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 the Week of Monday, Mar. 27, 2017:

Wednesday, Mar. 29:

-12:20pm: “How the Emancipation Proclamation Determined the Fate of America,” presented by Deborah DeSimone

This lecture is based on the work of the renowned historian Eric Foner and his analysis of the centrality of the Emancipation Proclamation in defining the nature of U.S. society. This lecture gives a brief history of the Emancipation movement, with particular interest to the views of A. Lincoln and why they changed over time. Special attention is given to analyzing the text of the Emancipation Proclamation in order to recognize the truly unique aspects of this historic document.

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. Her undergraduate degree is from Brown University and her graduate degrees are from Columbia University Teachers’ College.

Thursday, 3/30:

-8:00am: “The Faces of Civil Rights,” presented by Annette Marks-Ellis

When individuals think about the term “civil rights,” they usually conjure the image of the African American struggle. However, the fight to attain and maintain civil rights is not exclusive to the African American. The civil rights movement in the last four decades has extended to all women of  color, the LGBTQ community, Asian Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, immigrants, the physically and mentally challenged, the poor, and the disenfranchised. This discussion will provide a bird’s eye view of the goals, challenges, and successes achieved of diverse groups residing in the United States.

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.

-10:10am: “The Honeymoon That Changed the World,” presented by Michael Batson

This lecture will explore the origins of the Women’s Rights movement in the United States and the long struggle to achieve a Constitutional Amendment granting women the right to vote. The presentation will begin with Elizabeth Cady-Stanton’s experiences at the first World Anti-Slavery Convention in London in 1840, where she and her new husband, Henry B. Stanton, had decided to spend their honeymoon, and end 80 years later with the ratification of the 19th Amendment granting women across the country the right to vote. This year, this presentation has particular relevance as we are approaching the 100th anniversary of women winning the right to vote in New York State, three years prior to the 19th Amendment.

Michael Batson has been a lecturer at the College of Staten Island since 2000. He teaches History; CORE 100; and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. He earned his Master’s degree in Liberal Studies. Professor Batson specializes in labor and social history (the history of ordinary people and historically marginalized groups).

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

Last week in Corelandia: Corelandians successfully seated 18 Senators and elected a Senate leader in their unicameral legislature. The nominees for President of Corelandia were announced. Additionally, the legislature continued to debate whether the El Azul should be enslaved or be freed. A speech was given by Song Da, a lawmaker from the Indeterminate Warriors, defending the enslavement of the El Azul.

This week in Corelandia: A large majority of Senators have been infected by Song Da with El Azul blood. What will happen with them? The Corelandian Presidential election will be held this week. Who will become the Corelandian President, be appointed Vice President, and staff other key cabinet positions? Additionally, the legislature will continue to reconcile whether the El Azul will be enslaved. Can the legislature finally pass legislation now that a simple majority will only be needed? Stay tuned this Thursday at 4:40pm to find out.

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: “The GI Bill,” presented by Donna Scimeca

This lecture discusses the creation of the GI Bill, and its tremendous impact on the economic recovery and society of the post-WWII U.S.

Donna Scimeca is the Coordinator of the Core 100 Program and Learning Communities, and has earned an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, and Master’s degree from the College of Staten Island.

Saturday, Apr. 1:

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

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