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. Please note, Saturday lectures meet in the smaller lecture hall and have limited space.

The lectures are 50 minutes and are all in the Williamson Theatre, except for the Saturday lecture, which meets in 1P-119. They meet on the following days/times: Wednesdays at 11:15am; on Thursdays at 8:00am, 10:10am, 4:40pm, and 6:30pm; 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 Thursday 4:40pm lecture will be playing “Corelandia” this semester.

The Lecture Series Schedule for the Week of Feb. 26, 2018:

Wednesday, Feb. 28:

-11:15am: “Emigration and Immigration: American Style,” presented by Annette Marks-Ellis

U.S. immigration is a complex and simple tale of diverse peoples who travel from far and near to begin a new life. Dubbed the “land of opportunity,” the United States has, for centuries, attracted millions of individuals from all parts of the globe. Yet, it has had periods when many were not welcomed or accepted as eagerly as we have been led to believe. The current debate on immigration—legal and illegal—is not a new conversation. This lecture will engage students in discussing the reasons why immigrants come to this country and why Americans are leaving to reside in other regions of the world. The complexity of welcoming, assimilating, tolerating, and appreciating the plethora of cultures arriving on U.S. shores will be assessed.

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.

– Thursday, Mar. 1:

8:00 and 10:10am:  “Jefferson vs. Hamilton,” presented (and performed) by John Lentine and Victor Miller

When we look back on the struggles facing the U.S. in the 18th century, no two Founding Fathers had more influence on how the young nation should function more than Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. Not only did their writings and rhetoric shape the early Republic, but their debates and ideals have maintained their truth and resonance to this day. Professors Lentine and Miller will play the roles of Jefferson and Hamilton, respectively, and attempt to recreate the debate between the two on the proper direction of the Republic, from the prospective of the past and its application to the contemporary U.S. The lecture will include the following arguments: Articles of Confederation, Federalist/Anti-Federalist, direct democracy, the U.S. economy, and individual liberties.

John Lentine earned a BS in Public Policy and an MPA in Public Administration from Pennsylvania State University, Capital College. 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 for the Center for Advising and Academic Success and teaches Core 100 at the College of Staten Island. Recently, he served as a member of the Core 100 Textbook Editing Committee that produced the most recent edition of the Core text.

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. Victor 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.

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

Last week in Corelandia: Political factions began the debate on the formation of the Corelandian government. Each faction discussed their ideas with all of Corelandia, and the Indeterminates asked the tough questions to see where their faction stands. Indeterminates are still persuadable to other factions’ ideas. So persuade, persuade, persuade.

This week in Corelandia: Corelandians are continuing to live in a Lockean State of Nature. There are no granaries to store the grain and the mill is still broken. Unfortunately, there is so much strife between the factions, Corelandians have stopped working and have taken to protecting themselves from one another. Recently, sporadic violence has broken out spreading fear and mistrust. An agreement has been reached that all Corelandians will meet in an assembly and continue attempting to form a government in order restore order.

What type of government will they form? Who will build the granaries and fix the mill? Stay tuned this Thursday at 4:40pm.

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. Victor 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 Debate on What to Do with Suspected Terrorists,” presented by Robert Young

There will be a discussion of the alternatives on how best to deal with suspected terrorists, specifically if a military tribunal or standard federal civilian court can best bring justice.

Dr. Robert Young earned a BA from St. John’s University, an MA from Brooklyn College, and a PhD from The Graduate Center, CUNY.  An Army veteran, he is the author of two books and seven articles, and has been a member of the CSI faculty since 1998.