Undergraduate Course: The Scottish Enlightenment (HIST10158)
Course Outline
| School | School of History, Classics and Archaeology |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Available to all students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 20 |
| Home subject area | History |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | This course examines the intellectual history of the Scottish Enlightenment, from the early eighteenth to the beginning of the nineteenth century. It will focus mainly on the development of moral philosophy in the writings of authors such as Francis Hutcheson, David Hume, and Adam Smith, and on the distinctive 'stadial' histories developed by the Scots, in particular the writings of Adam Smith, Adam Ferguson, and William Robertson. The course will, however, also involve the discussion of authors, such as George Anderson or John Witherspoon, who are less well-known now, but who played an important role in debates of the mid-eighteenth century. The changes in intellectual culture will also be related to the broader political and social background of eighteenth century Scotland. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | A pass or passes in 40 credits of first level historical courses or equivalent and a pass or passes in 40 credits of second level historical courses or equivalent.
Before enrolling students on this course, Directors are asked to contact the History Honours Admission Secretary to ensure that a place is available (Tel: 503783). |
| Additional Costs | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Visiting students should usually have at least 3 History courses at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this) for entry to this course. We will only consider University/College level courses.
** visiting students should contact the Visiting Student Section directly for admission to take this course ** |
| Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? | Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
| The aim of this course is firstly to introduce students to the study of intellectual history in general. In particular, it is intended as an introduction to the main debates within the Scottish Enlightenment and their contexts. There will be a strong emphasis on reading and interpreting primary sources critically, and on the use of contextual information to inquire into the meaning of these sources. Students will be encouraged to consider broader questions about the Scottish Enlightenment, such as its distinctiveness, compared to the Enlightenment in other parts of Europe, or the nature of the Enlightenment in general. |
Assessment Information
| The course will demand one 3,000-word essay (week 10) and one two-hour exam (May 2006). The essay will make up one third of the final assessment. The exam will be worth two thirds of the final assessment. Students can expect written feedback and written consultation on their work. |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Thomas Ahnert
Tel: (0131 6)50 3777
Email: Thomas.Ahnert@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Tamsin Welch
Tel: (0131 6)50 2306
Email: Tamsin.Welch@ed.ac.uk |
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