HONORS
SEMINAR
Charles Darwin: his life and writings
Spring, 2008
Instructor: Arthur V. Chadwick
Schedule: Tuesday, 5:00 P.M. Scales Hall, Rm 201
Required Text: Charles Darwin: On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life. 1859.
Introduction and Objectives: This class is a broadly scientific literature class, considering the writings of Charles Darwin from the middle and late 19th century. During these years Charles Darwin wrote a series of volumes covering his experiences from a five-year circumnavigation of the globe aboard the HMS Beagle, and his subsequent researches. Why Darwin? Consider the following excerpt from a dialog between Professor Kerkut and a graduate student at University of Southampton, during oral examinations. In this dialog, the student was requested to defend his professed belief in Darwinism:
Professor Kerkut: "Do you think Evolutionary Theory is the best explanation yet advanced to explain animal interrelationships?"
Student: "Why of course, sir, there is nothing else except for the religious explanation held by some fundamentalist Christians, and I gather, sir that these views are no longer held by the more up-to-date Churchmen!"
Prof: "So, you believe in evolution because there is no other theory?"
Student: "Oh, no, sir, I believe in it because of the evidence I just mentioned [natural selection]"
P: "Have you read any book on the evidence for Evolution?"
S: "Yes, sir. (mentions a popular school textbook), and of course, sir there is that book by Darwin, The Origin of Species"
P: "Have you read the book?"
S: "Well. not all through, sir"
P: "About how much?"
S: "The first part, sir"
P: "The first fifty pages?"
S: "Yes, sir, about that much; maybe a bit less"
P: "I see, and has that given you your firm understanding of Evolution?"
S: "Yes, sir"
P: "Well, now, if you really understand an argument you will be able to indicate to me not only the points in favor of the argument, but also the most telling points against it"
S: "Yes, sir"
P: "Good. Please tell me, then, some of the evidences against the theory of Evolution."
S: "Against what, sir?"
P: "The theory of evolution."
S: "But there aren't any, sir"[G. A. Kerkut Implications of Evolution, Pergamon Press, London, 1960,]
So why Darwin? The book Origin of Species has influenced every venue of our lives. It has served as the inspiration for political ideologies, psychological theories, religious thinking, scientific modeling, and moral philosophies. Part of being a literate and informed individual must include an acquaintance with this work. The objective of this course is not to critique Darwin's theory, although we will certainly encounter and examine its premises as we read his opus magnum. It is rather, to come to know and appreciate this remarkable human being, whose work has arguably influenced western thought more profoundly than any other person of his time.
During the course of the semester, we will read his Origin together, and will discuss his ideas. This will bring us to an elite position of having read a book that underlies the theory of evolution, something that most scientists and science students have not done. You will be required to have a personal copy of this book. In addition, each student will read and report orally on a second volume of his writings. You may check this volume out of the library or you may access it on the Web. The class will end with a final exam, covering the entire scope of the semester's work. The student should come prepared to discuss and to learn, and expect to leave this seminar with a new perspective and fuller grasp of this man. Weekly quizzes will encourage you to read the required section prior to class.
Class Schedule:
Jan 8 ‑ Who was this man? Introduction to the seminar and planning session.
Jan 15 ‑ Preface, Historical Sketch and Introduction - (some versions may lack or differ in these)
Jan 22 - Variation under Domestication and Nature (Chaps 1, 2)
Jan 29 - Struggle for Existence and Natural Selection (Chaps 3, 4)
Feb 5 - Laws of Variation and Difficulties of the Theory (Chaps 5, 6)
Feb 12 - Misc. Objections and Instinct and Hybridism (Chaps 7, 8, 9)
Feb 19 - Imperfections of the Geological Record and Geological Succession (Chaps 10, 11)
Feb 26 - Geographical Distributions (Chaps 12, 13)
Mar 4 - Mutual Affinities and Recapitulation and Conclusion (Chaps 14, 15)
Mar 11 – Spring Break
Mar 18 - Student Presentations - The Voyage of the Beagle, Coral Reefs, Volcanic Islands
Mar 25 - Student Presentations - Letters Vol. I, Vol II (etc.)
Apr 1 - Student Presentations – Autobiography and other volumes
Apr 8 - Student Presentations - Movements of Plants, Formation of Vegetable Mould
Apr 15 - Student Presentations - Variation of Animals…, Expression of Emotions…
Apr 22 - Student Presentations - Descent of Man and other volumes
Final as Scheduled
Expectations:
Attendance and active classroom participation will be expected. Although the grading of participation can be quite subjective, there are clear objective criteria for distinguishing between absent, present, but silent, present and participating for credit, and present and participating because, having thought through the issues, the student has creative insights to share.
Grading:
Quizzes: 25% Eight quizzes will be given during weeks 2-9, 6 points each.
Participation: 25% Participation rated for each class 16 weeks, 3 points each class
Class Presentation: 25% Graded on preparation, presentation, time and questions (12 pts each)
Final: 25% Comprehensive over Origin and student reports; essay and objective
90 - 100 A
80 - 89 B
70 - 79 C
60 - 69 D
below 60 F
Bibliography: Listed below are the works of Charles Darwin. Some items are linked to either a HTML source (link to title) or to a source for the text file (link to date). In other cases where only text was available, link may be to title.
Journal of researches.[ 1839]
The structure and distribution of coral reefs.[ 1842] [Illustrated HTML]
Geological Observations on Volcanic Islands [ 1844] [Illustrated HTML]
Coral Reefs: volcanic Islands; South American Geology
The Voyage of the Beagle [ 1845] [Audio]
Geological observations on South America.[ 1846] [Illustrated HTML]
Letters of Charles Darwin, Volume I. [ 1843-1867]
Letters of Charles Darwin, Volume II. [ 1867-1882]
On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection,
or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life.[ 1859]
Movements and Habits of Climbing Plants [ 1865]
Variation of Animals and Plants Under Domestication [ 1868]
Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex [ 1871]
Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals [ 1872]
The Autobiography of Charles Darwin [1876]
The Formation of Vegetable Mould Through the Action of Worms With Observations on Their Habits [ 1881]