The Core 100 program invites students and faculty from the College to join us for our weekly lecture series. Each week, all of the first-year students participate in lecture-discussions with about 400 of their classmates. We have space in the Center for the Arts (Building 1P) Williamson Theatre to accommodate individual guests and can have as many as two additional classes at each of the lectures. No permission is needed for classes to attend, but please notify Donna Scimeca (718.982.3405) if you plan to bring a class.

The lectures are 50 minutes and are all in the Williamson Theatre. They meet on the following days/times: Wednesdays at 1:25pm and 3:35pm; on Thursdays at 8:00am, 10:10am, 4:40pm, and 6:30pm; and on Saturdays at 10:10am.

The focus of the Core Lecture Series, this semester, will be to directly link the program’s curriculum to current events.

The Lecture Series Schedule for the Week of Sept. 11, 2017

Wednesday Sept. 13:

-1:25pm: “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA),” presented by Deborah DeSimone

This week’s lecture will look at DACA [Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals] and executive orders.

Deborah DeSimone is an Associate Professor of Education in the School of Education at CSI. She has been on the CSI faculty since 1993 and was a member of the cadre of professors who designed and first implement Core 100. Her specialty areas are social studies education and U.S. History. Professor DeSimone’s undergraduate degree is from Brown University and her graduate degrees are from Columbia University Teachers’ College.

-3:35pm: “Executive Orders,” presented by Steven Kaufman

This lecture will look at the concept, legality, and history of executive orders from Washington to Trump and will examine some of the major orders issued in U.S. history.

Steven Kaufman graduated magna cum laude with both a BA and an MA in History from CSI. From July 2009 through July 2016, he tutored in the Office of Academic Support, specializing in Core. Since fall 2015, Professor Kaufman has been a tutor for the SEEK Program, specializing in Core, as well as leading weekly study groups for all SEEK students enrolled in Core 100. He taught five Tutor Intensive groups during Winter and Summer Immersions, between January 2015 and January 2016, and also taught a course in the Immersion Program during July 2016. Professor Kaufman has been teaching Core since Spring 2016.

Thursday, Sept. 14:

-8:00am: “Hamilton vs. Jefferson,” presented by Victor Miller and John Lentine

When we look back on the struggles facing the U.S. in the 18th century, no two Founding Fathers had more influential, or polar opposite, opinions as to how the young nation should function than Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. Not only did their writings and rhetoric shape the early Republic, their debates and ideals have maintained their truth and resonance to this day. Both Professors Lentine and Miller will play the roles of Jefferson and Hamilton, respectively, and attempt to recreate the debate between these two Founders on the proper direction of the Republic, in their present and in the future. Many topics will be discussed, including, but not limited to, the Articles of Confederation, Federalist/Anti-Federalist, direct democracy, the U.S. economy, and individual liberties. In addition, this debate will apply each argument to the modern U.S., in order to identify whether the vision of the Founders has been realized.

Victor Miller earned a BA in History at the College of Staten Island in 2005 and an MS in Adolescent Education in 2008. He has been an adjunct of Core 100 since February 2012 and currently also works in the Center for Academic Assistance. Victor is the  author of the “Summer of ’87” Reacting to the Past classroom simulation and also recently served on the Core 100 textbook editing committee.

John Lentine graduated from the Pennsylvania State University, Capital College, with a BS in Public Policy and a MPA in Public Administration. Studying just outside the State Capitol, he had the distinct honor of working for two of Pennsylvania’s State Representatives. Upon his return to Staten Island, he worked on a City Council campaign management team. He currently works in the Center for Advising and Academic Success and teaches Core 100 at CSI. Recently, with many of his esteemed colleagues, he has served on the Core 100 textbook editing committee.

-10:10am: “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Congressional Power,” presented by Peter Galati

This lecture will discuss the Constitutional power entrusted to Congress and how the Legislative Branch has or has not fulfilled its governing role with regard to immigration. The lecture will briefly examine the history of immigration in the United States since the 1965 Immigration Act, signed by President Lyndon Johnson. Finally, the lecture will explore the current controversy surrounding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which is symptomatic of Congressional inaction.

Peter Galati received his BA in Political Science from Stockton University. He earned an MA in History at the College of Staten Island. In the summer of 2016, Professor Galati joined the Core faculty and also became the Assistant to the Core 100 Program. Professor Galati also teaches in the English Department and is a member of the Immersion Program faculty.

-4:40pm: “The Role of Government When Disaster Strikes,” presented by Donna Scimeca

When a disaster hits, like Hurricane Irma did recently, what role do the local, state, and federal governments play in preparing for and dealing with the devastating aftermath? What types of assistance are provided, and by which agencies, once the President declares a state of disaster? What does disaster relief look like?

Donna Scimeca is the Coordinator of the Core Program and Learning Communities, and has been teaching Core 100 since 2003. She has earned an associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degree, all from the College of Staten Island.

-6:30pm: “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA),” presented by Michael Matthews

The Trump Administration recently announced that it will end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA) putting an expiration date on the legal protections granted to roughly 800,000 people known as “DREAMers,” who entered the country illegally as children. This lecture will examine the executive order establishing DACA, signed by President Obama; President Trump’s recent repeal, which overturned the Executive Order; and the responsibility now in the hands of Congress to find a legislative solution.

Michael Matthews earned both his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees at Brooklyn College/CUNY. He also has a Master in Business Administration (Finance) from Fordham University.

Saturday, Sept. 16:

-10:10am: “Constitutional Law,” presented by Peter Ronalds

This lecture will begin with a short history of the issue of constitutional law in United States government from ratification to the present. It will examine how the United States Supreme Court has historically viewed the subject. Then, it will compare and contrast how the two political parties influence the United States Supreme Court.

Peter Ronalds received his Doctor of Arts in Modern World History from St. John’s University in 1998. He has been teaching Core 100 and history classes since 1998.1