The Darwin Bicentennial Celebration

• Introduction
• Lecture Series
• Film Series
• Arts & Programs

Introduction

This year, Appalachian State University celebrates the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin, arguably the world's most famous scientist, and the 150th anniversary of the publication of his groundbreaking book On the Origin of Species. Perhaps no other scientist has left such an enduring body of work or a legacy that has affected so many aspects of our world, from the various fields of science, to the arts and humanities, to religion, even to commerce and business. Some have said that Darwin's Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection is the single greatest scientific idea that man has ever devised. Theodosius Dobzhansky, a leading evolutionary scientist, famously remarked that "nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution." Yet from the very date of the publication of On the Origin in 1859, there has been controversy over evolutionary theory that persists even to this day. Who is not aware of the famous Scopes Trial of 1925, or the more recent 2005 Dover Trial in Pennsylvania?

Despite these controversies, evolution still remains the only acceptable scientific theory for how life on earth has changed through time. In recognition of this, The University Forum Committee decided to dedicate this year's Lecture Series to a celebration of Charles Darwin, his ideas, and their impact. To do this, the committee created the Darwin Bicentennial Celebration Committee, composed of faculty members from a wide range of disciplines at the university, and charged them with creating a celebration worthy of Darwin and his ideas.

Working together, the members of this committee have arranged one of the most ambitious Darwin Celebrations in the world. The celebration kicks off with a Lecture Series that brings some of the most renowned Darwin and evolution scholars to our campus, including scientists, historians, philosophers, authors and theologians. We will also present an Evolution Film Festival, with movies and documentaries that are either about or inspired by evolution. The Departments of Art and Music will be hosting juried competitions for works by students that are inspired by Darwin and evolution, and our Theater and Dance Department will present scenes from Inherit the Wind. The L.A. Theater will present The Great Tennessee Monkey Trials, based on the original transcripts from the famous Scopes Trial. And lastly, we will feature outreach sessions to the general public, where issues about evolution and Darwin will be freely discussed.

We encourage you to come to as many activities as possible (or all of them!). Most are free and open to the public. We think there is something of interest here for everyone, and we look forward to seeing you at our presentations and performances.

Oh, by the way - Happy 200th Birthday Charles!

Howie Neufeld, Chair
University Forum and Darwin Bicentennial Celebration Committees
neufeldhs@appstate.edu