347 Winter 1998

The Enlightenment
Winter Semester 1998
Frank Luttmer
108 Classic Hall
M W F: 8-9, T R: 10-11
866-7205
historians@hanover.edu

Course Description and Objectives
This course is a seminar on the eighteenth-century Enlightenment, focusing especially on the history of ideas. Readings include numerous works by the philosophes and a recent interpretive essay that addresses the social and political context of the Enlightenment and historiographical themes. The course is designed not only to promote a historical understanding of the Enlightenment but also to encourage the development of the skills of historical research and writing. Seminar members will be expected to analyze primary documents carefully and thoughtfully, develop and defend their own interpretations, and write a substantive research paper.

Readings
Dorinda Outram, The Enlightenment
Beccaria, On Crimes and Punishments
David Hume, Treatise of Human Nature
Montesquieu, Selected Political Writings
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, The Essential Rousseau
Adam Smith, The Essential Adam Smith
Voltaire, Candide, Zadig, and Selected Stories
Primary texts taken from the Internet or on reserve in the library.

Joseph Williams, Style (recommended)

Grades
Final grades will be based on an evaluation of the following.

1. Two mid-term exams (15% each) and a final exam (20%)

Exams will consist of short-answer questions and large essay questions. Each of the three exams will cover roughly one-third of the course; the third exam will also include a comprehensive section.
2. A Research paper submitted in two drafts (15% for the first draft and 20% for the second)

The research paper can be on any topic in Enlightenment history. Papers are to be analytical and interpretive; they should present a thesis and develop an argument. You are encouraged to use primary sources, and you are expected to examine the historiographical context of your topic. The grade of each draft will be based on the quality of the thesis and argument, the quality of the evidence and logic, and the quality of the writing. The grade of the second draft will also reflect the improvement (or lack of improvement) shown between the first and second draft. You should consult with me about your paper at least a week before each draft is due.
3. Class participation and daily writing assignments (15%)

As a small seminar, the success of this class depends upon the quality of the dialogue in class. It is expected that you will attend every class and that you will be fully prepared to discuss the material assigned for that day. Class participation grades will reflect your attendance record, the frequency of your contributions to class discussions, and the quality of your questions, observations, and conclusions.
Each of you will submit a short writing assignment by 8 a.m. on class days. You are to write one or two paragraphs (but not more than one page) summarizing the most significant or revealing points in the day's readings. You are also to articulate questions you have of the material, including at least one substantive, open-ended question that lends itself to different interpretations and could serve as the basis of a discussion. The assignments are to be type-written and may be submitted through email or placed in my mailbox.

Schedule

Jan. 7:
Historiography and Social Context
Outram, 1-30
Jan. 9:
"The Reasonableness of Christianity"
Outram, 31-46; Locke, Christianity
Jan 12:
"The Reasonableness of Christianity"
Locke, Essay; Locke, Miracles; Blount
Jan. 14:
"Modern Pagans"
Voltaire; d’Holbach
Jan. 16:
The Scientific Outlook
Outram, 47-62; Newton; Smith, 27-36
Jan. 19:
David Hume
Hume, xiii-xix, 1-15, 69-94, 124-142
Jan. 21:
David Hume
Hume, 173-179, 225-231, 263-274
Jan. 23:
David Hume
Hume; Hume
Jan. 26:
Voltaire
Voltaire, 173-191, 329-346, 15-41
Jan. 28:
Voltaire
Voltaire, 41-101
Jan. 30:
Voltaire
Voltaire, 102-136, 164-172
Feb. 2:
FIRST EXAM
Feb. 4:
Human Nature: Unity and Diversity
Outram, 63-95
Feb. 6:
Human Nature: Unity and Diversity
Montesquieu, 55-83; Diderot
Feb. 9:
Human Nature: Unity and Diversity
Voltaire, 255-318
Feb. 11:
Government and Political Theory
Outram, 96-113; Montesquieu, 85-105
Feb. 13:
Government and Political Theory
Montesquieu, 106-160
Feb. 16:
Government and Political Theory
Montesquieu, 161-229
Feb. 18:
Government and Political Theory
Montesquieu, 230-242; Beccaria, 1-33
Feb. 20:
Goverment and Political Theory
Beccaria, 33-81
Mar. 2:
David Hume
Hume, 275-279, 329-332, 366-368, 455-484
Mar. 4:
David Hume
Hume, 484-534
Mar. 5:
FIRST DRAFT OF PAPER DUE
Mar. 6:
David Hume
Hume, 534-591
Mar. 9:
David Hume
Hume, 592-621
Mar. 11:
SECOND EXAM
Mar. 13:
Adam Smith
Smith, 65-109
Mar. 16:
Adam Smith
Smith, 109-147
Mar. 18:
Adam Smith
Smith, 159-210
Mar. 20:
Adam Smith
Smith, 210-269
Mar. 23:
Adam Smith
Smith, 269-320
Mar. 25:
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Rousseau, 127-172
Mar. 27:
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Rousseau, 173-230
Mar. 30:
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Rousseau, 233-292
Apr. 1:
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Rousseau, 8-66
Apr. 3:
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Rousseau, 66-114
Apr. 6:
Enlightenment and Revolution
Outram, 114-127; Madison
Apr. 8:
Enlightenment and Revolution
Madison; Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen; Robespierre
Apr. 10:
Enlightenment and Revolution
Robespierre
FINAL DRAFT OF PAPER DUE
Apr. 13-17:
FINAL EXAM

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