HIST 104-005: The Age of Darwin.
Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:15-4:30 PM
Instructor: Adam Shapiro (adams@uchicago.edu) Office Hours: Tues. & Thurs
2-3
SH 231
The notion of an “age” is an artifact of the human process of putting events into historical
perspective. The idea of an “Age of Darwin” must be defined, not only by objective
dates, but also on the perceived significance of Darwin’s ideas and influence on humans
and human society.
Perhaps the most compelling reason for calling a period of time an “age of
Darwin” is that Darwinian ideas were seen to strike at the very core of human identity.
The idea of the human has always been a complex one in human thought. The human
being is a material, biological entity, a thinking thing that interacts with ideas, and a
member of larger entities such as states and communities. How do these different
identities shape one another? By looking at the literature, philosophy, science and
religion of the period spanning Darwin, we can begin to see how complex such a question
can be.
Reading. All sections of this course read many of the same works, however some of the
reading is unique to this section. The following books are required and available at the
bookstore.
Philip Appleman, ed. Darwin. [Includes works by Charles Darwin and others.
Hereafter referred to as the Darwin reader]
David Hume. Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion
Mary Shelley. Frankenstein, or, the Modern Prometheus.
Emile Zola. Thérèse Raquin.
Additionally, some readings will be available in handout or electronic reserve, or
online, as designated below. In addition, the readings and subject matter for the two
meetings of Week 15 are not yet decided. At the midterm, this “wild card” week will be
determined in consultation with the class’s interest.
Requirements: During the course of the semester, two papers (each 15%) of length 3
pages will be assigned. An in-class midterm will be given just before the fall break
(15%) The final week of the course will consist of brief oral presentations given by each
member of the class, which, along with participation and attendance throughout the
semester, will figure into a participation grade (25%). A final paper of 10 pages will be
assigned in lieu of a final exam (30%).
Please note that participation is not just attendance, but includes contributing to
the class discussion. Arriving at class late or leaving early will affect your attendance.
Plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty are categorically forbidden, and may
result in a grade of zero for that assignment and additional sanctions as explained in the
Code of Academic Honesty in the Student Handbook. If you have any doubts as to what
constitutes plagiarism, please ask before you begin work.
Adaptation of methods and materials for students with documented disabilities
will be made in consultation with the Center for Disability Resources. Students are also
advised to take advantage of the Writing Center (SH 232-233) for help with writing
assignments.
Late work will be penalized at the instructor’s discretion unless one has secured
permission to turn in a late assignment from the instructor before the original due date.
Week 1, Aug 24: Introduction and Overview. What is “The Age of Darwin?”
Reading: Percy Bysshe Shelley. On Life. To be handed out in class.
Week 2, Aug 29: The Biology of Sex and Rights in the late 18th Century.
Reading: Mary Wollstonecraft: A Vindication of the Rights of Woman.
Introduction and Chapter 1. Mary Shelley: Frankenstein, or, the Modern Prometheus.
Author’s Preface.
Aug 31: Frankenstein
Reading: Frankenstein Chapters 1-8.
FIRST PAPER TOPICS ASSIGNED
Week 3, Sep 5: Who is Prometheus?
Readings: Frankenstein Chapters 9-16. P. B. Shelley: Prometheus Unbound. Act
III.
Sep 7: God, Gods and Godlessness
Readings: Prometheus Unbound, Author’s Preface. William Paley, Natural
Theology, Chapters 1 and 2. Thomas Malthus: An Essay on the Principle of Population
Week 4, Sep 12: Debating Design Before Darwin
Readings: David Hume: Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion, Parts I –V.
Paley, Natural Theology: Chapters 6, 23.
Sep 14: Religion, Nature and Meaning
Readings: Hume: Dialogues, Parts VI-XII
Week 5, Sep 19: An Interlude in honor of (U.S.) Constitution Day (Sept 17)
Readings: U. S. Declaration of Independence. Declaration of the Rights of Man.
FIRST PAPERS DUE
Sep 21: Victor Frankenstein, Master Designer?
Readings: Frankenstein, Chapters 17-24
Week 6, Sep 26: The Origin of the Age
Readings: Darwin: Origin of Species, Introduction-Chapter 3
Sep 28: Nature and Natural Selection
Readings: Origin: Chapter 4
Week 7, Oct 3: The Novelty of Natural Selection
Readings: Origin: Chapters 6, 9, 13, 14
Oct 5: The Descent of Man
Readings: Descent: Introduction, Chapter 1
Week 8, Oct 10:
Readings: Descent. Chapters 2, 3, 6
Oct 12:
Readings: Descent. Chapters 19-21
Week 9, Oct 17:In-Class Midterm
Readings: None.
Oct 19: NO CLASS. FALL BREAK
FINAL PAPER TOPICS ASSIGNED
Week 10, Oct 24: Thérèse Raquin and the Animal Man
Readings: Thérèse Raquin. Preface to the Second Edition-Chapter 10
Oct 26: Darwinism and Sex
Readings: “Evolution and Gender” Section in Darwin Reader.
Week 11, Oct 31:
Readings: Thérèse Raquin. Chapters 11-21
Nov 2: NO CLASS. (INSTRUCTOR OUT OF TOWN)
Readings: UN Declaration of Human Rights
SECOND PAPER TOPICS ASSIGNED
Week 12, Nov 7: Taylorism, Industrialism and the New Individual
Readings: Frederick Winslow Taylor. The Principles of Scientific Management,
online at: http://www.eldritchpress.org/fwt/taylor.html. Introduction, Chapter 1, and
Chapter 2 up to end of Bethlehem Steel example.
Nov 9: Thérèse
Readings: Thérèse Raquin. Chapters 22-End
Week 13, Nov 14: Evolution and Ethics – The Ethical Individual
Readings: pp. 387-425 in Darwin Reader
Nov 16: Evolution and Ethics – The Ethical Society
Readings: pp. 501-524 in Darwin Reader
SECOND PAPERS DUE
Week 14, Nov 21, 23: NO CLASS (THANKSGIVING – CLASS WILL NOT MEET
ON TUESDAY AS WELL AS THURSDAY.)
Week 15, Nov 28: Wild Card Week – Part 1
Readings: (to be determined by class)
Nov 30: Wild Card Week – Part 2
Readings: (to be determined by class)
Week 16, Dec 5: Student Presentations
Readings: None
Dec 7: Student Presentations
Readings: None
FINAL PAPER DUE: DECEMBER 12 BY NOON