Are you curious about how French Enlightenment thinkers reshaped modern ideas of freedom, reason, and society? This French course explores the philosophy of the 18th century, a period marked by bold critiques of political and religious authority and a new confidence in human reason. Through key texts, debates, and discussions, you will discover how Enlightenment philosophers laid the foundations of modern democracy, secularism...
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
This 3-week course offers an in-depth introduction to French Enlightenment philosophy. The course examines how thinkers such as Montesquieu, Voltaire, Rousseau, and Diderot challenged traditional authority and imagined new forms of political and social organisation.
What will we cover?
The Enlightenment context and the role of the philosophes: • The historical and cultural background of 18th-century France. • The rise of reason, critique, and public debate. • The philosophes as public intellectuals.
Key thinkers and ideas of the French Enlightenment: • Montesquieu and the separation of powers. • Voltaire on tolerance, freedom of expression, and criticism of authority. • Rousseau and the social contract, nature, and the general will. • Diderot and the Encyclopédie as a project of knowledge, education, and emancipation.
Major themes of Enlightenment philosophy: • Liberty, equality, and political reform. • The relationship between the individual and society. • Knowledge, progress, and the role of education.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Identify the main thinkers of the French Enlightenment and their key ideas.
Understand and explain central Enlightenment concepts such as reason, liberty, tolerance, and social contract.
Discuss philosophical ideas in French using appropriate vocabulary and structures.
Analyse how Enlightenment philosophy responded to the political and social context of the 18th century.
Express informed opinions and participate confidently in discussions on philosophical themes.
This course will also strengthen your linguistic skills, helping you develop richer vocabulary and greater fluency when discussing abstract ideas, history, and culture in French.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is taught entirely in French and is suitable for learners at level 4 (B2) or those who have studied French for approximately five years. No prior knowledge of philosophy is required—only curiosity and a willingness to engage with ideas and discussion.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The course is interactive and discussion-based, using presentations, short texts, extracts from philosophical works, and audio-visual materials. You will take part in guided discussions and group activities. Homework is strongly encouraged to reinforce understanding and expand vocabulary but is not compulsory.
This course uses Google Classroom, a digital learning platform where all the teaching and learning resources can be found. Here are some common answers to questions about Google Classroom.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no additional costs and no specific materials required for this course.
Dr Maša Uzelac holds a BA (Hons) and an MA degree in Romance Studies from the University of Novi Sad in Serbia. She specialised in French, Italian, and Portuguese language and literature. She has an extensive experience in MFL teaching, both in Higher Education and as a private language tutor. Maša completed a PhD in French Studies at the University of Galway in Ireland. Her research interests include literature, politics, and philosophy. Maša's most recent research project explored the concept of ambivalent utopianism in the works of authors Michel Houellebecq and Aldous Huxley. Maša lived in different countries including Serbia, Portugal, France and Ireland. She is currently based in Liverpool and works as an Associate Tutor in French at Edge Hill University. She speaks Serbian, French, English, Italian, Portuguese and Hungarian
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/french-4-5-les-lumieres-francaises3032998French 4/5: Les Lumières Françaiseshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/french-2-low-at-a-gentle-pace-mod-1-lf265-1024.jpg129129GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Languages/Courses/Languages/European/Courses/Languages/European/French/Courses/Online courses/Courses/New courses2285128012811287173117431228512801281<p>Are you curious about how French Enlightenment thinkers reshaped modern ideas of freedom, reason, and society? This French course explores the philosophy of the 18th century, a period marked by bold critiques of political and religious authority and a new confidence in human reason. Through key texts, debates, and discussions, you will discover how Enlightenment philosophers laid the foundations of modern democracy, secularism, and social thought.</p>003032950French 4/5: Les Lumières Françaises129129https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/french-2-low-at-a-gentle-pace-mod-1-lf265-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeMonOnlineAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekday2026-10-26T00:00:00+00:00AdvancedOct 2026LanguagesLFW74129129French 4/5: Les Lumières Françaises10384129Masa Uzelacfrench-4-5-les-lumieres-francaises/lfw74-2627<p>Are you curious about how French Enlightenment thinkers reshaped modern ideas of freedom, reason, and society? This French course explores the philosophy of the 18th century, a period marked by bold critiques of political and religious authority and a new confidence in human reason. Through key texts, debates, and discussions, you will discover how Enlightenment philosophers laid the foundations of modern democracy, secularism, and social thought.</p>0000-Available|2026-10-26 00:00:00<p>This 3-week course offers an in-depth introduction to French Enlightenment philosophy. The course examines how thinkers such as Montesquieu, Voltaire, Rousseau, and Diderot challenged traditional authority and imagined new forms of political and social organisation.</p><p> </p><p>Are you curious about how French Enlightenment thinkers reshaped modern ideas of freedom, reason, and society? This French course explores the philosophy of the 18th century, a period marked by bold critiques of political and religious authority and a new confidence in human reason. Through key texts, debates, and discussions, you will discover how Enlightenment philosophers laid the foundations of modern democracy, secularism, and social thought.</p><p><strong>The Enlightenment context and the role of the <em>philosophes</em>:</strong><br/>• The historical and cultural background of 18th-century France.<br/>• The rise of reason, critique, and public debate.<br/>• The <em>philosophes</em> as public intellectuals.</p><p><strong>Key thinkers and ideas of the French Enlightenment:</strong><br/>• Montesquieu and the separation of powers.<br/>• Voltaire on tolerance, freedom of expression, and criticism of authority.<br/>• Rousseau and the social contract, nature, and the general will.<br/>• Diderot and the <em>Encyclopédie</em> as a project of knowledge, education, and emancipation.</p><p><strong>Major themes of Enlightenment philosophy:</strong><br/>• Liberty, equality, and political reform.<br/>• The relationship between the individual and society.<br/>• Knowledge, progress, and the role of education.</p><ul><li>Identify the main thinkers of the French Enlightenment and their key ideas.</li><li>Understand and explain central Enlightenment concepts such as reason, liberty, tolerance, and social contract.</li><li>Discuss philosophical ideas in French using appropriate vocabulary and structures.</li><li>Analyse how Enlightenment philosophy responded to the political and social context of the 18th century.</li><li>Express informed opinions and participate confidently in discussions on philosophical themes.</li></ul><p>This course will also strengthen your linguistic skills, helping you develop richer vocabulary and greater fluency when discussing abstract ideas, history, and culture in French.</p><p>This course is taught entirely in French and is suitable for learners at level 4 (B2) or those who have studied French for approximately five years. No prior knowledge of philosophy is required—only curiosity and a willingness to engage with ideas and discussion.</p><p>The course is interactive and discussion-based, using presentations, short texts, extracts from philosophical works, and audio-visual materials. You will take part in guided discussions and group activities. Homework is strongly encouraged to reinforce understanding and expand vocabulary but is not compulsory.</p><p><strong>This course uses Google Classroom</strong>, a digital learning platform where all the teaching and learning resources can be found. <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/common-questions-about-google-classroom" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Here</a> are some common answers to questions about Google Classroom.</p><p>There are no additional costs and no specific materials required for this course.</p><p>You may also wish to consider our<a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/languages/language-culture" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong> language and culture</strong></a><strong> </strong>or our<strong> <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/languages/conversation" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">conversation courses</a></strong><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/languages/conversation" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong> </strong></a>to expand and consolidate your learning. </p>EuropeanFrenchvirtual10312984LFW74NONEMon26/10/26 - 16/11/2611:00 - 13:0011:0013:004 sessions (over 4 weeks)41 to 4 weeksDaytimeWeekdayOnlineOnlineMasa UzelacAdvancedAvailable courses2026-10-26T00:00:00+00:00Oct 2026Languages129129French 4/5: Les Lumières Françaisesfrench-4-5-les-lumieres-francaises/lfw74-2627<p>Are you curious about how French Enlightenment thinkers reshaped modern ideas of freedom, reason, and society? This French course explores the philosophy of the 18th century, a period marked by bold critiques of political and religious authority and a new confidence in human reason. Through key texts, debates, and discussions, you will discover how Enlightenment philosophers laid the foundations of modern democracy, secularism, and social thought.</p>0000-Available|2026-10-26 00:00:00<p>This 3-week course offers an in-depth introduction to French Enlightenment philosophy. The course examines how thinkers such as Montesquieu, Voltaire, Rousseau, and Diderot challenged traditional authority and imagined new forms of political and social organisation.</p><p> </p><p>Are you curious about how French Enlightenment thinkers reshaped modern ideas of freedom, reason, and society? This French course explores the philosophy of the 18th century, a period marked by bold critiques of political and religious authority and a new confidence in human reason. Through key texts, debates, and discussions, you will discover how Enlightenment philosophers laid the foundations of modern democracy, secularism, and social thought.</p><p><strong>The Enlightenment context and the role of the <em>philosophes</em>:</strong><br/>• The historical and cultural background of 18th-century France.<br/>• The rise of reason, critique, and public debate.<br/>• The <em>philosophes</em> as public intellectuals.</p><p><strong>Key thinkers and ideas of the French Enlightenment:</strong><br/>• Montesquieu and the separation of powers.<br/>• Voltaire on tolerance, freedom of expression, and criticism of authority.<br/>• Rousseau and the social contract, nature, and the general will.<br/>• Diderot and the <em>Encyclopédie</em> as a project of knowledge, education, and emancipation.</p><p><strong>Major themes of Enlightenment philosophy:</strong><br/>• Liberty, equality, and political reform.<br/>• The relationship between the individual and society.<br/>• Knowledge, progress, and the role of education.</p><ul><li>Identify the main thinkers of the French Enlightenment and their key ideas.</li><li>Understand and explain central Enlightenment concepts such as reason, liberty, tolerance, and social contract.</li><li>Discuss philosophical ideas in French using appropriate vocabulary and structures.</li><li>Analyse how Enlightenment philosophy responded to the political and social context of the 18th century.</li><li>Express informed opinions and participate confidently in discussions on philosophical themes.</li></ul><p>This course will also strengthen your linguistic skills, helping you develop richer vocabulary and greater fluency when discussing abstract ideas, history, and culture in French.</p><p>This course is taught entirely in French and is suitable for learners at level 4 (B2) or those who have studied French for approximately five years. No prior knowledge of philosophy is required—only curiosity and a willingness to engage with ideas and discussion.</p><p>The course is interactive and discussion-based, using presentations, short texts, extracts from philosophical works, and audio-visual materials. You will take part in guided discussions and group activities. Homework is strongly encouraged to reinforce understanding and expand vocabulary but is not compulsory.</p><p><strong>This course uses Google Classroom</strong>, a digital learning platform where all the teaching and learning resources can be found. <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/common-questions-about-google-classroom" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Here</a> are some common answers to questions about Google Classroom.</p><p>There are no additional costs and no specific materials required for this course.</p><p>You may also wish to consider our<a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/languages/language-culture" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong> language and culture</strong></a><strong> </strong>or our<strong> <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/languages/conversation" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">conversation courses</a></strong><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/languages/conversation" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong> </strong></a>to expand and consolidate your learning. </p>EuropeanFrenchconfigurable
