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This course aims to study a broad range of cultural phenomena, and more specifically aesthetic and literary writings, pertaining to the so-called Scottish Enlightenment, the "conjunction of minds, ideas, and publications in Scotland" (Britannica)
in the 18th century, with Edinburgh its centre. Among its key figures – apart from notable scientists, architects etc – are empiricist and common sense philosophers, historians, theologians, and critics such as David Hume, Adam Smith, Lord Kames, James Beattie, Thomas Reid and others, as well as novelists and poets such as James Thomson, James McPherson, Tobias Smollet. Marking specific generic developments such as the sentimental novel or pastoral poetry, too, the discourse of the Scottish Enlightenment eventually advanced towards Scottish Romanticism (Robert Burns, James Hogg, Walter Scott etc.; to be discussed in Wolfram Keller's seminar and/or in a follow-up tandem-taught seminar in WS 2013/14 on the Scottish historical novel).
Students will have the opportunity to participate in a joint excursion (co-organized by Wolfram Keller and Helga Schwalm for students of their Scottish literature seminars) to Edinburgh, Glasgow, and the Scottish Highlands in order to pursue their research projects in Scotland. This (non-obligatory) excursion will take place at the end of September 2013. An informational meeting will take place at the end of February. If you are interested in participating in the ineexcursion, please contact me and Wolfram Keller by email by 20 February 2013 at < helga.schwalm@rz.hu-berlin.de> and <wolfram.keller@staff.hu-berlin.de>.
Recommended Introductory Reading:
Alexander Broadie, ed. The Cambridge Companion to the Scottish Enlightenment. Cambridge: CUP, 2003. A moodle platform will be available by the beginning of term.
The 'Lektürekurs' offers space for additional critical reading and the preparation of the excursion. |
