Europe in the Age of Enlightenment and Revolution, 1648-1848

Catalog description

This courses will explore European history from the Age of Louis XIV to the mid-nineteenth-century revolutions, tracing the changes in ideas about politics, governance, and society as they evolved from theories of divine rule to the realities of mass politics. Particular attention will be paid to the phenomena of absolutism and enlightened despotism, the general transformation of intellectual thought known as the Enlightenment, and the events leading up to the French Revolution. Finally, the course will trace the impact of the French Revolution on European society, culture, and politics, highlighting the developments that made mass political participation possible. Prerequisites: Non-majors may enroll with consent of department.