1311-1326. This source is important for the focus of hunting, torturing and killing witches being gender related because it addressed the Salem Witch Trials. It covers the issues regarding gender and whether or not the accusations for being a witch were predominantly female.

Horsley, Richard A. // History of Religions //. 1st ed. Vol. 19. University of Chicago, 1979. Print. 71-95. This source is important because it focuses on the religious beliefs towards witches. It provides information on beliefs towards both men and women. Thus is important in showing who was predominantly accused

Eliade, Mircea. // History of Religions //. 3rd ed. Vol. 14. University of Chicago, 1975. Print. 149-172. This source is valuable in showing the believed practices of witches. It provides information on practices followed by both men and women and further background information on witchcraft Bever, Edward. // Journal of Social History //. 4th ed. Vol. 35. Peter N. Stearns, 2002. Print. 955-988. This source is valuable because it focuses on witchcraft and female aggression. It provides information about the methodologies on witchcraft with regards to women.

Breslaw, Elaine G. // Ethnohistory //. 3rd ed. Vol. 44. Duke UP, 1997. Print. 535-556. This source focuses on a pivotal woman who confessed to being a witch. It provides information on the gender conflict and the story of Tituba.


 * Specific Internet Sites: **

Jones, Adam. "Gendercide Watch: European Witch-Hunts." // Gendercide Watch - Main Page //. 1999-2002. Web. 25 May 2010. . This site is critical because it focuses on "Gendercide". It provides information on which gender was predominantly accused but also gives information on the opposite gender. It also gives recommendations of books to further read that are related to “gendercide”.

Pavlac, Brian A. "Common Errors about Witch Hunts." // King's College - Wilkes-Barre, PA - 1-888-KINGS-PA //. 31 Oct. 2001. Web. 25 May 2010. . This site has a commentary on whether the witch-hunt’s that took place were gender specific. It provides information on both men and women.


 * Key Words: **

“Witchcraft”, “gendercide”, “witch-hunt”, “torturing”, “hunting”, “killing”


 * Additional Advice to Researchers: **

Be aware that various websites may not provide accurate information. Though many websites may not be accurate websites that would provide accurate information generally end with .edu, .org or .info. This is why books and primary sources are the best sources of information because the provide information on witchcraft and accusations towards both men and women. Though finding accurate information may not be as easy as hoped, this pathfinder should be a good starting point to help with any research ascertaining to the research question.

Nadia Bowser 5/25/2010

It does not have a wide variety of sources yet but I plan on spending a lot of time in the library this summer while in Canada because I know it has a much larger variety of books that can help with my research.

Here is a link to my pathfinder as a separate file: [|Pathfinder]

September 13
My research question is stil l "To what extent was hunting, torturing and killing witches from 1450-1750 gender related?"

=
This summer I had the chance to go to the library to do some research and find books that I could use as sources. I was able to find three of them that provided information for my question. I have a lot of secondary sources now and need to find a primary source that I could use that is translated. =====

**Bibliography**
Breslaw, Elaine G. // Ethnohistory //. 3rd ed. Vol. 44. Duke UP, 1997. Print. 535-556.

Bever, Edward. // Journal of Social History //. 4th ed. Vol. 35. Peter N. Stearns, 2002. Print. 955-988.

Currie, Elliot P. // Law & Society Review //. 1st ed. Vol. 3. Blackwell, 1968. Print. 7-32.

Demos, John. // The American Historical Review //. 5th ed. Vol. 75. American Historical Association, 1970. Print. 1311-1326.

Eliade, Mircea. // History of Religions //. 3rd ed. Vol. 14. University of Chicago, 1975. Print. 149-172.

Horsley, Richard A. // History of Religions //. 1st ed. Vol. 19. University of Chicago, 1979. Print. 71-95.

Jones, Adam. "Gendercide Watch: European Witch-Hunts." // Gendercide Watch - Main Page //. 1999-2002. Web. 25 May 2010. .

Pavlac, Brian A. "Common Errors about Witch Hunts." // King's College - Wilkes-Barre, PA - 1-888-KINGS-PA //. 31 Oct. 2001. Web. 25 May 2010. .

September 14- Thesis Statement
The hunting, killing, and torturing of witches from 1450- 1750 was gender related. The majority of people that were accused of being witches were female as opposed to the small amount of males that were also accused. Typically a female was accused of being a witch by a fellow female who was jealous of her for one reason or another. Though cases were reported that the accused was seen doing "black magic" often it was a lie.