Sophomores Shine During Age of Enlightenment Studies

11/20/2024

It was a true “meeting of the minds” last week in Eric Shapiro’s World History II class.

His tenth grade students prepared for a roundtable presentation and discussion in character as part of their study of the intellectual movement centered in Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Students researched famous thinkers from Catherine the Great to Voltaire. In class, they gave speeches about their persona’s lives and lasting impact. An inspired Caroline Miller ’27 came to class dressed as John Locke, the English philosopher and physician.

“I enjoy going ‘all out’ for history presentations,” Miller said. “Last year I wore a toga for my ancient Greek debate, so I felt I needed to step it up. Dressing up helps me get more into character for who I am supposed to be. It helps me speak about their ideas and morals when presenting.”

Miller was drawn to the lively debate: “There were a variety of different historical figures, some with opposing views. For example, John Locke and Thomas Hobbes had very different ideas and values, and arguing with the person that played him was one of the highlights.”

In the voice of Baruch Spinoza, the Dutch Portuguese Jewish philosopher, Phin Savage ’27 spoke about Spinoza’s philosophies on religion and natural law.

“I enjoyed drawing connections between different philosophies and seeing how philosophers build on each other's ideas while expanding in different ways,” he said.

Shapiro praised his students for a well-executed assignment. “They were engaged and knowledgeable about their characters,” he said. The class will now move on to the study of French and Haitian revolutions. It remains to be seen if Robespierre will appear at a seat at the Harkness table.