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Anthropology

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Environmental Studies [Formerly Human Ecology]

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Human Services

  • National Organization for Human Services https://www.nationalhumanservices.org
  • Human Service Forum https://www.humanserviceforum.org/
  • Massachusetts Bureau of Substance Addiction Services https://www.mass.gov/orgs/bureau-of-substance-addiction-services
  • Careers of Substance https://careersofsubstance.org

Political Science

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Psychology

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Gender and Women's Studies

  • Sophia Smith Collection at Smith College
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Social Sciences @ GCC

Dr. Brian Kapitulik, Department Chair
775-1144 E116K kapitulikb@gcc.mass.edu

Upcoming Events

Shuffle – RESCHEDULED GCC event

Shuffle – RESCHEDULED

Monday March 30 - 6:00pm

Greenfield Garden Cinemas

Rescheduled from the February storm! Join us for a screening and discussion of the award-winning documentary Shuffle. Shot over three years, the film follows three individuals whose lives depend not on entering treatment, but on getting out alive. The film exposes a growing, insurance-driven cycle of addiction treatment fraud sweeping the country. Drawing on his own experience, the filmmaker weaves personal stories into a wider investigation. With insight from an FBI informant, an insurance analyst and the former executive director of a Philadelphia treatment facility, Shuffle reveals a web of public policy and private interests exploiting vulnerable people for profit. Featuring a talk-back with the filmmakers via Zoom directly following the film. Free and open to the public—but guests are encouraged to buy concessions! RSVP requested. [gravityform id="93" title="false" description="false"]

Bridging Generations: A Civic Engagement Conference GCC event

Bridging Generations: A Civic Engagement Conference

Friday April 10 - 10:00am

Dining Commons

[lead]An intergenerational conference bringing students, community members and local leaders together for a half-day event exploring how the defining moments of our times—from Woodstock to TikTok—have shaped our worldviews and civic life.[/lead] Through a panel discussion in the morning, guided lunch conversations and interactive workshops on dialogue around difference, religion and politics, empathy and media literacy, participants will practice the skills of listening, curiosity and respectful engagement. Together, we’ll explore how rural communities can strengthen connection and civic trust across generations. Free for students, $10 suggested donation for community members. Join for the day or any part of it. RSVP requested! [su_accordion][su_spoiler title="Conference Schedule" open="yes" style="default" anchor="" class=""]

  • 10-10:30 a.m. • Registration
  • 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. • Panel Discussion
  • 12-1 p.m. • Lunch
  • 1-2 p.m. • Workshops
[/su_spoiler] [su_spoiler title="Panel and Workshop Descriptions" open="no" style="default" anchor="" class=""] From Woodstock to TikTok: How History Shapes Our Worldviews: An Intergenerational Panel Discussion How have the defining moments of our times, from the moon landing to social media movements, shaped how we see the world and our place in it? Join students, community members and local leaders from diverse generations to explore the political and cultural turning points that formed our worldviews and consider how curiosity, listening, and shared purpose can help us build a stronger, more connected county. Yes, We Should Talk About Religion and Politics: Tools for Brave, Respectful Conversations in a Divided Time Linda McCarthy and Judy Raper Many of us were taught to avoid conversations about religion and politics, but avoiding them hasn’t brought us closer together. In a time of deep polarization, the challenge isn’t what we believe, but how we talk about what matters most. This interactive, one-hour workshop focuses on practical strategies for engaging in respectful, curious conversations across difference. Drawing on ideas from I Never Thought of It That Way and other civic dialogue practices, participants will reflect on how generational experiences shape beliefs and values, and practice tools for listening, asking better questions, and staying connected even when agreement isn’t possible. Dr. McCarthy has a doctoral degree in Social Justice Education, and has taught at GCC since 2004. Dr. McCarthy teaches a range of sociology courses including Social Inequality, and her classes emphasize the connections between contemporary social issues and core sociological concepts, encouraging students to think critically about the world around them. Dr. Raper has worked at GCC for over 18 years, and currently serves as the Associate Dean for Community Engagement.  She has nearly 40 years of experience in higher education, primarily working in student affairs. She wrote her dissertation on the importance of engaging college students in conversations about religion and spirituality. Media Literacy: Strategies for Finding Solid Information Online Claire Lodbell In this workshop, we'll discuss our news consumption, including how filter bubbles and confirmation bias influence the news we see and believe. We'll discuss strategies for identifying AI slop and practice a strategy for evaluating information sources and verifying or debunking claims that we come across. Claire Lobdell has worked at GCC for 9 years as a reference and instruction librarian and archivist. Some of her research interests include digital privacy, teaching with primary sources, and oral history. Prior to GCC, she worked at Amherst College, The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, and Bunker Hill Community College, among others. In 2017, she published South Windsor, an installment in the Images of America book series. She has an MSLIS from Simmons College and a BA in history from Cornell University. Building Empathy for Real-World Change Meckenzie Sarage and Leilani Aires Empathy isn’t just something you’re born with—it’s something you can build. In this interactive workshop, participants will explore empathy as a skill rather than a fixed trait. Drawing on research from Jamil Zaki and his book The War for Kindness, we’ll examine how empathy can be strengthened through intentional practice. Through guided activities and small-group conversations, participants will practice empathy-centered dialogue and consider how empathy can serve as a tool for social change, community engagement, and political conversations. Together, we’ll explore realistic ways to apply these ideas in everyday life—on campus, online, and in our communities. Meckenzie Sarage was born and raised in Franklin County. She graduated from Boston University in 2025 with a BA in International Relations and Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights Studies. She now works as an adjunct faculty member at Northfield Mount Hermon. Leilani Aires is a second-year student at GCC studying the social sciences. She graduated from Northfield Mount Hermon in 2024 and will transfer to a 4-year university after this semester, where she plans to study international relations. She currently serves as the Student Senate President and is the founder and president of GCC’s Latine Student Association. [/su_spoiler] [/su_accordion] [gravityform id="97" title="false" description="false"]

Mass Incarceration from Inside GCC event

Mass Incarceration from Inside

Tuesday April 21 - 3:00pm

What specific American factors contribute to so many people being locked up in "the land of the free?" Is crime simply worse in America than in other countries—and if so, why? How can American society shift its values and practices to decrease crime and the incidence of incarceration? And can some of that transformative work be effectively done in carceral settings? Master's student Kylee Monkiewicz presents "The Land of the Free? Teaching and Learning About Mass Incarceration from Inside," a reflection on personal and social accountability, the two million lives on hold in American jails and prisons and the worthy human effort toward perfecting one's self in an imperfect world. Monkiewicz studies education and social Justice and equity at Boston University and teaches History of Incareration in America at the Franklin County Jail and House of Correction. Refreshments provided. RSVP requested. [gravityform id="93" title="false" description="false"]

Student Symposium GCC event

Student Symposium

Thursday May 7 - 3:00pm

Library

The GCC Student Symposium celebrates outstanding achievements in research, professional development and creative expression. Participants showcase capstone projects from participating courses, as well as independent projects undertaken in any GCC class, internship or clinical/off-site placement. We welcome a diverse array of creative projects—including writing, studio arts, musical performance and drama, all contributing to a vibrant showcase of student talent. Learn more and sign up to participate at gcc.mass.edu/library. Stop in at any time and see what our amazing students have been up to!

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