Moraine Valley Community College Library Podcast

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.

Marc DiPaolo presents on his newly published book about the contributions Italians and Italian Americans have made to the genres of science fiction, fantasy, and horror.

Join Moraine Valley history and political science faculty for a lively panel conversation inspired by Ken Burns’ new PBS documentary series The American Revolution.

In this talk we’ll discuss some of the historical, economic, and political roots of the current Venezuelan conflict.

Le Guin is one of the best writers to help us imagine different futures and better worlds. This talk will explore her life and writing as well as why her work is still so relevant today.

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.

Should your food choices be the way your community and the state determines if you’re in fact a patriotic or “good” American? In wartime America in 1917-1918…that absolutely happened. The history of food and drink in wartime America is a fascinating reality where a new federal organization, the Food Administration—sought to influence American food consumption choices nationwide…and needed the public’s help to do it.

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.

This talk explores the significant impact language has on perceptions of disability. This lecture will delve into how word choice influences attitudes, shapes societal norms, and either promotes inclusion or perpetuates stigma.

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.

Professors Merri Fefles-Dunkle, Dr. Deron Schreck and Kevin Navratil will examine the 2024 Election.

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