This is an 10 week seminar, starting September 27th, 2017.
Moderator: Jim Harvey
Day and Time: Wednesday, 10:00AM-Noon
Location: Smith College Campus Center Room 003
(parking permit required; provided to participants by moderator)
The 18th century was a pivotal time for the United States as the American Colonies broke away from the British Empire. But what was going on in Britain? What kind of monarch was King George? What changes were going on in British society, economy, and science? Who were the creative geniuses in the arts, science and politics? This seminar will attempt to shed some light on these questions. We will not attempt a comprehensive study, for that would require more time than we have. Rather, we will gain a glimpse of what Britain was like by looking at some of the interesting people and developments that shaped its society during that century Here are a few of the many possible topics: • Queen Anne • George Fredrick Handel • King George III and the House of Hanover • Robert Walpole and British politics • Adam Smith • Richard Arkwright and industrialization
• William Wilberforce and the slave trade
• The Gin Acts and alcoholism
• Lady Mary Wortley Montagu
• William Blake
• William Hogarth
• Jane Austen
• Samuel Johnson
• Edward Jenner and medicine
• William and Caroline Herschel, astronomers
• The role of women
Role of participants:
Prepare and deliver a presentation of 30-40 min. duration, participate in class discussion and to read the background material.
The moderator will provide a list of suggested publications and/or resources, such as England in the Eighteenth Century by J.H. Plumb, Pelican.
About the Moderator:
In retirement Jim has gotten very interested in history. He has led many seminars over the past 14 years on a variety of topics.
Maximum number of participants: 17
Emeritus/a accepted: yes, up to 2