GENT 410/10/22–The Age of Reason (1690-1775)
The course surveys the age of rationalism in Western history based on the philosophies of Leibniz, Locke, Hume, and Berkeley. It also examines the triumph of the bourgeoisie in English politics in the modifications of the social contract theory (which likewise becomes the basis for the American Declaration of Independence) , the beginnings of the novel, movements in the arts, the reaction to all of this in the great Evangelical Movements across Europe and America, and the foundations – in war and economics – for the French Revolution.
Tuesday October 14, 2025
8:45-9:40 Transition from the Baroque and rise of the “Academy,” Gamble Transition from the Baroque and the Academy
9:40-9:55 Break
9:55-10:50 Eighteenth-century People (Agriculture, Serfdom, and Slavery), Najm
Thursday October 16, 2025
8:45-9:40 Enlightenment Philosophy, Stephanie
9:40-9:55 Break
9:55-10:50 Denis Diderot and The Encyclopedia Diderot Encyclopedia 2017
Tuesday October 21, 2025
8:45-9:40 The “Rococo” style, Gamble The Rococo
9:40-9:55 Break
9:55-10:50 The American Revolution, Najm
Thursday October 23, 2025
8:45-9:40 Anton Wilhelm Amo, Stephanie
9:40-9:55 Break
9:55-10:50 Moll Flanders and the Rise of the English Novel, Alan The Rise of the English Novel.pptx
Tuesday October 28, 2025
8:45-9:40 “Naturalism” in genre scenes and portraiture, Gamble Naturalism in Genre Scenes and Portraiture
9:40-9:55 Break
9:55-10:50 The Scientific Revolution, Najm
Thursday October 30, 2025
8:45-9:40 Hume, Stephanie
9:40-9:55 Break
9:55-10:50 The Federalist Papers and the Constitution, Alan The Federalist Papers
Tuesday November 4, 2025
8:45-9:40 Kant, Stephanie
9:40-9:55 Break
9:55-10:50 Washington’s “Farewell Address”, Alan Washington’s Farewell Address_ An Exhortation to Unity and Caution against Partisanship
Thursday November 6, 2025
8:45-9:40 Dialogue, Team Dialogue 10
9:40-9:55 Break
9:55-10:50 Exam on Canvas for those taking for a Grade