Moraine Valley Community College Library Podcast

Brian P. Swift's life was changed as a result of a tragic football accident when he was 17 years old. A C6 quadriplegic, he now lives life fully from a wheelchair as a personal development coach, speaker, best-selling author, radio personality, alumnus of Moraine Valley and graduate of DePaul University's College of Law.

This talk shares the story of Teófilo Stevenson, a prominent and dominant Afro-Cuban boxer whose decision to remain in Cuba following the Cuban Revolution of 1959 elevated him to the status of Cuban national hero and international sports celebrity; it also set off discourses about race and black athletic activism and Cuban exile culture and politics.

As we mark the 100th anniversary of the historic Scopes Trial, this interdisciplinary panel will delve into the enduring significance of The State of Tennessee v. John Thomas Scopes, a case that reshaped the cultural, legal, and educational landscape of America. Bringing together historians, political scientists, biologists, and philosophers, this discussion will explore the trial's foundational conflicts between science and religion, and its resonance in today's debates over the teaching of evolution and other controversial subjects.

Participants will hear Dr. Haney's leadership journey and gain valuable insight from Moraine Valley Community College's 6th president.

Several faculty across disciplines will discuss the new media ecosystem and the impact this has had on politics and society.

MVCC students share their personal experiences and perspectives living with disabilities. This event offers a unique opportunity to learn about life inside and outside of the classroom. Panelists will highlight what they wish others understood about living with disabilities and how to create a more inclusive and supportive environment. This event is part of the One Book program and is organized by the Center for Disability Services.

The prospect of graduate school for any degree or program can seem like a lot. Join us for this interactive panel as faculty and administrators from across disciplines share their many experiences, and answer questions on how to approach what graduate school can involve.

Political Science Professor Kevin Navratil discusses global trade with a special focus on tariffs and protectionism. He examines the benefits and drawbacks of both free trade and protectionism, exploring the potential implications on the global economy.

There have been numerous executive orders and new policy directions in the first few weeks of the second Trump Administration. Join us for a discussion regarding the resulting changes and the implications for the future.

Presentation by Dr. Heather Hayes, Assistant Professor of Special Education at Northwestern College. Dr. Hayes is an expert in special education, having served as a middle and high school special education teacher for seven years before pursuing both a master's degree and doctorate in the field.Her current research focuses on opportunities to learn the general education content for students with extensive support needs, universal design for learning, and literacy instruction for students with extensive support needs.

There have been numerous executive orders and new policy directions in the first few weeks of the second Trump Administration. Join us for a discussion regarding the resulting changes and the implications for the future.

The MVCC Library is excited to welcome Dr. Paul Booth, a leading scholar from DePaul University specializing in fandom, pop culture, and media studies. Dr. Booth will delve into the ways media and fan communities shape culture, identity, and creativity in the digital age.

MVCC Velocity students interview special guest Theresa Mah, Illinois State Representative from the 24th District. Representative Mah was the chief sponsor of the Dignity in Pay Act which eliminates subminimum wage for workers with disabilities.

The structure of the international system has changed in the past generation and this has contributed to wide ranging implications on countries/states around the world. We will discuss how the international system is changing and how this might impact conflict, cooperation around shared global threats, and human security around the world. This event is organized by the MVCC Democracy Commitment.

The history of the Bishop Colony (1846-1860) includes assassination, religious debates, and an economic boom (and bust) of the Illinois Prairie. Bishop Hill helped lead the way for the development of the Western Illinois by Europeans. The Swedes at Bishop Hill followed their profit Eric Janson from Sweden to America. This talk will explore this history and consider how we view this period of Illinois history.

During this presentation, an overview will be provided on the different definitions of homelessness, how it can impact individuals, and the available resources on campus to support students.

Monsters often are shaped by our collective fears – and Mary Shelley, Bela Lugosi, and James Whale, some of the greatest architects and faces of horror narratives, are clear demonstrations of this. In this lecture we will discuss how the experiences of war deeply shaped the unconscious creation of monsters. Explore how authors and filmmakers have harnessed the power of fear and the macabre to confront, process, and ultimately heal from the unspeakable traumas of armed conflict. This discussion will consider the relationship between art, psychology, and the collective reckoning with the horrors of war.

For nearly 50 years, Star Wars has made a tremendous impact on popular culture. Controversies surrounding the saga have shifted to issues of diversity and representation. Living in a world where the consumption of and meaning-making of pop culture have become a collective process, minoritized groups of Star Wars fans have been using their voices and creativity on social media and other fan outlets to "resist" problematic representation and the lack of visibility.

In collaboration with the Crisis Center of South Suburbia, this presentation will focus on the components that make up a healthy relationship, and how to address concerns that may escalate to signs of control or abuse. We will also discuss resources available to victims as well as how to support an individual who experiences abuse or violence in their relationship in awareness of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Join us for a student panel discussion, organized by the Library and the Anime Club, where passionate readers share their favorite Manga titles. Panel members will delve into the unique characteristics of various genres, offering insights into what makes each one special. Whether you're a seasoned Manga enthusiast or just curious, this event promises to broaden your understanding and appreciation of this diverse and vibrant medium.

Political Science faculty Merri Fefles-Dunkle, Dr. Deron Schreck, and Kevin Navratil will explain how the Electoral College works and which states will determine who our next president will be.

Neurodiversity, the understanding that many people think, process sensory information, and behave differently than others due to brain differences, is an emergent way of broadening our view of neurological variations, such as ADHD and the autism spectrum traditionally categorized as disability.

MVCC faculty members across disciplines discuss the implications and realities of artificial intelligence here at MVCC and beyond.

Faculty member Carey Millsap-Spears will discuss her new book, Star Trek Discovery and the Female Gothic: Tell Fear No. Join us to explore the intersection of science fiction and the scholarly themes of the female gothic. Millsap-Spears will share her perspectives on how "Star Trek Discovery" redefines these classic motifs for a modern audience.

This talk will provide an overview of the resources and support available to students at Moraine Valley to ensure an inclusive educational environment. This talk will cover the range of services offered, including academic accommodations, assistive technologies, and more.

Moraine Valley political science faculty members Merri Fefles-Dunkle, Dr. Deron Schreck, and Kevin Navratil come together to update the state of the 2024 election. The September 10, 2024 debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump was a major moment, but did it change much?

Historically, deaf individuals faced discrimination and societal misconceptions. Over time, attitudes have shifted towards inclusivity and empowerment, recognizing the valuable contributions of the deaf community.

Moraine Valley political science faculty members Merri Fefles-Dunkle, Dr. Deron Schreck, and Kevin Navratil come together to update the state of the 2024 election. It's been a month since the Moraine Valley political science faculty last met to talk.

Rev. Brian Sauder discusses the connections between faith and environmental justice. Rev Sauder is the Executive Director of Faith in Place which is a nonprofit that partners with communities of faith from diverse religious traditions (and people who do not follow a faith) to advance environmental and racial justice. This event is part of the Library's Earth Day program.

Discussion with women representing the Arab American professional community. The panelists, representing an array of professions, challenge stereotypes as they share their personal, educational and career journeys and provide insight about how they navigate a professional world that has preconceived notions about the communities they represent.

Congressman Sean Casten of Illinois' 6th District visits Moraine Valley. Mr. Casten meets with political science students as he discusses issues facing our country and our area.

Faculty member and Democracy Commitment Coordinator, Kevin Navratil, interviews MVCC Trustee Patricia Joan Murphy. This interview is part of a series of interviews with Moraine Valley Community College Trustees.

Faculty member and Democracy Commitment Coordinator, Kevin Navratil, interviews MVCC Trustee Kevin Navratil. This interview is part of a series of interviews with Moraine Valley Community College Trustees.

Addiction is often misunderstood, feared, and not spoken about openly. Let's get the conversation started! During this panel discussion, Moraine Valley faculty members; Amanda Pettigrew, Dave Wittenkeller, and Anni Rasmussen will discuss substance use addiction from their personal and professional experiences.

Frankenstein's monster has undergone a type of evolution beyond the pages of the novel that birthed him. He started as an agile creature who intentionally commits vengeful murders in the original novel to an inarticulate, childlike monster image of him that mostly came from the movies. The monster has become one of the most recognizable and well-known characters of fiction taking on a life across print, films, television, and stage. The monster has been born and reborn within many cultural contexts.

In the novel Frankenstein, Mary Shelley presents us with a “monster” whose very existence is complex and difficult. The monster takes his abandonment, abuse, neglect, and maltreatment and turns it into hatred and revenge upon his creator. In this panel discussion, our psychology faculty members will use Frankenstein's monster as a lens through which we can understand psychological theory.

This year, 2024, is a leap year, which means that we add one extra day to our calendar. We have a leap year every four years, but this has not always been the case. Our modern calendars define so much about our lives. The hour of the day, the day of the week, and the month of the year, dictate when we go to school or work, when we celebrate holidays, or when we have a birthday. But, our calendars tell us more. They also tell us how we frame time and our physical world. This talk will explore our calendars and what they say about how we know our world. This event is part of the Honors Program's brown bag talk series.

Since its publication in 1818, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein has an evolving legacy as a masterwork in exploring the complexity of the lived experience. The story and its main characters have often been an inflection point to discuss contemporary cultural issues, which have varied greatly in the last 200+ years. In this talk, we will explore how anxiety manifests in Frankenstein as a feeling that is grappled with by characters and how contemporary issues around mental health continue to engage with themes from the book.

Over the past year, cracks have been forming within the Democratic coalition over several topics including social issues, whether Joe Biden should run for a second term, U.S. support for Israel, and several other issues. In this panel discussion, political science faculty members will examine these divides and help us understand the different demographic groups that come together to form modern political parties.

A special event organized by the Arab Student Union.

Join us as former President of the Chicago Teachers Union, Jesse Sharkey, visits Moraine Valley. Mr. Sharkey will share his experience as a leader in the largest local unions in the state of Illinois and one of the largest in the country. He will discuss how CTU created a movement that put teachers and school staff members at the heart of a political movement that elected the Mayor of Chicago.

To kick off the spring semester, we return to the original text. The monster will come to life as theater and speech students perform a dramatic reading of selections from the novel Frankenstein. This will be an engaging and exciting way to connect with the text.

Panel 2: Join us in the Library in honor of International Education Week (IEW) for an international student panel. International students will share their firsthand experiences while adapting to a new way of living in the United States. Come out and hear about the struggles and triumphs our international students encountered.

Recent media coverage of age and politics has been extensive. The average age of members of the Senate is 65 and the average age in the House of Representatives has decreased to 58 years old. This pattern reflects the increasing demographic of baby boomers reaching retirement age.

This brown-bag lunch talk will focus on the joys of listening to and collecting vinyl records as a hobby.

The purpose of this talk is to offer historical context to the horrific violence occurring in the ongoing Hamas/Israeli conflict.

There are numerous opportunities in the early childhood industry, from classroom instruction to managing multiple childcare franchises-this event will present the chance for students and community members to gain more insight into what the field has to offer. Panelists will consist of various roles, including lead teacher and executive director. This event is organized by MVCC's Early Childhood Education program.

Make a plan and get motivated to write!

Día de los Muertos originated in ancient Mesoamerica (Mexico and northern Central America) where indigenous groups, including Aztec, Maya and Toltec, had specific times when they commemorated their loved ones who had passed away. Certain months were dedicated to remembering the departed, based on whether the deceased was an adult or a child. Hear from Moraine Valley staff regarding the tradition and how you can participate in this year's ofrenda.

Learn about NaNoWriMo. You can join our writing community.

The MVCC Library welcomes Argonne National Laboratory's John T. Murphy who is an anthropologist, archaeologist, and computer scientist. Dr. Murphy will connect two great 19th-century thinkers, Mary Shelley and Ada Lovelace.