Student Presentations - LIT 292 2008

After returning home from our adventure in London and spending some time thinking about our experiences, the students shared their final presentations and turned in their papers. 

One central goal of our course was to examine and analyze a Charles Dickens novel, Great Expectations, using Darwinian principles of natural selection.  The students were asked to incorporate their London experiences and their knowledge of literature and culture into their analyses.  The final presentations were an interesting mix of science, literature and philosophy that generated lively discussions.

Brandon, Megan and Sara worked with the topic of “mate selection”.

Brandon discussed culture vs. biology in the relationships between Joe and Mrs. Joe and Compeyson and Miss Havisham.  Brandon drew from Great Expectations, Macbeth and The Godfather to show that even when we are bound by societal conventions, we cannot escape our biological inclinations.

Megan led a lively discussion about Pip’s relationships with Estella and Biddy.  She discussed her interesting observation that due to the fact that Mrs. Joe was abusive to Pip and was his only real female role model and “mother”, perhaps he was attracted to Estella because of her abusive nature.

Sara approached the topic of mate selection by comparing relationships in Great Expectations with relationships in other works of fiction.  She made interesting associations between Pip and Estella and Peter Parker and M.J. in Spiderman and Estella and Drummle and Stella and Stanley in A Streetcar Named Desire.

Jo and Ruth analyzed the Darwinian principle of “male-male competition” in Great Expectations by looking at biological and cultural aspects of male interation and motivations.  They looked at Pip’s relationships in the novel and discussed why some of his behavior might be explained by his biological drive to compete with other males.

 

Colin worked with the topic of “kin selection”.  He shared his reflections on the biological aspects of human behavior in the relationships between Mrs. Joe and Pip, Wemmick and the Aged P, and Miss Havisham and Estella.

Margo and Caroline worked on the topic of “altruism”.  They debated selfish vs. altruistic motivations in Pip’s dealings with Magwitch, Estella and Miss Havisham. 

 Erica and Lisa looked at “sexual jealousy” in Great Expectations.

Erica looked at sexual jealousy as a competition for biological resources. She made some fascinating parallels between the behavior of two species of birds (hummingbirds and lily trotters) and the behavior of Pip in his dealings with Herbert, Drummle and Orlick.

 

 

Lisa discussed the evolutionary biological benefit of Pip’s obsession with Estella and incorporated the neurobiology that drives sexual jealousy in human males and females.

Thanks to all of the students for their interesting observations.  They certainly brought up some intriguing concepts and ideas that we had never considered before. 

 

Days 6 and 7 in London

Yesterday was a free day for the LIT 292 crew and we all went out to explore the city.  Destinations included The British Museum, Cambridge, Soho, Covent Garden, The Tower of London and Picadilly Circus.  Since the photographer went to the Tower, that is what you will get to see. 

Students, if you have pictures to share, Maegan P. has set up a site for us.  Go to www.photobucket.com to upload your photos. 

Username:darwindickens

Password: london

Thanks, Maegan!

The Tower of London is often identified with the White Tower, the original stark square fortress built by William the Conqueror in 1078. However, the tower as a whole is a complex of several buildings set within two concentric rings of defensive walls and a moat.

Ooooh.  Traitor’s Gate. 

The name Traitors’ Gate has been used since the early seventeenth century. Prisoners were brought by barge along the Thames, passing under London Bridge, where the heads of recently executed prisoners were displayed on pikes. Anne Boleyn, Sir Thomas More, Queen Catherine Howard, and Anne Boleyn’s daughter, Elizabeth I, all entered the Tower by Traitors’ Gate.

And what’s good is a trip to London without a picture like this?

At least six ravens have been in residence at the Tower for centuries.  Legend has it that if the ravens ever leave the Tower, the entire kingdom will fall. 

Tower Bridge.

On Sunday we woke up to a typical rainy London day.  The students were asked to visit either The British Library, The British Museum or The Museum of London and find at least one exhibit about which they could apply and discuss a Darwinian theme.

After that, we met to spend our last evening in London together.  Where better than a typical London pub?

The students discussed some of their favorite experiences from the trip.

 

Tomorrow we will meet briefly in the morning and then pack up for our trip home. There will be walking, the tube, much more walking, Heathrow, the plane, Newark, a van ride to BCC and finally…home again! 

Drs. Saraceno, Musa and Firenze celebrate the end of our time London.  Although last year at this time we parted “ever the best of friends”, this year was perhaps a tad more trying.  In fact, it seems as if Dr. Saraceno may be losing patience with our beloved, if not slightly burdensome, “Tiny Tim”. 

Luckily for Dr. Firenze, his new colleague showed up just in the nick of time.

Cheers from London! 

 

 

Day 5 in London

We began another day at Russell Square for our Darwin and Dickens Forum.  The weather was pretty cloudy but the temperature was just right.

We spent quite a bit of time discussing Darwinian aspects of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”.  We talked about how many of Shakespeare’s observations about human nature are still so relevant today. 

During a break, Dr. Firenze entertained the students by demonstrating how well he can balance on his crutches.  We then spent a couple of hours discussing the student’s theses which have been refined and fine-tuned during our time in London. 

Tomorrow is a free day for everyone and some students plan to do some extra traveling.  Dr. Firenze spent time with Lisa helping her with directions to Cambridge.  We have been incredibly busy while in London and everyone is looking forward to having a day to do whatever they like.

After breaking for a couple hours, we all (except Dr. Firenze, see below) went to Westminster Abbey for Evensong.  Daily prayers have been sung at the Abbey for over one thousand years.  We enjoyed hearing The Westminster Choir at Evensong.

Below are some picutres of the exterior of Westminster Abby.  We could not take any pictures inside the church.  Charles Darwin and Charles Dickens are buried at the Abbey.

Brandon, Colin and Lisa wait for Evensong. 

After the conclusion of the service we all headed our separate ways.  Below are some pictures from the walk back to the flat.  Pictures include Parliament, some views from the Millenium bridge and some exterior pictures of St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Dr. Firenze did not join us for Evensong, preferring instead to discuss Darwinian theory with a couple of new colleagues that he met in the park.

Day 4 in London: Part 2 - The Late Edition

Wow.  A Midsummer Night’s Dream was amazing.  The packed house - young and old, experts and neophytes, sitters and groundlings - found the performance uproariously funny, genuinely moving, enormously entertaining.   This performance was something that none of us will soon forget.

The Globe audience makes their way out of the theater after the show.

Our students enjoy a few minutes of sitting after nearly three hours as “groundlings”  standing in the yard for the show.  After a few minutes (or maybe it was more like a few seconds) we all headed for Dickens’ House.

The students pose in front of Dickens’ House.

Erica, Margo and Caroline enjoy the garden at Dickens’ House.

Our guide Andrew tells us about Charles Dickens’ life at Doughty Street.  He shared interesting details about the portraits that hang in the museum.

Andrew passed around a writing box and several pens belonging to Charles Dickens. These items, not usually on display for the general public, could be seen in various paintings around the museum.

Lisa inspects one of the pens used by Charles Dickens.

Andrew tells us about the untimely death of Charles Dickens’ sister-in-law, Mary Hogarth.  This event had a profound influence on the writer’s life and work.

After our private tour of Charles Dickens’ home, we all headed our separate ways.  Dr. Saraceno, who wanted to arrive home first so as to have the left-overs from last night’s steak and ale pie all to himself, decided to take a short cut through the old cemetary down by the marshes.  Unfortunately, he was surprised by a gruff and hungry convict newly escaped from a prison ship.

Only time will tell what influence this interaction might have on Dr. Saraceno or the convict.  All we can say for sure is that off in the distance, Dr. Firenze seemed to be smiling.

 

Day 4 in London: Part 1 - The Early Edition

We met bright and early this morning for our very special BCC graduation in London.  On our way to Shakespeare’s Globe Theater, we stopped by St. Paul’s Cathedral for a few quick pictures on the front steps.

We crossed the Thames on The Millenium Bridge on our way to The Globe.

Our graduation celebration:

The students rested on the steps in front of the Groundling Gates at Shakespeare’s Globe, the site of our graduation ceremony.  Queen Elizabeth II entered through this gate when she officially opened the rebuilt theater in 1997.

The Ceremony:

 

Below you will find some images from our graduation celebration.

Drs. Firenze, Saraceno and Musa.

Our BCC graduates: Caroline, Sara, Colin, Lisa, Erica and Maegan.  We are so proud of you!!

Two BCC DH students congratulate the graduates back home.

Enough with the pomp and circumstance…time to get out of those robes and tour the Globe! 

Our guide, Val, provided us with a vivid picture of what it was like to attend the theater during Shakespeare’s time and what to expect when we attend this afternoon’s production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”.

Inside the Globe we were allowed to take pictures while Val told us about the theater and how it was carefully designed to recreate an experience close to what theater-goers would have enjoyed during Shakespeare’s time. 

Natural light enters through the open roof.  This was the light source for plays during Elizabethan times.  It is quite a different experience to see a show where everyone, actors and audience, can be clearly seen.

If the flag is flying - there will be a play today!

The students pose with our guide, Val, after the tour.

Stay tuned for Part 2 - “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and a tour of Dickens’ House.

Day 3 in London

Our day began with another Darwin and Dickens forum in Russell Square.   The weather was just perfect and we all enjoyed the sunshine.

Erica and Maegan hope to not be bumped with one of Dr. Firenze’s crutches.

Erica, Brandon, Sara and Maegan in Russell Square.

Another beautiful morning in Russell Square.

Maegan and Lisa in Russell Square.

Dr. Firenze led a discussion distinguishing Darwin the man from the concept of Darwinism.  We defined natural selection as the process during which organisms best suited for the environment, thrive, reproduce and pass on their genetic traits.  We also talked about how evolution is the unifying theory that explains the diversity of life on the planet.

After our forum it was time to head to the tube for the first leg of our journey to Down House, Charles Darwin’s home in the village of Downe.

The students enjoyed their first view of Victoria Station where we caught the train to South Bromley on the way to Downe.

Victoria Station.

Another view of Victoria Station.

Once we arrived in South Bromley, we were able to immediately catch the bus to Downe because of excellent planning on the part of Drs. Firenze, Musa and Saraceno.

The bus to Downe!

Upon arriving in Downe we began the quarter mile walk to Down House.  The road was very narrow and we were all a little worried about the amount of space taken up by Dr. Firenze and his crutches.

A view of Down House.

Arriving at Down House.

Megan, Sara and Erica enjoy the sunshine outside of Down House.

 

The gardens at Down House.

 

Dr. Firenze spent some time talking to us about Charles Darwin’s life at Down House.

Jo and Erica take some notes.

Dr. Firenze read from Darwin’s autobiography and closed with a quote from the London Times, April 22, 1882.

 

Below are some photos from the gardens and greenhouses at Down House.

Erica, Megan and Caroline.

Dr. Saraceno tries to find a quiet moment so that he can apologize for the men on horses that chased and caught Dr. Firenze the night before.

The students check our Charles Darwin’s greenhouse.

Some carniverous plants in the greenhouse.

Caroline on the Sand Walk.

Caroline, Margo and Dr. Firenze on Darwin’s Sand Walk.

After touring the grounds, the students explored Charles Darwin’s home.  Unfortunately, photographs were not allowed.

We headed back to Downe to cath the bus back to South Bromley.  We spent some time looking at St. Mary the Virgin Church, built in 1290.  Charles Darwin’s wife and brother are buried here.

After the bus, the train and the tube (at rush hour), we met Dr. David Tucker in Trafalgar Square for our second London walk.

The students pose in Trafalgar Square.

A statue of George Washington with a pigeon on his head.

The fountain in Trafalgar Square.

David led us thorugh London and told us about what the streets (like The Strand, above) would have looked like during Victorian times.  We all thought about what it must have been like for Charles Dickens when he lived and worked in this area as a boy.

We crossed over the Thames on the Golden Jubilee (Hungerford) bridge and had a great glimpse of Big Ben!

A view of the North shore.

 

Parliament and Big Ben.

Dr. Tucker took us to see some original Victorian homes built in 1825.

Without the cars and T.V. antennas these homes look very much like the London of Charles Dickens’ time.

We finished with a view of all the chimneys which in Victorian times poured black clouds of coal smoke into the London sky.

It was a great day filled with new insights into the life and times of Charles Darwin and Charles Dickens. One unexpected discovery for us all came during the tour through Darwin’s home.  We all know that Dr. Firenze has immeasurable respect for Charles Darwin, but none of us realized how close they actually were.

As you can see in this rare photograph, Dr. Firenze’s association with Charles Darwin extends farther back than any of us ever imagined.

Up tomorrow: A tour of Shakespeare’s Globe Theater, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a private tour of Charles Dickens’ home and a very special BCC graduation - London style.

 

 

Day 2 in London

This morning, with everyone looking a bit perkier after a good night of sleep, we met in Russell Square for our first Darwin and Dickens Forum. You can click on the pictures for a better view.

After getting a coffee and pastry, we began by discussing our tour of the Enlightenment wing at The British Museum.  Dr. Saraceno explained that the period known as the Enlightenment, which lasted from about 1700 until 1850, involved a cultural change that predicted both the optimism that comes with the acquisition of new knowledge and uncertainty that comes with rejection of the old.   

We discussed how this neurotic uncertainty was reflected in the writings of Charles Dickens and Charles Darwin.

Lisa and Megan take some notes during our class discussion.

After our forum, we all headed over to The British Museum of Natural History for the afternoon.

The British Museum of Natural History is a superlative example of Victorian architecture built in the Gothic tradition.  The museum looks a bit like a cathedral and was intended to celebrate the glory of God’s creation.  

The students took the time to pose for a picture on the steps to the museum.

Upon entering the museum we saw the giant diplodocus that graces the main hall.

Part of our time at the museum involved a private behind the scenes tour of the Botany Department.  We were able to look at the museum’s vast collection of botanical specimens, some dating back to the 1600s.  We were also able to see some of the museum’s botanists at work in their laboratory. Our delightful guide, Jo, managed to unearth some specimens collected by Charles Darwin in 1833 and 1853.  This was a rare and exciting opportunity for our class.  Unfortunately, due to the fragile nature of the specimens photographs were not permitted.

A Note for Mrs. Gabriel Class at GFJ:

Thanks so much for the comment!  I am having a wonderful time in London. I took this picture at The British Museum of Natural History because I thought you might like it.  It is a giant prehistoric sloth!

To answer your questions: First of all, you are super judges of architecture!  The British Museum and the Lincoln Memorial are both excellent examples of the Greco-Roman style. Don’t feel bad for Dr. Firenze, everyone is being so nice to him and carrying his things.  The silly picture was from a book by Charles Dickens called “A Christmas Carol”.  We haven’t seen any bridges yet but as soon as we do I will take some pictures to show you.  I wasn’t scared while I was flying across the Atlantic Ocean because I was watching a movie or sleeping. I was on the plane for about seven hours but it seemed shorter because I was sleeping for part of it.  Also, they gave us good cookies on the plane. I will miss you at centers this week too.  I will be happy to come back the next week! Love, Mrs. Musa P.S. I miss you Ally (and Olivia).

After our time at the Museum of Natural History, we hopped back on the tube and headed to St. Paul’s Cathedral to meet Dr. David Tucker, our guide for a walking tour of “Dickens’ London”.

The walk revealed countless sites associated with Dickens’ life and works as well as the illustrious history of the city itself.

The building above is called Guildhall and was built in 1411.

Dr. Tucker took us to “Little Britain” street (above), prominently featured in “Great Expectations”. We enjoyed hearing the history of this part of the city and how Dickens used this part of the city - populated by prisons and slaughterhouses - the express the dark side of Victorian culture.

The church picured above, St. Bartholomew’s was built in the 13th century and was featured in the movies “Four Weddings and a Funeral” and “Shakespeare in Love”.

Dr. Tucker described much of DIckens’ early life for us and painted a vivid picture of what it must have been like for a boy living and working in Victorian London struggling to survive. 

Towards the end of our walk, Dr. Tucker took us to see an old prison cell used up until the mid nineteenth century.  The cell is now in the basement of a pub built on the site of the old prison.

Although Margo and Caroline are smiling for the picture, it was a very unpleasant space to be in. The small, dark cell was used to hold about twenty four people at a time!  We were all happy to get out, especially after our guide turned out the lights to show us what it would have really been like in the cell.

Dr. Tucker also discussed the DIckens novel “Oliver Twist” and showed us some “urchin bars”.

Dr. Saraceno was so inspired by Dr. Tucker’s description (and by the novel) that he decided to provide the students with a real “Victorian urchin” experience.  Before Dr. Musa could stop him, he dashed off and swiped a few pence from a gentleman standing nearby.  Luckily, he was able to swiftly and deftly navigate through the narrow streets of London, thereby eluding the angry mob of men pursuing him.  This was quite s feat since some of the men had horses.  

Unfortunately, he failed to remember that his colleague could only pitifully crutch along at a snail’s pace over the bumpy streets. Assuming we are able to spring Dr. Firenze from the jail cell, tomorrow we will be enjoying a trip to Down House and another London walk with Dr. Tucker.

Cheers!

We Made It: Day 1 in London

It has been a long, long day but we all made it safely to London and have begun our adventure.

We left BCC by van on Sunday afternoon. We ran into some traffic on the way to Newark but it didn’t really matter since our flight was delayed by about an hour anyway. The students took advantage of the extra time in the airport to get to know each other a bit better and to catch up on some Dickens.

Hmmm. Is that a “Great Expectations Cliff Notes” you are reading Erica?

Our flight was pretty uneventful but everyone was looking VERY tired as we picked up our bags on Monday morning.  It is 10 am in London but it sure feels earlier than that.

Maegan actually tried to get some sleep while standing at the baggage claim.  And yes Colin, we are going to The British Museum today.

The students were excited to finally board the tube and head for our apartments in Bloomsbury.

We enjoyed some time in Bloomsbury Square, London’s very first planned park, while we waited for Drs. Saraceno and Firenze to collect our keys. Bloomsbury Square (seen below) is just outside the student apartments.

Those who followed the blog during our May 2007 trip to London might remember that there were some issues with the amount of time it took for the keys to be sorted and handed out. This year things went a bit better, but really only because it was not raining. It almost seemed like Dr. Saraceno was a bit uncomfortable that the process was being documented via video this year. Perhaps he was just uncomfortable from getting whacked numerous times by Dr. Firenze’s ever-present crutches.

Although Drs. Saraceno and Firenze struggled a bit with key sorting, they both did a great job of helping the students to locate their apartments.

The students finally received keys and moved into their apartments.

After settling in to our flats, we headed over to the British museum for a private tour of The Enlightenment Wing. The British Museum is quite stunning and we all enjoyed the view of the museum upon entering through the main gates.

Once inside the museum, we had a quick look around.

Our host again this year was the pleasant and knowledgable, Mr. Robert Gwynne. Mr. Gwynne talked about the Enlightenment Period and gave us several examples of the shift from traditional knowledge to rational thought based on observation and science.

During a discussion of ancient sculpture, Caroline pointed out that this particular piece proves that fashion trends do keep coming around.

Who knew they had such a cute wedge in ancient Greece?

After finishing our tour of The Enlightenment Wing, everyone seemed to prefer a nap to more of The British Museum right now. Lucky for us, it is right down the street and admission is free!

After (or maybe during) some final discussion about our plans for tomorrow, which include a Darwin and Dickens Forum in Russell Square Park, The British Museum of Natural History and a very special London Walk called Charles Dickens’ London with our favorite London Walker, Dr. David Tucker, everyone was really ready for some food and some rest.

So, we walked, or in Dr. Firenze’s case, hobbled along, back towards our flats. Luckily for Dr. Firenze, his faithful colleague provided some much needed assistance during the last few blocks of the journey.

As we all went our separate ways, I could not help but over hear Dr. Saraceno quietly paraphrasing his Victorian hero, “God help us, every one.”

Countdown to London

With only a few days left until our departure, Drs. Firenze, Musa and Saraceno are very busy making all of the final preparations for our trip to London.

Maybe they are just a little stressed and tired from all of the hard work, but it almost seems like Dr. Firenze and Dr. Saraceno are beginning to resemble our favorite Victorian scholars.

It’s Dickens! It’s Darwin! It’s London! It’s the Spring 2008 LIT 292 Class!

The Spring 2008 LIT 292, Darwin and Dickens: Science and Literature in VIctorian England class has been working very hard all semester and is ready to head across the pond for a Victorian adventure.  With only two weeks remaining until we leave for London, the students are formulating their theses, finishing their reading and thinking about what (and what not) to pack.

Course instructors Drs. Firenze, Musa and Saraceno are delighted and impressed with our current group of students and we are very excited to explore London (past and present) together.  We also look forward to the first ever BCC Graduation in London.  We have six students in our group that will be graduating from BCC this spring and we plan to hold a very special graduation ceremony to make up for the fact that they will miss the ceremony in Binghamton.

Here is a brief introduction to our Spring 2008 LIT 292 class (otherwise known as the “excellent eleven”):

Colin Brown.

Graduation in London?  Sign me up!!  Truthfully, the main reason I signed up for this course is because the idea of traveling to a city like London with professors such as the three that will accompany us – Dr. Firenze, Dr. Musa and Dr. Saraceno –sounds like an amazing, interesting and worthwhile opportunity.

 

Jimie Jo Baird.

I am a thirty-one year old dental hygiene student who loves to travel and experience life to the fullest.  Nature, music and art play a large role in my life and I am always in favor of broadening my horizons.

 

Margo Zodikoff.

I heard about this course during my biology class and immediately became interested.  I have never been to London before so I knew it would be a great learning opportunity.  In the class I learned so much more about the Victorian time period than I had in mind and it was wonderful.  After being consumed by the work of my dental hygiene courses, it was a nice change to be able to think about information instead of just being told “this is how it is”. I would really recommend this course to anyone willing to learn and open their eyes to a different culture and time period of a great literary writer such as Dickens!  If it wasn’t for this course, I never would have thought that biology could apply to works of literature.

 

Maegan Petkash.

I am from Greene, New York and I major in Music Education. I thought it would be interesting to combine learning and traveling.  The lectures are always interesting and being able to experience another culture is a bonus.

 

Erica Dropp.

I have just completed a Liberal Arts degree.  I have never been overseas before and I have always wanted to go to London.  I’m quite confident that Drs. Firenze, Saraceno and Musa will be just the right people to go on this adventure with.  Thanks for a stellar class experience.

 

Caroline Millen.

I went to Binghamton University for two years and am finishing my last semester at BCC with an Associates Degree in Liberal Arts.  This is my first time going to London as well as my first time flying in an airplane. I’m so excited and it will be a great experience.

 

Brandon Bilka.

I am a 2003 graduate of Vestal High School and currently a science major at BCC.  I am also a United States Marine Corp veteran.  I have always wanted to travel to England. I went to the Florida Everglades with the BCC biology department and enjoyed it.  I have only been outside the U.S. for combat deployment.

 

Ruth Caforio.

I am eighteen years old and a Liberal Arts student.  I hope to go on to law school at Harvard University and become a lawyer.  I am taking this course because it looked really interesting.  I lived in England for three years and want to go back.  I am the kind of person who loves to meet new people and have fun.

 

Sara Doty.

I am taking this course because it is a great opportunity to experience another culture and get credit for doing it.  I am also interested in Charles Darwin, his theory of evolution and I enjoy reading.  This is also a great opportunity to live with many people I’m not used to, giving me a good experience for when I go away to college.  I think I will gain from this experience in many aspects.

 

Lisa Daly.

After graduating Phi Theta Kappa from BCC I will be attending Decker School of Nursing at Binghamton University (Fall 2008). I have enjoyed my experience at BCC and look forward to me future academic endeavors.

 

Megan Ovadek.

I am a creative person and always trying to express my thoughts.  “It is better to be loved for who you are, than who you are not” is my favorite saying to go by.

 

We set out for London on Sunday, May 18th.  We look forward to sharing our adventures and experiences each day of the trip.