Moraine Valley Community College Library Podcast

Join Moraine Valley Psychology faculty in a conversation inspired by our One Book text, Ursula K. Le Guin’s novel The Dispossessed. Using the novel’s vision of community, freedom, and obligation as a starting point, the panel will explore how people build relationships when autonomy and interdependence are both at stake.

Political Divisions in the United States are far more complex than decisions about the role of government. In this talk we’ll discuss the cultural, historical, geographic, and economic roots of political bifurcation, and how understanding this can yield more enriching political interactions. This event is a Democracy Commitment event.

This event will explain what led to the U.S. government shutting down on October 1, 2025. We will discuss the factors that led to the shutdown, the positions of the Democrats and Republicans on the shutdown, and the impact on government workers, services, and politics in general.

As the United States prepares to mark the 250th anniversary of the War for Independence, this panel brings together MVCC historians to explore the defining moments of the Revolution and the lasting significance of the founding struggle.

Our communities are a reflection of the time and dedication we spend making them work. Whether through employment, interactions with your neighbors, or organizing with your elected officials, you get out of your community what you put into it. Join us for an interactive discussion about what is being put into our communities by ourselves and others and what we can do to rehabilitate ourselves from poverty and overcriminalization.Our communities are a reflection of the time and dedication we spend making them work. Whether through employment, interactions with your neighbors, or organizing with your elected officials, you get out of your community what you put into it. Join us for an interactive discussion about what is being put into our communities by ourselves and others and what we can do to rehabilitate ourselves from poverty and overcriminalization.

Argonne National Laboratory is a scientific hub with initiatives ranging from cancer research to quantum chemistry to astrophysics and cosmology. Dr. Wells will talk about his experience as a postdoctoral researcher and early-career computational scientist.

Historian Jim McIntyre will explore how the North American theater of the Seven Years’ War laid the groundwork for colonial unrest and the birth of the American Revolution. McIntyre will examine the war’s political, economic, and territorial consequences that reshaped British-colonial relations.

In recent years, there have been a rapid increase in conflicts, wars and major disagreements between countries over numerous issues. Please join history professors Merri Fefles-Dunkle and Josh Fulton and political science professor Kevin Navratil as they examine the breakdown of the Post WWII international system and other factors that may have contributed to this volatile international environment.

Join us for a special lecture exploring the work and legacy of Ursula K. Le Guin, one of the most influential voices in science fiction and fantasy. Dr. Rebecca Johns-Trissler of DePaul University will examine Le Guin’s themes of anarchism, gender, and imagination in works such as our One Book Text, The Dispossessed. This lecture invites students, faculty, and the community to reflect on how Le Guin’s writing continues to shape conversations about society and storytelling.

The Framers of the Constitution intentionally designed a “Madisonian” system with separation of powers and checks and balances. This event will briefly explain why the Framers designed the system they did and then examine how well these principles are holding up in 2025.

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.

Marc DiPaolo, Assistant Professor of Humanities and author of War, Politics, and Superheroes will talk about what different superheroes mean to fans, focusing on their value systems, powers, race, gender, and personality. He will also consider how we relate to and what powers we wish we had tell us about ourselves and others.

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.