Clarksville, Ark. --- Philosopher and scientist Michael Ruse; Tierney Cahill, a sixth-grade teacher who ran a grassroots campaign for Congress from her classroom; and the New York City-based quartet The Lascivious Biddies highlight the University of the Ozarks' 2008-2009 Walton Arts & Ideas Series.
The theme for the upcoming series will be and will include five lectures and concerts throughout the academic year.
The series begins on Oct. 16 with the comedy revue Chicago City Limits performing its political satire show Ms Cahill for Congress.
On Feb. 17, the all-female pop quartet The Lascivious Biddies bring their show to Ozarks. Known for its energetic live shows, the quartet blends jazz, pop and cabaret with four-part harmonies to produce a fresh, genre-defying sound. The Biddies and their music have been featured on The Food Network, The Discovery Channel, Fuse TV, a national TV commercial for Chili’s restaurants, and a segment on the CBS Evening News.
Ruse, a professor of philosophy and zoology at Florida State University, will speak at U of O on April 23. He is well known for his work on the argument between creationism and evolutionary biology. A native of England, Ruse was a witness for the plaintiff in the 1981 test case (Mclean vs. Arkansas) of the state law permitting the teaching of "creation science" in the Arkansas school system. A federal judge ruled that the state law was unconstitutional. Ruse takes the position that it is possible to reconcile the Christian religion with evolutionary theory. He founded the journal Topics: Philosophy