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.

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.

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.

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.