The Enlightenment in England and France

This module looks at current debates on the interpretation of the Enlightenment, and its formative role in shaping the modern world. You’ll develop a critical understanding the term “Enlightenment” in its English and French contexts, and learn to discuss with historical sensitivity important key texts of the Enlightenment. You’ll also gain an understanding of the social and political conditions in which texts were written, disseminated and read, and skill in oral presentation with due attention to tone and audience - a useful skill to offer to employers.

What does the module cover?

You’ll examine the differences between the character in of the Enlightenment in both France and England, and how social change, censorship and commercialisation shaped the context and opportunities for intellectual discussion. The module also looks at some of the key figures and texts of the Enlightenment in each country, such as Defoe’s Tour of the Whole island of Great Britain, selections from the Encyclopédie, and Voltaire’s English Letters.

Key Topics

• What is the Enlightenment?
• English Culture after the Glorious Revolution
• France in the Regency Period
• Swift and the conservative, Christian Enlightenment
• The Enlightenment, the writer and the Literary Market (1) Diderot
• The Enlightenment, the writer and the Literary Market (2) Samuel Johnson
• The Enlightenment and works of reference
• Rousseau and the critique of Enlightenment
• Collecting and Exploration in Enlightened Britain
• The Enlightenment and the Debate on women

Prerequisites

None

Number of credits and study time

15 credits, equivalent to 150 hours of study.

Assessment

Assessment for this module will comprise one or more tasks, which will take the form of an exam and/ or coursework  (essay, report or presentation).