Darwin's 'Beagle apprenticeship' is Feb. 13 lecture topic

A talk on "Darwin's Prophetic Apprenticeship on the 'Beagle' Voyage" will be one of the highlights of a series of activities at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln recognizing the bicentennial anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth.

George Levine, professor emeritus of English at Rutgers University, will deliver the lecture beginning at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13 in the auditorium of the Nebraska Union, 1400 R St., one day after Darwin's 200th birthday. The lecture is free an open to the public and will be keyed to a general audience.

One of the leading scholars on Victorian literature and science with a particular focus on Darwin and his continuing impact on the conflict between science and humanities, Levine is the author of the 2006 book, "Darwin Loves You: Natural Selection and the Re-enchantment of the World." He argues that "faith" in evolution is not the same as pessimism, and that a fresh and literary reading of Darwin's writings can lead us back to the feeling of enchantment with the natural world that many 20th-century theorists argue has been lost because of the dominance of science.

In his talk, Levine will examine the scientific methods developed by Darwin, especially during the famous voyage of the "Beagle." He will argue that in contrast to the conventional view that science drains the world of moral and spiritual significance, the very strategies of scientific investigation that Darwin developed fill the world with meaning as well as esthetic and moral value. In doing so, Levine will affirm the secular value of Darwin's work beyond its obvious scientific importance.

Other UNL events include a Darwin Bicentennial Lecture series that began Jan. 16 and concludes March 11.

Feb. 12 to March 29, the Great Plains Art Museum, 1155 Q St., will host an exhibition, "Celebrating Darwin's Legacy: Evolution in the Galapagos Islands and the Great Plains." March 26-28, the Center for Great Plains Studies presents a symposium, "Celebrating Darwin's Legacy," at the Great Plains Art Museum and the Nebraska Union.

In addition, six UNL departments are offering an "Evolution Classroom Presentation Series" to middle or high school classes.

There is a registration fee for the symposium. All other talks and the exhibition are free and open to the public. For more information about these events, contact the Center for Great Plains Studies, (402) 472-3082, or visit www.unl.edu/plains.

Sponsors include the Center for Great Plains Studies, Office of the Chancellor, Office of the Senior Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development, University of Nebraska Foundation, Nebraska Humanities Council, College of Arts and Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska State Museum, UNL departments of History, English, Psychology and Geosciences, the University Honors Program, and KZUM 89.3 FM; and with participation from the UNL departments of Anthropology, Classics and Religious Studies, and Mathematics, and the School of Natural Resources.