In the summer of 1925, the quiet town of Dayton, Tennessee was thrust into the ntional limelight as host of a most unusual trial. High school teacher John T. Scopes stood accused of teaching evolution in the classroom, a violation of the Butler Act that prohibited teaching of evolution in Tennessee schools. The trial attracted two legal giants of the day: William Jennings Bryan to assist the prosecution and Clarence Darrow for the defense. A media circus gathered, fully expecting to see a showdown between revealed religion and the facts of science. Though Scopes was convicted, many people believed that science had trumped the Bible after Darrow skewered Bryan on the stand as he testified in favor of the Bible.

Or so the story goes... As is so common with historical events, the facts don't quite measure up to the legend. On March 20-21, 2006, Bryan College presents the symposium Deconstructing Scopes: Unraveling the Mythology of the World's Most Famous Trial. Bringing together scholars from all over the country, Deconstructing Scopes will examine the factors and events that led to the trial, what actually took place at the trial, and the legal, social, religious, and scientific impact of the trial. The symposium will include a one-hour play based on the trial transcript and a visit to the Rhea County Courthouse and the courtroom in which the trial took place. Lectures by Pulitzer-prize winning Edward Larson (University of Georgia) and historian Ronald L. Numbers (University of Wisconsin Madison) will be open to the public.

The symposium is ideal for anyone interested in the history of on-going legal struggles over creation and evolution in the classroom. Continuing Legal Education credit can be earned for an additional cost. Students can attend at a reduced rate. Deconstructing Scopes commemorates the 80th anniversary of the trial and the 75th anniversary of the founding of William Jennings Bryan Memorial University, now known as Bryan College.