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 Oct. 30, 2017

Wednesday, Nov. 1:

-1:25pm: “U.S. Healthcare Reform,” presented by Arthur Cacace

This lecture will discuss the role that the Federal Government has played in attempting to achieve healthcare for all Americans. In particular, it will explore the history of government healthcare from its beginning in the early 1900s, and include a discussion of F.D.R.’s Economic Bill of Rights, Truman’s Fair Deal, L.B.J’s Great Society, Bill Clinton, G.W. Bush, and the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). Additionally, the lecture will present a comparison between Obamacare and Trumpcare in light of the attempt to either repeal or revise the Affordable Care Act.

Arthur Cacace earned his MS in Social Studies Secondary Education from the College of Staten Island. He has taught history in the NYC Public School System and has been an Adjunct Professor for Core 100 at CSI since 2008.

-3:35pm: “The Role of Government in U.S. Corporate Interests Abroad,” presented by Richard Kotula

This lecture will provide a cursory overview of government intervention for and protection of U.S. interests abroad. The lecture will seek to engage the audience in a discourse on government responsibilities to U.S. interests and to what extent a government should intervene.

Richard Kotula been a member of the CSI community since 2002. From that time to the present, he has completed: a BA in Psychology, a BA in History, and an MA in History. He joined the Core 100 family in 2014 and is currently the acting coordinator of the Remedial Math Program. He has also worked as a licensed stock broker, commodities broker, and a financial advisor.

Thursday, Nov. 2:

-8:00am: “The Significance of Staten Island’s Demographics,” presented by Victor Miller and Students

Students will present the research that they have been conducting this semester for Core 100’s Civic Engagement pilot project. The research includes census statistics and demographics conducted nationwide, in NYC, and ultimately focusing on Staten Island. The research depicts different racial, religious, ethnic, and socioeconomic demographics on Staten Island. These statistics are being used to elicit discussions as to what the numbers mean and what they say about Staten Island and NYC as a whole.

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 Advising and Academic Success. He 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.

-10:10am: “LGBTQ Rights Today,” presented by Jeremiah Jurkiewicz

LGBTQ Americans are undoubtedly more respected than in years previous, but what are the issues and struggles still affecting the community across the country? In this presentation, we will explore what is happening nationwide and what the impact is on the LGBTQ community.

Jeremiah Jurkiewicz is the Coordinator of the LGBTQ Resource Center, part of the Office of Student Life. Jeremiah is a graduate of the College of Staten Island ’12 with a degree in Dramatic Arts and a minor in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. He has been in his current position at the College for four years and received a Dolphin Award for his commitment to the campus and its students.

-4:40pm and 6:30pm: “Cybersecurity and Civil Rights,” presented by Joseph Frusci

In the post-9/11 world, we have seen the rise of new threats to the safety and security of the United States. This week, we will investigate the growing cybersecurity threats that face the United States, as well as how cyber offensive and defensive measures have expanded into the actions of U.S. intelligence agencies potentially violating the Fourth Amendment rights of its citizens.

Joseph Frusci is a prior-service Army National Guardsman who earned a BA and MA in History. He is currently all but dissertation “ABD” in the Doctor of Education program (EdD) at Northeastern University. Joseph has been teaching with the Core program since 2012, and is the author of “2008 Bailout,” a Reacting to the Past game, which engages students in the complexities of the economic crisis of 2007-2008. He also teaches U.S history, government, and economics for the New York City Department of Education at Staten Island Technical High School.

Saturday, Nov. 4

-10:10pm: “Path to the Great Depression,” presented by John Lentine

This lecture will examine the historical economic philosophies of the United States from colonial times to World War II. It will discuss government regulation in the economy through the lens of history, specifically during the Gilded Age and the Pre-War Era.

John Lentine graduated from the Pennsylvania State University – Capital College, with a BS in Public Policy and an 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 the College of Staten Island. Recently, with many of his esteemed colleagues, he has served on the Core 100 textbook editing committee.