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. 27, 2017
Wednesday, Nov. 29:
-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 has 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: “The New Deal,” presented by John Comfort
This lecture will discuss FDR’s New Deal and examine some of the programs that still affect the lives of individuals in this country today.
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.
Thursday, Nov. 30:
-8:00am and 10:10am: “Flags and Knees,” presented by Richard Gid Powers
The flag is a symbol. What does it symbolize? Professor Powers will explore the current controversy over the National Anthem at NFL games that has focused on Colin Kaepernick’s “taking the knee” and President Trump’s response. His lecture will provide the historical context for this dispute from the origins of the use of the National Anthem at baseball and football games, patriotic ceremonies in foreign countries before sporting events, and how race in the U.S. has, at critical moments, politicized the flag and the Anthem.
Richard Gid Powers is a Professor of History at CSI, and was a debater in high school and college.
-4:40pm and 6:30pm: “The Evolution of our American Healthcare System,” presented by Anthony Casella
This lecture will take a look at the evolution of our healthcare system and analyzes how well it provides healthcare to our citizens. In addition, Professor Casella will examine the Affordable Healthcare Act’s financial cost and how that cost impacts our economy. Also, the lecture will discuss the Affordable Healthcare Act’s pros and cons. Finally, Professor Casella will engage the audience to compare a market-driven healthcare system to that of a socialized healthcare system.
Anthony Casella has been a member of the Core faculty since 2009. He received both a BA in History and an MS in Education from St. John’s University. Professor Casella also received an MA in Administration and Supervision from CSI/CUNY. He is currently an Assistant Principal at PS 25R South Richmond HS on Staten Island.
Saturday, Dec. 2:
-10:10am: :”Economics: Then and Now,” presented by Niles French
Professor French will explore the legacy of the Great Depression and the impact of the government in private business, in addition to events like Occupy Wall Street that address the fundamental question: What should the role of government be in economics? He will also cover the various forms of economic systems and the current fiscal climate on economics.
Niles French has been with the Core faculty since 2011 and also teaches in the American Studies Department at the College of Staten Island. He also heads Grants and Development at Historic Richmond Town, bringing in more than $800,000 in funding and $5M in City capital funding since 2012. Additionally, Mr. French is a published author and holds a BA and MA in History from the College of Staten Island.
