The Scottish Enlightenment SPS4001

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: School of Social and Political Sciences
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

The course is a historical and textual introduction to the Scottish Enlightenment. It examines the nature of eighteenth century Scotland and the extraordinary group of thinkers that were produced by it.

Timetable

There will be 10 weekly sessions of two hours. Each session will consist of a one hour lecture and a one hour seminar.

Requirements of Entry

Mandatory Entry Requirements

Students must meet the entry requirements for studying Honours within the MA (SocSci) or MA (Arts) degree.

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

Assessment

All of the intended learning outcomes of the course will be summatively assessed through the combination of assessment methods: a 2,000-2,500 word essay worth 50% of the course overall and a ninety minute examination worth 50% of the course overall. The intended learning outcomes are that students are able to:

 

■ demonstrate knowledge of the key ideas developed by the thinkers of the Scottish Enlightenment;

■ explain and analyse these ideas both within their historical context and in more general analytical terms;

■ develop written and oral arguments assessing and interacting with these ideas and their legacy;

compare the Scottish Enlightenment with other national Enlightenments and critically examine the contemporary relevance of these ideas.

Main Assessment In: April/May

Are reassessment opportunities available for all summative assessments? Not applicable

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Course Aims

The course aims to introduce students to the Scottish Enlightenment by engaging with the thought of a group of Scottish thinkers from the eighteenth century and examining their role in the early development of political science, sociology and economics.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ demonstrate knowledge of the key ideas developed by the thinkers of the Scottish Enlightenment;

■ explain and analyse these ideas both within their historical context and in more general analytical terms;

■ develop written and oral arguments assessing and interacting with these ideas and their legacy;

■ compare the Scottish Enlightenment with other national Enlightenments and critically examine the contemporary relevance of these ideas.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.