Aims of the course
This course aims to:
1. Develop a balanced understanding of Mary Wollstonecraft’s Vindications.
2. Develop a balanced understanding of Edmund Burke’s Reflections on the Revolution in France.
3. Develop an appreciation of Wollstonecraft as a political theorist.
This course aims to provide a balanced view of Mary Wollstonecraft’s response to Edmund Burke’s Reflections on the Revolution in France (1790). It will therefore consider Burke’s A Philosophical Enquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful (1757) as well as his Reflections then turn to her Vindication of the Rights of Men (1790) and Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792) and some of her subsequent works.
Content
Wollstonecraft is often considered principally as the author of A Vindication of the Rights of Woman. To do so in isolation from her earlier A Vindication of the Rights of Men is regrettable as this work provides the basis of her more famous text. It also obscures the importance of her critique of Burke in shaping her thought. The lectures will take us to Burke’s A Philosophical Enquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful (1757) so as to understand what Wollstonecraft thought so objectionable about his view of beauty as well as his Reflections then turn to her Vindication of the Rights of Men (1790) and Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792) and some of her subsequent works. In so doing, we will gain an insight into some of both authors ideas and thereby a glimpse into the intellectual history of the 18th century.
Presentation of the course
The lectures are text based. We will consider some of Burke’s and Wollstonecraft’s principal works. The first lecture will consider Burke’s A Philosophical Enquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful (1757) and its influence. The second lecture will focus on his Reflections. The third will examine Wollstonecraft’s Vindication of the Rights of Men. The fourth, her Vindication of the Rights of Woman, and the fifth, her later works.
Class sessions
The lectures are text based. We will consider some of Burke’s and Wollstonecraft’s principal works.
1. The first lecture will consider Burke’s A Philosophical Enquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful (1757): the idea of beauty, the idea of the sublime and the influence of the work.
2. The second lecture will focus on his Reflections: context, critique of Richard Price, assessment of events in revolutionary France, view of civilization and the nature of society and government.
3. The third will examine Wollstonecraft’s Vindication of the Rights of Men: her view of Burke, beauty, property, property, and love.
4. The fourth, her Vindication of the Rights of Woman: the relation between the two Vindications, her view of education, Rousseau, her view of French pedagogical proposals, her hopes for women.
5. And the fifth, her later works: travels to France, Scandinavia, view of commerce, and civilisation.
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes for this course are:
1. A more nuanced understanding of Burke and Wollstonecraft than one might otherwise gain from some of the literature on both.
2. An insight into aspects of 18th-century intellectual history.
3. An opportunity to reflect on ideas of beauty, consumption, rights and duties.
Required reading
*Wollstonecraft, A Vindication of the Rights of Men and A Vindication of the Rights of Woman and Hints
*Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in France
Typical week: Monday to Friday
Courses run from Monday to Friday. For each week of study, you select a morning (Am) course and an afternoon (Pm) course. The maximum class size is 25 students.
Courses are complemented by a series of daily plenary lectures, exploring new ideas in a wide range of disciplines. To add to the learning experience, we are also planning additional evening talks and events.
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c.7.30am-9.00am
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Breakfast in College (for residents)
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9.00am-10.30am
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Am Course
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11.00am-12.15pm
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Plenary Lecture
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12.15pm-1.30pm
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Lunch
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1.30pm-3.00pm
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Pm Course
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3.30pm-4.45pm
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Plenary Lecture/Free
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6.00pm/6.15pm-7.15pm
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Dinner in College (for residents)
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7.30pm onwards
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Evening talk/Event/Free
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Evaluation and Academic Credit
If you are seeking to enhance your own study experience, or earn academic credit from your Cambridge Summer Programme studies at your home institution, you can submit written work for assessment for one or more of your courses.
Essay questions are set and assessed against the University of Cambridge standard by your Course Director, a list of essay questions can be found in the Course Materials. Essays are submitted two weeks after the end of each course, so those studying for multiple weeks need to plan their time accordingly. There is an evaluation fee of £75 per essay.
For more information about writing essays see Evaluation and Academic Credit.
Certificate of attendance
A certificate of attendance will be sent to you electronically after the programme.
