Fall Events
Happy 200th Birthday Illinois! What’s next: Future Challenges and Opportunities for our State.
When & Where: 9/25: 11:00-12:15 in the Library
Moraine Valley is honored to host State Senator Bill Cunningham. Cunningham represents several communities in the Moraine Valley District. He has been a Senator for the past 5 years and was previously a member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 2011-2013. Senator Cunningham will talk about his legislative experience in Illinois and some of the opportunities and challenges he envisions for our state in the future such as Illinois budget issues, higher education funding, and the state’s economy. The event is part of our campus programming to commemorate the Illinois bicentennial and sponsored by the Democracy Commitment.
Me or We: A panel discussion on the responsibilities individuals have to society and others.
When & Where: 10/11: 11:00-12:15 in the Library
Joined by Psychology Professor Dr. Amy Williamson and Sociology Professor Dr. Jeffrey McCully we will consider questions such as: Do individuals have responsibilities to society? If so, what are they? If not, what is the role of individuals in a society? What responsibilities do heroes and leaders have to society? Are individuals becoming increasingly egocentric, and if so, what are the implications of this?
This event is a collaboration between One Book One College and the Democracy Commitment.
Democracy Hour: 12:00-1:00pm in D-116
Democracy Hour is designed to be a nonpartisan effort to strengthen civic education, understanding of current events, and improve civil dialogue. The Democracy hour will an opportunity for an open, nonjudgmental opportunity to ask questions and discuss perspectives about current events, political processes, and public policy.
Each week will have a main theme in which we examine a current issue or political process. This may include reading a brief article or watching a short video regarding the topic. I hope to foster meaningful dialogue among people from different backgrounds, experiences, and views. I will also share related resources for those interested in learning more about the selected topic or issue and how to get more involved. Democracy Hour is open to students, staff, and faculty.
Democracy Hour Schedule
9/17: 12:00-12:50 U-111: Constitution Day: Is the U.S. Constitution still Working?
We will examine the strengths and weaknesses of the U.S. Constitution and consider modern challenges the Constitution faces.
10/1: 12:00-12:50 U-111A: Discussion on the Ethical Dilemmas with Genetic Engineering and Artificial Intelligence.
This session will examine some of the key ethical issues associated with genetic engineering and artificial intelligence led by Philosophy professors Mary Barney and Dr. Aaron Smith.
10/15: 12:00-12:50 U-111: Discussing the #MeToo Movement One Year Later.
On October 15th 2017 Actress Alyssa Milano helped create the #MeToo movement with her tweet: “If you’ve been sexually harassed or assaulted, write ‘me too’ as a reply to this tweet. This session will discuss the impact one year later and the potential future of the movement. Information Literacy Librarian Tish Hayes and Anni Rasmussen, Addiction Studies Adjunct Professor will lead our discussion.
10/29: 12:00-12:50 U-111: Election Overview, Key Races, What to look for in the 2018 Election.
This session will begin with finding out whether you are registered to vote, where to vote, and offices that you can vote for in the 2018 Election. Professors of Political Science Jeremy Kingery and Kevin Navratil will also consider some of the key races in Illinois and throughout the United States in the 2018 Election.
11/12: 12:00-12:50 in the library: Democracy Hour Presents 2018 Election Analysis.
The 2018 Election could be one of the most pivotal mid-term elections in history. It could alter the current control of the U.S. Senate, House of Representatives, as well as which party controls the statehouse across dozens of U.S. states. Professor of History, Political Science and Sociology Merri Fefles and Political Science Professor Dr. Deron Schreck will analyze the 2018 Election and discuss the implications of the election results.
12/3: 12:00-12:50 Library Happy 200th Birthday, Illinois: A progress report on the promises enshrined in the preamble of the state constitution.
The preamble of the Illinois state constitution talks about the maintenance of the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens through a representative and orderly government. It aims to eliminate poverty and inequality, provide social and economic justice, and the fullest development of the individual. What grade does the state of Illinois deserve for their performance in this 200th year, particularly with regard to its “orderly” government? Professor of History, Political Science and Sociology Merri Fefles and Political Science Professor Kevin Navratil will lead a discussion examining these and other topics. The event is part of our campus programming to commemorate the Illinois bicentennial and sponsored by the Democracy Commitment.