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 Mar. 5, 2018:
Wednesday, Mar. 7:
-11:15am: “Fugitive Slave Laws/Sanctuary Cities: Abstract Elements of Freedom,” presented by William Fallon
This lecture will examine the Fugitive Slave Laws that the U.S. government enacted to perpetuate and sustain the institution of slavery in this country, and the unjust consequences faced by both runaway slaves and those who chose to aid/assist them. A correlation will then be drawn to the contemporary issue of Sanctuary Cities—their relevance and importance, as well as their defiance against the government’s seemingly unjust request at deportation of many immigrants, some here illegally. Students will have the chance to answer and even pose some questions, as these issues are at the forefront of our society today.
William Fallon has been an Adjunct Lecturer in CSI’s Core Program since 2015. He was awarded his MA in History from CSI in 2013. Additionally, in January 2018, Professor Fallon became the first student ever at CSI to be awarded a Certificate in Public History.
Thursday, Mar. 8:
-8:00am: “Gun Control,” presented by Edward Manganel
Once again, in the wake of the horror in Parkland, FL, Americans consider the gun control issue. What are the problems, what are the laws, and what can be done to prevent such tragedies? Do we blame the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the 2nd Amendment, our fumbling politicians on the right and left, or should we blame ourselves?
Edward Manganel received his BA fom Marist College and his MA from University of Colorado. He is former Chair of the Social Studies Department and APUS History teacher at Monsignor Farrell HS, teaching at CSI for 25 years and Core 100 for ten years.
-10:10am: “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 the U.S. 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.
-4:40pm: Corelandia, presented by Vincent DePaolo and Victor Miller
Last week in Corelandia: Corelandians continued to live in a Lockean State of Nature. There were no granaries to store the grain and the mill was broken. So much strife existed between the factions, that Corelandians stopped working and began protecting themselves from one another. Sporadic violence broke out, spreading fear and mistrust. An agreement was reached and all Corelandians met in an assembly and formed a government to restore order.
This week in Corelandia:Corelandian’s have voted in a Communist government “The Pentarch.” Now the government must function. There are still no granaries to store grain and the mill remains broken. How will the newly installed government tackle this issue? Will the Nationalists, Lockeans, and Farmers join the Corelandian State Party or be exiled? How will each Comrade in charge of Agriculture & Infrastructure, Defense & Foreign Affairs, Homeland Security & the Secret Police (KCGB), and Treasury & Commerce create their five-year plans to deal with the pertinent domestic and foreign policy issues at hand?
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.
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.
-6:30pm: “Abolitionists and The Underground Railroad: Escape from the Bonds,” presented by John Comfort
This lecture will discuss major Abolitionists groups, the Underground Railroad, and the issues that slaves faced when considering escape—where would they go? What will become of their families? The lecture will also examine the impact of the Fugitive Slave Act on the Underground Railroad. To address the current events focus of this semester’s lecture series, the lecture will also ask students to compare the risks associated with being an undocumented immigrant.
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.
