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Explore the revolutionary legal and political thought of Enlightenment France, from Montesquieu's theory of laws to Rousseau's social contract and the philosophical foundations of the 1789 Declaration of Rights. This school traces how French thinkers reimagined sovereignty, justice, natural law, and the relationship between citizens and the state.
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Sign up to enrollLevel 100
ReadyIntroduce yourself to the core ideas, thinkers, and historical context of 18th-century French legal philosophy. By the end of this course, you will be able to identify the major figures, define key concepts like natural law and sovereignty, and explain why this era transformed Western legal thinking.
4 modules · Teacher: Professor Céleste
Level 200
LockedEngage directly with the primary arguments of the three most influential French legal philosophers of the 18th century. You will analyze Montesquieu's separation of powers, Rousseau's general will, and Voltaire's campaign for legal reform, and trace how their ideas interacted and conflicted.
Unlocks when the previous course is complete.
Level 300
LockedExamine how Enlightenment legal philosophy was translated into revolutionary documents, institutions, and debates during the 1780s and 1790s. You will critically evaluate the 1789 Declaration of the Rights of Man, analyze the legal thought of revolutionary figures, and assess where theory succeeded or failed in practice.
Unlocks when the previous course is complete.
Level 400
LockedSynthesize your knowledge of 18th-century French legal philosophy by engaging with its long-term legacy, its critics, and its relevance to contemporary legal and political debates. You will produce original analytical work that situates Enlightenment legal thought within broader intellectual history and evaluates its enduring influence on modern constitutionalism and human rights law.
Unlocks when the previous course is complete.
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