SHERMAN, TEXAS — Austin College will present the event series, “Darwin 200” during the upcoming academic year in celebration of the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth February 12, 1809, and the 150th anniversary of the publication of his widely influential book The Origin of Species (1859).
The events include a lecture series, “Darwin 200: Contributions/Controversies.” The series examines Darwin’s influence not only in the sciences but also in the social sciences and humanities, through disciplines such as psychology, economics, literature, philosophy, and religion. Lectures also will address some of the misunderstandings and controversies surrounding evolution.
“Almost no one has had more scientific influence and broader cultural impact than Darwin,” said George Diggs, professor of biology, who has helped organize the events. “In fact, few areas of thought remain untouched by Darwin’s contributions.”
Fall term speakers for “Darwin 200: Contributions/Controversies” include George Diggs, Austin College professor of biology, September 11 at 11 a.m.; Piers Hale, University of Oklahoma assistant professor of the history of science, September 25 at 11 a.m.; and Steven Goldsmith, Austin College professor of biology, Oct. 30 at 11 a.m. These lectures are scheduled for Ida Green Theatre in the Ida Green Communication Center.
David Quammen, author of The Reluctant Mr. Darwin will speak February 10 at 7 p.m. in Ida Green Theatre. Philip Gingerich, University of Michigan Case Collegiate Professor of Paleontology, will speak in March 2009 but specifics are not yet available. David Buss, professor of psychology at the University of Texas, will speak April 24, time and location to be determined. Additional speakers may be added to the schedule.
The lecture series coordinates with two major campus programs: the summer read — The Reluctant Mr. Darwin, and the April 24-25, 2009, annual undergraduate research conference — “Darwin 200: Bridging Disciplines/Breaking Boundaries.” The Reluctant Mr. Darwin, sent to freshmen to read this summer, is the basis for a variety of efforts to increase students’ understanding of Darwin’s important role in shaping modern thought, Diggs said.
The undergraduate research conference, the sixth hosted by Austin College, will focus broadly on Darwin’s impact on academic disciplines and popular culture and will cover a diverse range of evolution-related topics spanning the humanities, social sciences, and sciences. David Buss, professor of psychology at the University of Texas, will provide the keynote address for the conference April 24, 2009.
Event details are available online: www.austincollege.edu/darwin. Faculty organizers for the Darwin celebration include George Diggs, professor of biology; Steven Goldsmith, professor of biology; Max Grober, associate professor of history; Jerry Lincecum, professor emeritus of English; Peggy Redshaw, professor of biology, who is coordinating the lecture series; and Carol Daeley, professor of English, who is coordinating the undergraduate research conference in April 2009.
Austin College is a leading national independent liberal arts college located just north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas. Founded in 1849, making it the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original charter and name, the college is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA). Recognized nationally for academic excellence in the areas of international education, pre-professional training, and leadership studies, Austin College is one of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges that Change Lives.
