Phi Beta Kappa at Sweet Briar will present its 2008-2009 lecture at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 13 in the Boxwood Room at the Elston Inn & Conference Center.
Betty Smocovitis, who has a joint appointment as professor of zoology and professor of history at the University of Florida in Gainesville, will deliver the lecture, “ ‘Singing his Praises’: Darwin and his Theory in Song and Musical Production.”
The lecture will reflect on Darwin, his theory and its expression in popular culture in general, and American culture in particular.
Smocovitis said it explores several “substantive issues in the history of evolution pertaining to controversies over Darwin and the reception of his theory, but it does so in a lighthearted and engaging manner.”
Smocovitis will play and discuss music as part of her presentation. She said it is designed to introduce a general audience to the life of Darwin, to introduce some new insights on his life and work and to provoke thought about the relationship between science and American popular culture.
The lecture is free and open to the general public. A reception will follow.
For more information, please contact Linda Fink at
lfink@sbc.eduor 381-6436.
