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.  

 

 

Darwin and Dickens: Spring 2008

Please join us on Thursday, October 4, 2007 at 11 a.m. in T-102 at Broome Community College for an overview of Darwin and Dickens: Science and Literature in Victorian England. Drs. Firenze, Saraceno and Musa will discuss highlights from our Spring 2007 trip and present a preview of our Spring 2008 course!

Our Final Class!

It is with a tear in my eye (or maybe that is sweat) that I write the final post for LIT 292, Darwin and Dickens: Science and Literature in Victorian England.   Yesterday we gathered at sunny, warm Tipperary Hill for some lunch and the presentation of final projects by the students.

We all enjoyed a delicious lunch before the presentations.  We were very pleased to have some distinguised guests with us, including Dean Julie Peacock, Professor Bruce Oldfield and Vice President Ann Marie Murray. 

Our other distinguished guest was fellow biology professor, Dr. Bill Hollister, who brought a couple of very impressive cameras.  Some may say that they are even more impressive than Dr. Saraceno’s new cell phone.  All of the photos on this blog posting that look really nice were taken by Dr. Hollister.  I know he is secretly hoping to replace me as the official LIT 292 photographer.  Thanks for the “help” Dr. Hollister.  I can only hope that he is not super talented at writing interesting and descriptive captions. 

Dr. Firenze started us off by talking a bit about the goal for the final projects.  Students used specific biological themes ( such as altruism, jealousy, parent/offspring conflict, mate selection and adultery) to analyze literary characters from “Great Expectations” and other works. 

 

Not everyone found this to be exciting and interesting but most of the students managed to stay awake while Dr. Firenze was speaking.

Our first presentation came from Mary #2, Sarah and Carrie who discussed altruism and compared examples from “Great Expectations” with some characters from their favorite movies.  This lively presentation also included film clips, rap music (translated for Dr. Firenze by Dr. Musa) and fancy dresses.   Yes, there is a reason they were dressed this way.

After the first presentation, Dr. Saraceno found a spot where he felt much more comfortable and settled in for the rest of the afternoon.

Mike and Erica were up next and brought some neurobiology (yay!!) to a discussion of parent/offspring conflict.  They used some cutting edge neuroscience to analyze and interpret the relationships between Pip and Magwitch and Miss Havisham and Estella.  Although we all agreed that Charles Dickens was probably not thinking about mirror neurons when he wrote “Great Expectations”, behaviors that are driven by these types of brain cells have been observed (and written about) since humans have been interacting with each other.

Next, Jenn, Savanna and Olga led a lively discussion about male and female mate selection in “Great Expectations”.  If you ever wondered what fiddler crabs have to do with Pip, Drummle, Biddy and Estella, this was the presentation to see. Basically, if you don’t have a decent burrow, you are not going to attract the ladies.

 We all had a fun time talking about this subject and had a lot to say.  It seems like most of us are experts (or think we are) about what the opposite sex is looking for in a mate.  Some “experts” had quite a bit to say on this subject and generously shared their knowledge with the rest of us. 

Dr. Firenze provided a detailed description of the specific biological characteristics that make a potential mate attractive.

Dr. Saraceno contributed his own perspective on the issue of the ideal mate. However, we were not sure if we should listen to him as he is currently living in a borrowed burrow.

Mary, Pam and Jessica examined jealousy in “Great Expectations”, applying both literary and biological themes to several specific instances of jealousy from the novel.  They also led an interesting discussion about why jealousy is a good thing, at least biologically speaking.

We were all excited to finish out class with a DVD created by Sean and Corey.  They came prepared with a DVD player.  Unfortunately, after a lot of this…….

…they promised to mail us all copies of the DVD.  We look forward to seeing their dramatization of a meeting between Charles Dickens and Charles Darwin.

It’s all over but the grading!  Our experience was one to remember and I think we would all agree that we will never look at things in quite the same way again. 

Thanks to the students for their hard work and interesting discussions.  I think Charles Dickens and Charles Darwin would have been impressed with your creativity and enjoyed your presentations.  I hope you will continue to include a little biology and a little literature in your future adventures.  

 Cheerio!

Back in the U.S.A and Back to Work!

Today, the Darwin and Dickens class met for the first time since our return home.  It was nice to be together again and reminisce about our time in London.

To ease our longing for the Russell Square cafe, we started off our class meeting at Starbuck’s.  We are all accustomed to strong coffee and a good pastry to get the creative ideas flowing.  A few student’s remarked about how odd it felt to be meeting inside!

After our trip to Starbuck’s we returned to BCC – being very careful while crossing Front Street.  After all, we are used to “looking right”.

We settled in to discuss the final projects for a few hours.  Students are working in groups of two or three to examine Great Expectations from a Darwinian perspective.  Each final project will include a written component and an oral presentation.  Dr. Saraceno led a discussion about how to best develop, organize and present the new ideas inspired by the course readings and our many interactions and experiences in London. 

The students plan to present and discuss organizational outlines of their projects next week at our penultimate class meeting.  From our preliminary discussions, there appear to be many unique, incisive and creative analyses in the works.  As far as we know, we are the first scholars to explore and interpret Dickens work using the lens of evolutionary theory.  We look forward to sharing our ideas! 

Home Safe and Sound (and Tired)

After many hours of traveling we have all returned home safe.  Many thanks to Mark and Jeff for picking us up at the airport in New Jersey and driving us home late last night (or early in the morning for those of us on London time)!    

Below are some final images from our last hours in London. 

Somehow, despite a very busy schedule, the students found the time to do a good deed and have a positive impact on our neighborhood.  

After viewing some posters for a lost cat in the vicinity of Dickens House, the students found the cat (!) and returned it to the grateful owner.  Who says all Americans are rude and obnoxious?

Below are some pictures from Russell Square the morning of our departure.

Jenn, Olga and Pam

Erica, Mike and Mary (#2)

Jessica, Sean, Mary (#1) and Corey

Savannah, Carrie and Sarah

Dr. Firenze, Dr. Musa and Dr. Saraceno

Erica and a pigeon friend.  It took her all week but she finally caught one!  Not pictured: Pam and her antibacterial hand gel

Dr. Firenze expertly performing the final sorting the keys.  It wasn’t raining but we did have a plane to catch!

One final view of Bloomsbury Square from the student’s apartment.

Although we are home our class is not over.  Students are preparing their final projects and we will have another update after our next class meeting. 

Cheers!

Our Final Day in London

We began our day for the last time with pastries, coffee and a final Darwin and Dickens Forum in Russell Square.

The students took turns discussing ideas for their final projects.  Our experiences and discussions in London have certainly led to numerous unique and interesting insights about the many connections between the theories of Charles Darwin and the writings of Charles Dickens.

Dr. Saraceno and Dr. Firenze pay close attention to a discussion between the students (or maybe it was an attractive woman crossing Russell Square).

After our class meeting we all walked over to The British Library.

At the library, we had the opportunity to view many famous documents including the Magna Carta and original writings from notable writers including Charles Dickens, Charlotte Bronte, Jane Austen, Lewis Carroll and Shakespeare.

The Darwin and Dickens group poses with Newton outside The British Library.

Later in the day we all headed out to to meet our guide Kim, for a walk called “Darkest Victorian London”. 

Kim told us about the poorest areas of London during Victorian Times and what life was like for the urban poor.  Here, she points out some stairs made famous by Charles Dickens in his novel, Oliver Twist.

Kim took us to Borough Market which still sells fresh meats and produce.  We learned that in Victorian times this food was destined for the tables of London’s richest families while the poor who lived in the surrounding neighborhood made do with tea and bread.

The picture above shows a charity home like those that were popular in Victorian times.  People who benefited from charities during Victorian times had to adhere to some very strict (and often unrealistic) standards in order to receive help.

Above is a warehouse that maintains much of the same characteristics common during Victorian times.  Buildings like this are in demand for movies set during Victorian times.

Kim took us to the Cross Bones Graveyard, an unconsecrated graveyard where paupers were buried through 1853.  Local people have created a memorial to honor those who were buried here.

Kim finished our tour at the only remaining wall of Marshalsea Prison, a “debtor’s prison” where Charles Dickens’s father and family were imprisoned in 1824.  This period of Dickens’s life inspired the novel, Little Dorrit.

All that walking makes us very hungry!

After walking around London for a couple of hours, nothing hits the spot like a nice hot “Toad in the Hole” at an English pub.

Our final day in London came to a close with the group splitting up for various activities such as another trip to Shakespeare’s Globe to see The Merchant of Venice, some last minute shopping or one last trip to the pub.

Tomorrow we plan to meet for breakfast in the morning before leaving for Heathrow to begin the long journey home.  While we are all ready to return home and our class will continue once we return to the states, we are a bit sad to be ending the London phase of our adventure.  With us we take many wonderful memories of our time here together.

 

“What larks, what larks…..ever the best of friends!”

Charles Dickens, Great Expectations

Day 6 in London

Greetings from London! 

We would like to acknowledge two birthdays today before we tell you about our day’s adventures. 

Happy Birthday Leah Woods!  Your mom can’t wait to see you!!  AND

Happy Birthday to our own Mike!  As you can see, we celebrated both birthdays in Russell Square Park.

We began our day, once again, with a Darwin and Dickens Forum in Russell Square Park.  Drs. Firenze and Saraceno reminded us that both Charles Darwin and Charles Dickens lived only a few blocks from this park at about the same time.   It was exciting to imgine them strolling under the very trees under which we sat!  We discussed what they might have talked about if they happened to meet in the park. 

After our class meeting everyone enjoyed some free time in the city and then met for our private tour of The Dickens Museum at Charles Dickens’s former residence on nearby Doughty Street.

Dickens and his family lived in this home from 1837 until 1839. It was here that Dickens became a huge celebrity and wrote The Pickwick Papers, Oliver Twist and Nicholas Nickleby.  Our guide, Andrew, allowed us to view some materials from the museum’s archive, including a personal letter written by Charles Dickens, a check signed by Dickens and an original “monthly number” (installment) of Nicholas Nickleby.  We also learned about some of the significant events that occurred during this period of Dickens’s life, including the unexpected death of his beloved sister-in-law, Mary Hogarth.

We were given an extensive guided tour of the museum and then allowed to wander throughout the house and view many of Dickens’s personal items, paintings and photographs.  This experience – much like our visit to Darwin’s home – made the biographical information we have discussed much more real.

The Darwin and Dickens group posing outside 48 Doughty Street.

We listen attentively to Andrew’s narration of Dickens’s early life.

Pam and Jen explore the Dickens Library.

Everyone enjoys some time in Dickens’s garden.

After our visit to the museum, we headed for home.  Tomorrow we will meet for our class discussion in the morning and then we will visit The British Library, The Museum of London and experience a walk called “Darkest Victorian London”. 

Day 5 in London

Our fifth day in London dawned bright and sunny.  As a result, we once again met for our morning class and discussion in Russell Square at the cafe.  Everyone is getting better at navigating around the city and, for the first time, the students didn’t need the faculty to escort them to our meeting.  After taking some time to decide on a fancy pastry, we all settled down to business.  Dr. Saraceno expertly led our discussion which covered Darwinian themes in Othello and Great Expectations.  

We took a break and, after taking some time to choose another fancy pastry, we reconvened to continue our discussion into the early afternoon.  Drs. Firenze and Saraceno pointed out (perhaps coincidentally, perhaps not) that despite obvious differences in lifestyle and accomplishment, Darwin and Dickens were remarkably in tune with one another and shared a similar philosophy.  Consider the following quotes:

“It has been my greatest comfort to say hundreds of times to myself that I have worked as hard and as well as I could, and no man can do more than this.”

Charles Darwin

“My meaning simply is, that whatever I have tried to do in life, I have tried with all my heart to do well; that whatever I have devoted myself to, I have devoted myself to completely; that in great aims and small, I have always been thoroughly in earnest.”

Charles Dickens, David Copperfield

When our class session ended most of us headed to Westminster Abbey (burial place of Charles Darwin and Charles Dickens) to attend Evensong Choral Services.

Before entering the Abbey (while Dr. Firenze was getting an ice cream), Sean and Corey look for a way to get in early.  Luckily, no one was arrested as a result of this incident.

Evensong is a tradition of worship that has been offered daily at the Abbey for more than one thousand years.  We went early and had the priviledge of actually sitting in the choir boxes with The Choir of Westminster Abbey during the hour long choral service.  The choir was incredible and hearing this beautiful music in Westminster Abbey was an experience that we will not soon forget.

After the choral service, the Darwin and Dickens students posed for a group photo.  If you look closely, you can see the “Enough with the pictures already, Dr. Musa.” look in their eyes.

After this uplifting experience (the service, not the group photo), we split up for a night of fun and relaxation.  Some planned activities include a visit to the London Eye, Covent Garden, Picadilly Circus, the theater and, of course, maybe a pub or two.  

Up tomorrow, a private tour of Charles Dickens’s home 

Day 4 in London

Our fourth day in London began with a class meeting at the cafe in Russell Square near our apartments.

Students received their topics for the final class project and Dr. Firenze led a discussion about Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection.  We discussed why this theory is so powerful both scientifically and culturally. 

After our morning discussion, we traveled by rail to South Bromley on our way to Charles Darwin’s home, Down House.

Sarah, Pam, Carrie, Savannah, Jenn and Olga wait for the bus to Downe in downtown South Bromley.

Corey and Sean enjoy the sites in South Bromley.

Dr. Saraceno attempts to calm an excited Dr. Firenze when the bus to Downe finally arrives.  Keep in mind, this man has Darwin’s name on his license plate!

Down House!

We toured Down House and learned about Charles Darwin’s home life and family. However, we were only allowed to take photographs outside.

Pam and Jenn

Sean, Jessica and Mary (#1) take some time to smell the roses.

After walking the “Sand Walk” at Down House, Dr. Firenze reads from Charles Darwin’s autobiography.  The opportunity to tour the naturalist’s beloved home and gardens made a strong impression on all of us.

Darwin’s gardens and greenhouses.

The students take a moment to rest before heading back to London.

After returning to London, we headed to Shakespeare’s Globe Theater for an evening performance of Othello. 

The students wait in line for the play.  We were able to experience the play as “groundlings” just like the common folk did in Shakespeare’s day.

The “Darwin and Dickens” groundlings await the show.

Although we were not allowed to take pictures during the performance, this photo taken at intermission shows a view of the theater right up to the open thatched roof.

The play was wonderful and we all enjoyed the experience very much….although there were some sore legs and feet because groundlings can’t sit down!

Cheerio from London!  Up next, after a morning class we plan to attend the Evensong at Westminster Abbey.

Day 3 in London

Day 3 in London began with sunny skies, warmer weather and a trip to Victoria Station to book a train to Dickens World in Chatham (Dickens’ childhood home). 

Dr. Firenze provides some history about Victoria Station.

After a forty minute train ride from London, Savannah, Jenn, Mary (#2) and Carrie enjoy a stroll through downtown Chatham.

Dr. Firenze and Dr. Saraceno make an unsuccessful attempt to be the first to arrive at Dickens World.

We arrive at Dickens World!

Carrie has a close encounter with a Victorian lad outside of Dickens World.

Jessica, Sean and Mary (#1) have some fun in line for London’s “longest, dark boat ride”.

Drs. Firenze, Musa and Saraceno suit up for London’s longest, dark boat ride which is also (presumedly) the wettest.

Mary (#2) and Sarah board the boat.

Dr. Firenze exhibits hilarity that is an obvious and thinly veiled attempt to disguise his panic over being confined to a small space while waiting in line to participate in the long, dark boat ride.

Although we had some fun, Dickens World disappointed.  The experience was not educational and the long, dark boat ride was not particulary long or dark.  The experience is possibly best summed up by a quote from ‘Our Mutual Friend’ Mike, “Although we had ‘Great Expectations’, Dickens World turned out to be a ‘Bleak House’.  Oh well, you win some and you lose some.

Olga, Carrie, Pam, Jenn and Savannah wait for the train back to London.

After returning to London we split into two groups.  One group headed for Buckingham Palace and the other to a cruise on the Thames.  On the way, we saw several magnificant London sites.

Westminster Abbey

Big Ben, a really big bell in a really big clock!

Parliament

Tower Bridge

Tower of London

 Our day ended with a trip to the Devereaux Pub.

Cheers!

Tomorrow: A trip to Down House (Darwin’s home) and The Globe Theater for a performance of Othello!