The 2009-10 Chautauqua lecture series at Eastern Kentucky University will focus on “Creative Inquiries.”

Ten programs will explore the topic from a variety of perspectives and feature several nationally known speakers. The series also includes a musical performance by the American Spiritual Ensemble.

The 10th annual series coincides with the University’s Quality Enhancement Program, which says “EKU will develop informed, critical and creative thinkers who can communicate effectively.”

All programs are free and open to the public and will begin at 7:30 p.m. The locations vary: four programs are in Clark Auditorium of the Wallace Building, four are in O’Donnell Hall in the Student Services Building and two are in Brock Auditorium of the Coates Administration Building.

The complete 2009-10 Chautauqua schedule:

Tuesday, Sept. 1, O’Donnell Hall – Sylvia Earle (pictured at right), oceanographer and chief scientist, U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1990-92, and now Explorer in Residence, National Geographic Society, “Sustainable Seas: The Vision and the Reality.”

Tuesday, Sept. 15, Clark Auditorium – Kwame Anthony Appiah, Ghanaian philosopher and novelist, “Ethics in a World of Strangers.”

Thursday, Oct. 8, Clark Auditorium – Nadine Strossen, president, American Civil Liberties Union, 1991-2008, “Current Challenges to Free Speech.”

Thursday, Oct. 22, Clark Auditorium – Jennifer Hecht, poet, historian, philosopher and author , “Inquiries into Doubt.”

Thursday, Nov. 5, Clark Auditorium – James McLurkin, engineer and roboticist, “The End of the World and Other Misconceptions: The Truth about Robots.”

Thursday, Jan. 21, Brock Auditorium –Frank Warren, founder of PostSecret website project, “The Most Trusted Stranger in America: Frank Warren’s Post Secret.”

Thursday, Feb. 4, Brock Auditorium – American Spiritual Ensemble, “Keeping the American Negro Spirituals Alive.”

Thursday, Feb. 18, O’Donnell Hall – Gary Potter, EKU College of Justice & Safety faculty, “War, Work and Sex: Human Trafficking and Globalization.”

Thursday, March 25, O’Donnell Hall – Rushda Majeed, EKU graduate now program director at ASMA Society, dedicated to building bridges between public and Muslim community, “Change from Within: Highlighting Young Muslim Leaders.”

Thursday, April 1, O’Donnell Hall – Derrick Jensen, author and environmental activist, “Civilization and Resistance.”