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 (no permission needed) and can have as many as two additional classes at each of the lectures. Permission is not necessary for classes to attend, but please notify Donna Scimeca at 718.982.3405 if you plan to bring a class.
The lectures are 50 minutes in length and are all in the Williamson Theatre. They meet on the following days/times: Wednesdays at 12:20pm and 3:35pm, and on Thursdays at 8:00am, 10:10am, 4:40pm, and 6:30pm.
In the fall, the Saturday 10:10am lectures are held in the Williamson Theatre, but due to space limitations, we unfortunately cannot accommodate additional classes.
The Lecture Series schedule for the Week of April 11, 2016 is as follows:
Wednesday, Apr.13:
-12:20pm: “Understanding Modern Economics,” presented by Robert Grosso
Because of the harsh barrier of entry seen when discussing economics, this lecture will strive to provide a fair base on several key elements found in modern-day economic talks, including discussions on GDP, taxes, supply and demand, and bank investments.
Professor Robert A. Grosso is an Adjunct teaching for Core 100 for one full semester now. He has previously worked as in the NYC DOE as a paraprofessional and substitute teacher, before going on to teach college lectures at Union County College in Elizabeth, NJ, and the College of Staten Island.
Thursday, Apr. 14:
-8:00am and 10:00am: “The Economy and the Government’s Role: Part 1 – The Great Depression,” presented by John Lentine
This lecture will commence by explaining the economic theories of the three critical economic philosophers: Smith, Marx, and Rand. It then examines the historical economic philosophies of the United States from Colonial times to World War II. This lecture will cover government intervention in the economy, or the lack thereof, during the Gilded Age and the Pre-War Era.
John Lentine graduated from the Pennsylvania State University, Capital College, with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy and a Master’s degree 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 the College of Staten Island. Recently, with many of his esteemed colleagues, he has also served on the CORE 100 textbook editing committee.
4:40pm: “The Great Recession,” presented by Joseph Frusci
The Great Recession of the late 2000s has been the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. This lecture will examine the similarities and differences between the Great Depression and the Great Recession of 2008 by understanding the actions of the U.S. government and Federal Reserve during a deflationary economy.
Joseph Frusci is a prior-service Army National Guardsman who earned a BA and MA in History and is currently pursuing the Doctor of Education degree (EdD) at Northeastern University. He has been teaching with the Core program since 2012, and is the author of “2008 Bailout”, the newest Reacting to the Past game, which engages students in the complexities of the economic crisis of 2007-2008. He also teaches U.S. history and economics for the New York City Department of Education.
-6:30pm: “The 2008 Recession,” presented by Anthony Casella
The Great Recession, which officially lasted from December 2007 to June 2009, began with the bursting of an eight-trillion-dollar housing bubble. The resulting loss of wealth led to sharp cutbacks in consumer spending. This loss of consumption, combined with the financial market chaos triggered by the bursting of the bubble, also led to a collapse in business investment. As consumer spending and business investment dried up, massive job loss followed. In 2008 and 2009, the U.S. labor market lost 8.4 million jobs, or 6.1% of all payroll employment.
Professor Casella has been a member of the Core 100 faculty since 2009. He received both a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Master of Science in Education from St. John’s University. Professor Casella also received a Master’s in Administration and Supervision from CSI/CUNY. He currently is an Assistant Principal at PS 25R South Richmond HS in Staten Island.
