A Crucible for Change: Enlightenment in Britain, 1688-1801 (P01715)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : HCA-P-Crucible

This course is based on issues discussed in the course organiser's contribution to Martin Fitzpatrick et al, eds., The Enlightenment World (London and New York: Routledge, 2004) and a chapter in his book British History 1660-1832: National Identity and Local Culture (1998/9). There has been renewed interest in the national context of the Enlightenment in the last twenty years, and this course will provide a framework for exploring this issue in a British context, including Ireland's cultural relationship to the idea of Britain in the eighteenth century. Subjects that will be explored will include:
- Newton and the Enlightenment in Britain
- The Huguenots and European Influence on the early Enlightenment in Britain
- The Revolution of 1688 and the origins of British Enlightenment culture
- The Growth of Toleration in Britain
- The Rise of the Public in British Enlightenment culture
- The expansion of commerce and culture
- The extension of 'Englishness' through Enlightenment culture
- The Urban Renaissance of the British Enlightenment
- Club culture
- Gender and the idea of Britain

Entry Requirements

? This course is not available to visting students.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Postgraduate (School of History and Classics), (School of History, Classics and Archaeology, Schedule E)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 1 hour(s) 50 minutes per week for 11 weeks

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Students will enhance their skills at close reading and analysis of primary texts and secondary literature. They will also:

- Explore the complex literature relating to cultural history in a national context.

- Test their ideas in inter-active seminars.

- Develop their analytical skills through writing a 4000 word essay on a question to be agreed with the course organiser.

- Take responsibility for their own learning and develop their ability to carry out independent research.

- Develop expertise in the use of the outstanding array of research resources relating to this course available in Edinburgh.