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, Apr. 24, 2017:

Wednesday, Apr. 26:

-12:20pm: “Road to 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.

Thursday, Apr. 27:

-8:00am: “Reflecting in the Economic Mirror a Retrospective on the New Deal and Great Depression,” presented by Niles French

This presentation examines the causes of the Great Depression and the role of government in a capitalistic society, while looking at the current relationship between the public and private sectors. Additionally, the different types of economic systems will be examined, as well as their impact on the global economy.

Niles French is a project manager for the SIEDC, coordinating several areas on Staten Island. Before joining the SIEDC, he oversaw Grants and Development for Historic Richmond Town. During his four-and-a-half-year tenure, he secured more than $900,000 in grant funding, and assisted in securing more than $5 million in capital support. Niles also helped increase sponsorship, community outreach, and managed several successful fundraising campaigns, including the roof restoration of Staten Island’s oldest home, the Billiou-Stillwell-Perine House. He assisted in developing advertising, marketing strategies, snd new educational programs, as well as advancing signature events like the All American Drive-In and Jazz at the Tavern. Currently, Niles is an Adjunct Professor at the College of Staten Island (CUNY), where he teaches in the History department, primarily in the Core program and American Studies.

10:10am: “United States Labor Unions: Past, Present, and Future” presented by Michael Batson

From their beginnings in the rapidly developing early Republic to their zenith in the late 1950s and early 1960s, labor unions played a key role in creating a vibrant middle class. Too often, this process was exclusionary, with women and minorities prevented from joining. Since the mid-1960s, unions have seen their membership decline, and as a consequence, they have lost considerable political clout. The past 40 years has seen several laws passed making the work of union building, organizing, and mobilization much more difficult. One cannot fully understand the United States without understanding the history of the labor movement. This lecture will look at the historical and current arguments for and against unions.

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: Song Da was granted clemency and released from prison. President Terrible appointed his Vice President, Secretary of Agriculture, and Secretary of the Exterior. President Terrible appointed three Corelandians to the Supreme Court. The legislature failed to resolve whether the El Azul will be enslaved and what their legal status in Corelandia will be. The mills have been broken again. The newly appointed Secretary of Agriculture and the Buttresses need to fix the problem. Finally, a great mystery was revealed through a guest speaker to all Corelandians, the Galatian Ambassador proposed a thoughtful trade agreement.

This week in Corelandia: The legislator will finally resolve the issue of the El Azul with legislation either enslaving or granting them freedom and asylum in Corelandia. Since the mills are broken, the Secretary of Agriculture and the Buttresses need to fix and fortify them. The proposal from the Galatian Ambassador needs to be considered, debated, amended, and or accepted.

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 Great Depression,” presented by Anthony Casella

The stock market crash of October 1929 brought the economic prosperity of the 1920s to a symbolic end. For the next ten years, the United States was mired in a deep economic depression. This lecture will examine why the seemingly boundless prosperity of the 1920s ended so suddenly and why the Depression lasted as long as it did. This lecture will take a look at the Depression’s human toll and the policies adopted to combat the crisis.

Anthony Casella has been a member of the Core 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. He is currently an Assistant Principal at PS 25R South Richmond HS in Staten Island.

Saturday Apr. 29:

-10:10am: “Social/Economic Inequality,” 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.