October 15, 2019 2:51 pm

The History of Witchcraft and Witch Trials

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Do you ever wonder what faculty do during their summers off? Yvonne Jocks, novelist and TCC English faculty member, traveled to Scotland to research the history of witch trials. She will present her findings on October 29 at 6:30 pm in the Library Classroom, ESED 1212. All are welcome to attend.

With the notable exception of Salem, there were relatively few witch trials in the United States. Europe, on the other hand, went through several waves of witch hunts. From 1563 to 1736, there were 3,141 recorded accused witches in Scotland alone! The density of witches has been helpfully mapped by researchers at the University of Edinburgh. Why so many? What factors led to these women (and a few men) being accused? Join us to find out! Come for just the lecture, or arrive at 4:30 PM to listen to Spooky Stories, a Halloween-themed storytelling event presented by TCC faculty and staff.


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April 22, 2019 9:41 am

Frankenstein: Penetrating the Secrets of Nature

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“Frankenstein: Penetrating the Secrets of Nature” is here! The six-banner exhibition is up from now until May 16 in the Library, ESED 1200. If you would like to send your students to the exhibit itself, a worksheet is available for students to pick up at the exhibit as proof of attendance.  Information about teaching with Frankenstein can be found at https://frankenreads.org/resources/teaching-frankenstein/


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April 9, 2019 11:36 am

Frankenstein and Philosophy

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Did you know that Mary Shelley was the daughter of two philosophers? Her father, William Godwin, was a radical philosopher and the founder of philosophical anarchism. Mary Wollstonecraft, her mother, was a passionate advocate for women’s rights. Though Mary Wollstonecraft died just 11 days after her daughter was born, Mary Shelley studied her mother’s writings, and her father ensured that she received the thorough education her mother would have wanted. Consequently, when Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein at just 18, it was heavily influenced by philosophical trends of the day.

Michael Vendsel, Ph.D., TCC professor of philosophy, will present an accessible introduction to these trends on April 17 at 2 PM in the Library Classroom, ESED 1212. Please join us as we learn more about Frankenstein and the philosophy behind the monster.


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April 2, 2019 2:46 pm

Fun, Food, and Frankenstein!

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Please join us for an evening of fun, food, and Frankenstein!  On April 8 from 6:30 to 7:50 PM, Yvonne Jocks and Madison Durapau will present “Young Monsters: Mary Shelley and Her Creations,” a discussion of the youth, rebellion, and passions that led to the creation of a classic character one dark and stormy night on the shores of Lake Geneva.

Mary Shelley was just 18 when she published her first and best-known work, “Frankenstein: Or, The Modern Prometheus.”  Mary’s teenage years were eventful; she absconded from her family home with the already-married poet Percy Bysshe Shelley when she was only 16, and her first child was born and died a few months later.  It was a challenge from the notorious Lord Byron that led Mary Shelley to create Dr. Frankenstein, also considered a young rebel.  This presentation will explore the impact of Lord Byron’s challenge, mad scientists, the undead, and even romantic vampires.

We will also host an opening reception and sneak preview for “Frankenstein: Penetrating the Secrets of Nature,” a traveling exhibition from the National Library of Medicine.

For more information about integrating Frankenstein into your classes, please see the exhibition website and the Frankenreads.org website. If you want to bring your class, please reserve space by contacting Tracey Minzenmayer at ext. 53388.


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March 25, 2019 9:50 am

Addiction: Documentary and Discussion

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On March 29 at 12:30 PM, the Judith J. Carrier Library will host a free public screening of Addiction, an episode of NOVA highlighting the deadliest drug epidemic in U.S. history.

In 2017 alone, more than 70,000 Americans are estimated to have died from drug overdoses, with the largest percentage of deaths attributed to opioid use.  Over the last few decades, prescriptions for opioids have risen dramatically, and the United States now faces an addiction epidemic as people are unable to stop using their prescribed painkillers.  “Addiction” follows several patients as they struggle with reestablishing their lives after using opioids.  The documentary also looks at doctors, psychologists, and neuroscientists as they investigate how drugs of abuse alter the brain and drive behavior.  These researchers are learning how drug problems can be effectively addressed with the development of evidence-based treatments and new medications and the rethinking of public policies.

John Malek-Ahmadi, TCC associate professor of sociology, will lead a discussion of “Addiction,” the opioid epidemic, and what it means for our community.  Please join us on March 29 at 12:30 PM in the Library Classroom, ESED 1212.


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