study abroad

College of Sciences Newsletter Edition 7 November 1, 2001

College of Sciences Summer Study Abroad Opportunity
The Evolution of Darwin: A Journey in the History of Science

Science. To the layperson, the word conjures images of middle-aged men in lab coats scribbling arcane formulae on chalkboards while beakers gently bubble and electrodes spark in the background. To the beginning science student, it often means long lists of ten-syllable words, arcane facts, and complex hypotheses and theories to memorize. We science instructors know that science is both an exponentially growing body of knowledge and a process for adding to that body of knowledge. We are increasingly aware of the importance of emphasizing the process, even if it means cutting back on the facts. Even when we teach the process, however, we often neglect the fact that science is a complex social undertaking with a history that goes much deeper than timelines of investigators and experiments. We can greatly enhance our understanding of (and appreciation for) science by taking the time to explore that history.

This summer I will offer such an experience to Biology and History students through a short study abroad course entitled “The Evolution of Darwin: A Journey in the History of Science.” Designed to help students understand the history and development of evolutionary biology, the course will focus on the life and times of Charles Darwin. We will spend two weeks on site in England and Scotland, visiting the places Darwin lived and worked, taking special tours of museums and archives, and holding regular lectures and discussions. We will put human faces on Darwin himself and the people who influenced him, and will learn more about how the age in which he lived informed the development of his ideas. And we will do so while, literally, walking where he walked.

These experiences alone would help bring the science of evolutionary biology alive for students. But we will be doing even more! A “behind-the-scenes” tour of the Natural History Museum in London will bring us face to face with specimens Darwin collected throughout his life. Presentations by curators will help us understand the role of natural history collections in both the study of biology and the study of history. At the University Museum of Zoology in Cambridge we’ll hear a discussion about the potential conflicts between preserving specimens for biological research and preserving them for historical research. Equally exciting presentations are being planned for the other sites we’ll be visiting. What better way for students to learn not only what we know about the history of evolutionary thought, but how that history has been reconstructed?

Science is a process undertaken by real people with real strengths and weaknesses. Understanding its history can help us understand both its potential and its limitations. In an age increasingly dependent on science and technology, I can imagine few more worthwhile endeavors. This summer we’ll make a good start!

For more information on this class, contact Dr. Kilburn in the Department of Biological Sciences at 757-683-5680 or go to her website at http://www.lions.odu.edu/~kkilburn/evolv_darwin.htm, where you will find a proposed itinerary and links to the websites of all the places they plan to visit, plus links to many other Darwin sites.