Welcome to Social Science's Lunchtime Lecture Series page! Listed below are the past lectures that were presented by MCC's Social Science faculty and guest speakers to broaden student learning, engagement, and knowledge in global and domestic current affairs.
LUNCHTIME LECTURE SERIES - SPRING 2023
Poverty and Wealth Inequality: Comparing the Histories of Poland and the United States
Social Science residential faculty Sylwia Cavalcant (Economics); Cultural Science residential faculty Paul Harasha (Sociology); and Cultural Science adjunct faculty Rod Golden (Sociology), recently presented an insightful and thought-provoking dialogue to students and staff on Poverty and Wealth Inequality: Comparing the Histories of Poland the United States, communism, and democracy concepts. The lecture was conducted in person and via Google Meet on Tuesday, April 25, 2023.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Rise of Populism in America
Social Science's residential faculty Courtney Smith (History); Debbie Henney (Economics); and Dr. Brian Dille (Political Science) recently shared the history, economics, and politics of populist movements in America. Although things may seem a little off in America right now, it’s not the first time this has happened. Attendees gained a better understanding on the ideology behind populism, and the "us vs. them" sentiments that have gained momentum in the U.S. and other countries. This lecture was conducted in-person and via live stream on Wednesday, April 19, 2023.
You can view and listen to the recorded session here:
https://maricopa.webex.com/maricopa/ldr.php?RCID=6e2334f75766f51a5435805d2bbffeff
Password: Socialscience2023
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Politics of Nationalism and Extremism
Presenters Dr. Viola Fuentes (Political Science), and her student, Zachary Egan, provided attendees an informative and indepth discussion on the impact that nationalism and extremism had on Manifest Destiny and Executive Order 9066 (Japanese Internment Camps), and how extremism is shown in contemporary events such as the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol and the mysterious attacks on power stations across the U.S. This lecture was conducted in-person and via live stream on Wednesday, April 5, 2023.
You can view and listen to the recorded session here:
https://maricopa.webex.com/maricopa/ldr.php?RCID=772b4313bb16477ca0a1cb4777eef73d
Password: SocialScience23
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Why are Republicans Losing Elections in Arizona?
Republicans have won most elections in Arizona for the past 70 years, but they have lost the past three statewise elections. Professor Dille provided an overview on why Democrats did much better than expected in the recent Midterm elections at both the national and state levels, and what these results meant for the future. This lecture was conducted in-person and via live stream on Tuesday, March 7, 2023.
You can view and listen to the recorded session here:
https://maricopa.webex.com/maricopa/ldr.php?RCID=4dd9f99a240a89d223193435e0a7909f
Recording password: Dillelecture3723
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
LUNCHTIME LECTURE SERIES - FALL 2022
The Effects of Debt on Mental Health
Social Science's Sylwia Cavalcant, Residential Faculty/Economics; Nicole Collins, Chief Diversity Officer; and Nathan Terlisner, Residential Faculty/Counseling, provided an overview on how much debt impacts historically underrepresented and underserved communities, together with helpful tips and strategies on how to manage one's thinking, emotions, and behaviors when it comes to finances. The presentation was held on Wednesday, October 26, 2023.
You can view and listen to the recorded session here:
_________________________________________________________________________
Ballot Overview
Sometimes ballot propositions are written such that up means down and yes means no. Dr. Brian Dille, Political Science Professor, recently discussed the pros and cons for this year's propositions during Civic Action Hour on Wednesday, October 19, 2022.
You can view and listen to the recorded session here:
https://www.mesacc.edu/community-civic-engagement/events-opportunities/civic-action-hour
________________________________________________________________________
The Long Walk of the Navajo
In support of Native American Heritage Month, the Social Science Department and American Indian Institute recently collaborated to discuss the historical, political, and economic consequences of this infamous "400-mile walk," in which the U.S. government forced the relocation of 9,500 Navajo (Diné) people from 1863 to 1868.
Dr. Viola Fuentes, Political Science Professor, and Samuel Stevens, II, Student Services Specialist with the American Indian Institute, were the presenters of this lecture on Tuesday, October 11th, 2022.
You can view and listen to the recorded session here:
https://maricopa.webex.com/maricopa/ldr.php?RCID=5c84e627e109440660a3b82657f9bb6e
Recording password: SocialScience2022
________________________________________________________________________
Update on the Russo-Ukraine War
Social Science faculty recently held a follow up to their spring 2022 discussion on the Russo-Ukrainian War on September 27, 2022. Dr. Brian Dille, Political Science Professor, and Dr. Paul Hietter, History Professor, were the presenters of this lecture.
You can view and listen to the recorded session here:
https://maricopa.webex.com/recordingservice/sites/maricopa/recording/3a5...
Recording password: SocialScience2022
________________________________________________________________________
The Russo-Ukrainian War of 2022
MCC’s Social Science faculty held an open forum on the Russo-Ukrainian War on Thursday, Apri 14, 2022. The presenters and their respective topics included:
- Russia and Ukraine Since the End of the Cold War—Dr. Paul Hietter, History
- The Geopolitics of Putin’s Gamble—Dr. Brian Dille, Political Science
- The Impact of Sanctions on “Fortress Russia”—Sylwia Cavalcant, Economics
You can view and listen to the recorded forum here: