A week long event sponsored by Jacksonville University’s Department of Biology & Marine Science and the College of Arts & Sciences focusing on the work of Charles Darwin and the importance of evolution and reason in modern society.
Monday Feb. 9th:
12:00 – 1:00 Reid Auditorium: Dr. Bill Robertson – Darwin the Person
Come hear about Darwin the scientist and Darwin the man.
Lunch not provided – Brown bag
Tuesday Feb. 10th:
7:30 PM Northstar Pizza (119 East Bay Street Jacksonville, Florida 32202): Philosophy Slam
Dr. Julie Ingersoll, Associate Professor of Religion at UNF “Does Evolution Discredit Religion?”
Wednesday Feb. 11th:
12:00 – 1:00 Riverhouse: “Darwin among the Poets” Literary Readings of Evolution – sponsored by the English & Humanities Dept. (Joana Owens & Sarah Parker moderators)
Lunch not provided – Brown bag
Thursday Feb. 12th Darwin’s Birthday!!!!!!
12:30 – 1:30 Reid Auditorium SELS Speaker – Rebecca Kimball UF, “Avian Evolution in the Era of Big Data” http://people.biology.ufl.edu/rkimball/Home.html
Talk Abstract: Birds are among the most well-studied organisms. However, understanding the evolution of different clades of birds has been problematic. While some authors have suggested that phylogenetic relationships among orders might not be resolved, recent large-scale and whole genome studies have shown an ability to resolve these relationships. With the backbone of the avian tree of life elucidated, an effort to build the entire avian tree of life using molecular sequence data is underway. Such studies are showing that previously accepted relationships within genera and families are often incorrect, but new data is allowing these problems to be resolved. This will allow us to begin rigorously exploring the factors leading to the diversity of birds we see today.
Pizza Lunch provided
Cake for Darwin’s Birthday
5:00 -7:00 Riverhouse Paper discussion: “Nothing in Biology Makes Sense Except in the Light of Evolution”
Students, Faculty and staff are invited to read this classic paper and come to a discussion session.
**All those that participate will be entered in a Raffle for a Darwin Prize!!!!!!**
The article and questions for journal discussion will be emailed to students.
Friday Feb.13th
12:00 – 1:00 Reid Auditorium: Evolution Music & Talent Show
Kim Beasley and students will perform Darwin/Evolution inspired music, followed by an evolution talent show open to all JU students/faculty/staff. Judged by the audience and prizes!!! (Darwin bobblehead 1st prize, Darwin fish 2nd prize). Students who want to enter the talent show should contact Dr. Vanderhoff.
Lunch not provided – Brown Bag
For more information on any of the events please contact Dr. Vanderhoff nvander4@ju.edu