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 Nov. 13, 2017

Wednesday, Nov. 15:

-1:25pm: “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, BA in History, and an MA in History. He joined the Core 100 family in 2014 and currently is the acting coordinator of the remedial math program. He has also worked as a licensed: stock broker, commodities broker, and a financial advisor.

-3:35pm: “Contemporary Anti-Semitism in Our Society,” presented by Steven Kaufman

Steven Kaufman has invited Amy Posner, the Executive Director of Hillel, to discuss the rise of anti-Semitic incidents. Swastikas painted on synagogues and in cemeteries. Schoolchildren harassed with anti-Semitic slurs. Bomb threats called in to Jewish institutions. White supremacists marching in the streets and chanting “Jews will not replace us.” The Anti-Defamation League’s newly released report confirms what all of us perceived: that incidents like these are proliferating.

Amy Posner has served as Executive Director of Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life at CSI since 2007, and has been building community through youth serving organizations for more than 25 years. Amy holds a BS in Recreation from the University of Maryland and an MA in Jewish Education from the Davidson School of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, as well as a Certificate in Non-Profit Management from the University of Wisconsin.

Steven Kaufman graduated magna cum laude with both a BA and an MA in History from CSI. From July 2009 through 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.

Thursday, Nov. 16:

-8:00am and 10:10am: “The Modern Economy and the Road to Dodd-Frank,” presented by John Lentine

This lecture starts by examining the economic policies of the United States from the Great Depression to the Great Recession. The lecture will ultimately analyze the causes of the Great Recession and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act that arose as a result.

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.

-4:40pm: “Tax Reform,” presented by Joseph Frusci

This week’s lecture will examine the GOP tax reform plan, supported by President Trump, by tracking contemporary fiscal policy from previous presidents. To address this, we will take a look at what fiscal policy is, and how it comes together, as well as how it affects all Americans.

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.

-6:30pm: “Free Trade and U.S. Labor,” presented by Vincent DePaolo and Peter Galati

One of the biggest domestic policy issues in the United States is trade. This lecture will explore how free trade has been a force for good in the U.S. economy and how it also has negatively affected the industrial blue collar workforce in the US. In addition, we will examine how President Trump is dealing with trade and how withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) will impact the United States.

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.

Peter Galati received his BA in Political Science from Stockton University. He earned an MA in History at the College of Staten Island. In the summer of 2016, Professor Galati joined the Core faculty and also became the Assistant to the Core 100 Program. Professor Galati also teaches in the English Department and is a member of the Immersion Program faculty.

Saturday, Nov. 18:

-10:10am: “The Modern Economy and the Road to Dodd-Frank, presented by John Lentine

See the Thursday, Nov. 16 8:00am and 10:10am lecture description.