[dreus]

Dr. Hanley has taught this class for many years and I enjoyed having him as my professor during the spring 2008 semester.

The course focused on the revolutionary ideas that were presented in France during the 18th century. The many works that were studied (5 in total: 2 stories by Voltaire, 2 plays by Beaumarchais, and a selection of short pieces by Rousseau) served in critiquing the socio-political and religious situations from that time period. Classes generally involved going through the pieces thoroughly with emphasis on student discussions.

The grading scheme was as follows: a 45% paper, a 45% exam and a 10% class participation component. The grade received on the paper tends to foreshadow the final grade in the course.

The professor is engaging, enthusiastic in the course material and his many jokes are priceless. He also makes himself readily available for outside-of-classroom discussion and if additional guidance is required for papers and exam prep.

Overall, the course is an enjoyable one - since 'skepticism' was an important undertone in the works of the French writers during the 18th century - original thinking (e.g. an essasy refuting the ideas that were bought up in class) is encouraged. However, you should be ready to back up your argument.