Schedule of events for the
2009 Clifford Symposium:
Celebrating Darwin's Legacy
September 23-26, 2009
* This schedule was last updated September 2, 2009.
Wednesday, September 23
7:30 p.m.
A staged reading of “After Darwin,” by Timberlake Wertenbaker. Directed by Cheryl Faraone (Theatre), with Alex Draper (Theatre), Michaela Lieberman ’10.5, Willie McKay ’11, and Mat Nakitare ’10.5.
McCullough Social Space “After Darwin” begins with Charles Darwin and the captain of The Beagle, Robert FitzRoy—briefly seen first in 1865, then in 1831 as FitzRoy decides to let Darwin join him on his expedition, the trip that would provide Darwin with the basis for his book on The Origin of Species. In fact, however, the scenes between the two men are scenes from a play, and eventually the actors, Tom (Darwin) and Ian (FitzRoy) step out of their roles—joined by Millie, the director, and later by the playwright, Lawrence. The play being rehearsed centers on the clash between god-fearing FitzRoy and Darwin, as Darwin’s findings threaten to completely undermine all that FitzRoy believes. It is a game of survival of the fittest, complicated by questions of ethics.
Thursday, September 24
12:30 p.m.
Opening lecture and performance: “View from the Galapagos” and an excerpt from On Close Observation. Helen Young (Biology) and Andrea Olsen (Dance). Part of the Environmental Studies colloquium.
McCullough Social Space (12:15 p.m. light lunch)
A visit to the Galapagos Islands last summer inspired Helen and Andrea to join forces in this presentation. Helen will describe the role of the Galapagos in Darwin's ideas about variation within species and what this means for "species modification" and descent. Andrea will perform an excerpt of "On Close Observation," a dance with text drawn from Darwin's autobiography.
4:30 p.m.
How Darwin’s ideas have influenced the biological sciences: a panel discussion with Jeremy Ward (Biology), Steve Trombulak (Biology), Sara Helms Cahan (UVM), Charles Goodnight (UVM).
McCullough Social Space
7:30 p.m.
Keynote address: Major themes in evolutionary medicine, by Stephen C. Stearns, Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (Yale). Reception to follow.
McCullough Social Space
Friday, September 25
12:30 p.m.
Keynote address: Darwin’s “wretched-looking little weeds”: Insights on evolution from the flora of the Galapagos, by Mark Schlessman, Biology (Vassar).
McCullough Social Space (12:15 p.m. light lunch)
4:30 p.m.
A panel discussion: How Darwin’s ideas have influenced the humanities, with Miguel Fernandez (Spanish), Antonia Losano (English and American Literatures), James Calvin Davis (Religion), and John Spackman (Philosophy).
McCullough Social Space
5:30-7:30 p.m.
All-College Picnic
7:30 p.m.
Keynote address: Darwin and the evolution of reasons, by Daniel Dennett, Philosophy (Tufts). Reception to follow.
McCullough Social Space; simulcast in Dana Auditorium
Saturday, September 26
9 a.m.-4 p.m.
EDUCATIONAL SYMPOSIUM:
DARWIN’S IDEAS IN THE CLASSSROOM: TEACHING AND LEARNING EVOLUTIONARY THEORY
All events held at McCardell Bicentennial Hall (MBH), unless otherwise noted.
9 a.m.
Welcome, coffee, pastries.
MBH Great Hall
9:30 a.m.
Keynote Address: The challenges of teaching and learning about biological evolution. Gale Sinatra, Educational Psychology (University of Nevada-Las Vegas).
MBH 216
10:30 a.m.
Break-out sessions.
Rooms TBA
11:15 a.m.
Panel discussion: Teaching about Darwin's ideas, with Barbara Hofer (Psychology), Samantha Kayhart (Mount Abraham Union High School, Bristol, Vt.), Helen Young (Biology), and Amy Clapp (Salisbury Community School).
MBH 216
12:30 p.m.
Lunch (advanced reservations are required);
Please e-mail your request to cliffsym@middlebury.edu.
MBH Great Hall
1:30-3:30 p.m.
Hands-on demonstrations of labs for teaching evolution
MBH 303, 309, 311
4:30 p.m.
Performance: “On Close Observation” (the complete work), by Andrea Olsen (Dance).
Dance Theatre, CFA 11, Mahaney Center for the Arts
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Sponsored by the Nicholas R. Clifford Symposium Fund, the Biology Department, the Program in Environmental Studies, Theatre and Dance Department, and the Commons Offices of Cook and Ross.