The 1960s were a half-century ago, and yet that tumultuous decade of American history continues to fascinate and divide us today. The course explores the highs and lows of the decade and gives students the opportunity to find how the legacies of the movements against war and for civil rights, women’s rights, and gay rights — as well a more inclusive definition of what constitutes a democracy — continue to resonate today.
Meet Your Professor
Department Chair of Multimedia Communication, Professor of Multimedia Communication
I’m the chair of Communication & Media Studies at Simpson College, and I’ve been a member of the faculty since 1989. I’m a teacher first and foremost and have won several campuses, regional, and national teaching awards. Before coming to Simpson, I was a government and politics reporter with the Ames Daily Tribune and the Associated Press. I’m a passionate believer in the values of the First Amendment and the potential for journalism to nourish a democratic culture. When I’m not working with students at Simpson, you’ll usually find me on my bicycle, on the golf course or traveling around the world. During Fall 2013, I led Simpson’s Semester in London program at Roehampton University. Starting in January 2014, I’ll serve as editor of the national research journal Teaching Journalism & Mass Communication.
Meet Your SC Leader
My name is Meghan Van Brogen and I will be your SC Leader for Professor Brian Steffen’s Simpson Colloquium class. I will be a senior in the 2018-2019 school year, and I will be graduating in December of 2018.
I am from Newton, Iowa which is about an hour northeast of Simpson. I graduated from Southeast Polk High School in 2015 where I was a varsity swimmer for three years. A little about me: I love the show Friends, hanging out with friends, and most importantly napping. I also enjoy reading, watching crime shows, and I love the Hawkeyes.
I am majoring in Public Relations with a minor in Business Management. After graduation I plan to either work as a company’s PR manager, or own my own event planning business. I was a part of the Simpson swim team my freshman year. I am currently the PR/Marketing Director of Simpson’s PRSSA chapter, which works with communications majors. Last May, I traveled to London for May Term, which helped to grow my love for travel and this May, I will be traveling to Belfast, Northern Ireland.
I am very excited to be your SC Leader and help you with the transition into college. I hope to help you come to love Simpson as much as I do. I can’t wait to meet you at SOAR.
Meet Your Writing Fellow
Soon!