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 12:20pm; on Thursdays at 8:00am, 10:10am, and 6:30pm; and on Saturdays at 10:10am.

The Lecture Series Schedule for Week of Mar. 13, 2017:

Wednesday, Mar. 15:

-12:20pm: “From the Slave’s Hut to the White House,” presented by Annette Marks-Ellis

This presentation will provide a brief chronicle of the African American experience in America over the past four centuries. The journey of monumental changes includes the African American role of indentured servant, slave, freedmen, colored, Negro, Afro-American, and African American. The question is: Why have African Americans undergone so many monikers while other citizens have been limited to one or two names? This query and others will be analyzed.

Annette Marks-Ellis earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Columbia University. She has been at CSI and teaching Core 100 since 1999. She is one of the authors of the Core textbook and has published several articles on African American history, women’s issues, and Caribbean culture.

Thursday, Mar. 16:

-8:00am:” The Second Phase of American Abolition,” presented by Steven Kaufman

This lecture will look at the changes in the abolitionist movement from the 1740s to the 1860s, which paved the way for the Emancipation Proclamation.

Steven Kaufman graduated magna cum laude with both a BA and an M. in History from CSI. From July 2009 until July 2016, Professor Kaufman 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. Professor Kaufman 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.

-10:10am: “Abolition Movement and the Underground Railroad,” presented by John Comfort

This lecture will discuss major abolitionists and the Underground Railroad, and the issues that faced slaves when considering escape: where would they go, what will become of their families. Also, the impact of the Fugitive Slave Act on the Underground Railroad will be discussed.

John Comfort earned his MA in History from the College of Staten Island in 2003 and has taught classes at CSI in the Core Program and also the American Studies program since 2006.

-4:40pm: “Corelandia,” presented by Victor Miller and Vincent DePaolo

Last week in Corelandia: There are no granaries to store the grain and the mill is broken. Unfortunately, there was so much strife between the factions, Corelandians stopped working and had taken to protecting themselves from one another. Sporadic violence had broken out, spreading fear and mistrust. An agreement was reached that all Corelandians would meet in an assembly and continue attempting to form a government in order restore order.

This week in Corelandia: Corelandians have voted in a Progressive government. How will this government function? There are still no granaries to store grain and the mill is still broken. How will the newly installed government tackle this issue? How will they quell the sporadic violence? How will they deal with other issues like labor? Stay tuned this Thursday at 4:40pm.

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 for the Center for Advising and Academic Success. Professor Miller is the of author of the “Summer of ’87” Reacting to the Past classroom simulation and also recently served on the Core 100 textbook editing committee.

Vincent DePaolo previously was an Adjunct Instructor at Long Island University-Brooklyn Campus in the History Department teaching introductory World History Survey courses. He received his BA in History and MS in Social Science with a concentration in History and Advanced Graduate Certificate in United Nation Studies at Long Island University-Brooklyn Campus. He has also received his MSeD in Secondary Social Studies from the College of Staten Island/CUNY.

-6:30pm: “Reconstruction,” presented by Anthony Casella

This lecture will focus on Reconstruction, the period (1865–1877) that followed the U.S. Civil War. It will examine the attempts made to redress the inequities of slavery and its political, social, and economic legacy and to solve the problems arising from the readmission to the Union of the 11 states that had seceded at or before the outbreak of war.

Anthony Casella has been a member of the COR faculty since 2009.  He received both a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Master’s of Science in Education from St. John’s University. Professor Casella also received a Master’s in Administration and Supervision from CSI/CUNY. Professor Casella currently is an Assistant Principal at PS 25R South Richmond HS in Staten Island.

Saturday, Mar. 18:

-10:10am: “Civil Rights,” presented by Peter Ronalds

Peter Ronalds is a Doctor of Arts  in Modern World History, St. John’s University, 1998. He has been teaching Core 100 and history classes since 1998.