The Enlightenment took place over a century with an ever changing cast of characters altering the way Western Culture viewed and interacted every facet of life. Among the founders were Rene Descartes, John Locke and inadvertently, Issac Newton. Educated at religious colleges, often by the Jesuits, the Enlightenment turned against Christianity. Patronized by kings and aristocrats, the Enlightenment turned to democracy. Believing deeply in the wisdom of the ancients, the Enlightenment became intellectually independent. The Enlightenment made advances in every aspect of western life: science, medicine, economics, education, literature, psychology and political science. Enlightened figures' facility with language makes reading about them a delight. They often fought one another. Rousseau's denunciation of the arts and sciences provoked Voltaire to respond he had never read anything that convinced him he should be running around on four legs, but he'd given up the habit. Men of the Enlightenment fought for secularism, humanity, tolerance and freedom through criticism and power.

Historical novels tell interesting stories about a time, a place, and the people living there. Authors must do extensive research so their writing accurately reflects the history. Using "The Owl Was a Baker’s Daughter" by Grace Tiffany (a WMU faculty member) as the launching point, this class will offer a onehour look at the history of the English civil wars between Royalists and Roundheads in the 17th century to provide historical context for the novel. We will then spend an hour discussing the novel as contemporary literature. Readers and history buffs welcome! Participants should read "The Owl Was a Baker’s Daughter" before class.