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 Apr. 16, 2018:
Wednesday, Apr. 18:
-11:15am: “MLK’s Legacy,” presented by Deborah DeSimone
In order to mark the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s death, Dr. De Simone will look at his lasting impact and the degree to which his dream still inspires.
Deborah DeSimone is an Associate Professor of Education in the School of Education at CSI. She has been on the CSI faculty since 1993 and was a member of the cadre of professors who designed and first implemented Core 100. Her specialty areas are social studies education and U.S. history. Professor DeSimone’s undergraduate degree is from Brown University and her graduate degrees are from Columbia University Teachers’ College.
Thursday, Apr. 19:
-8:00am and 10:10am: “#MeToo,” presented by John Lentine
This lecture focuses on the #MeToo movement by taking a chronological look at the events that led up to its creation. The lecture compares the #MeToo movement to the Civil Rights movement.
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.
-4:40pm: Corelandia, presented by Victor Miller and Vincent DePaolo
Last week in Corelandia: The Farmer, Lockean, Progressive, Populist, and Professional factions decided that Corelandia should pursue farming as the main focus of the economy. Also, they decided that the most important infrastructure project was to build an irrigation system to help make the farms more fertile. Secondly, the Warrior, Nationalist, Communist, and Anarchist factions decided to create an army. They also decided to build berms to surround the sea to protect from future destruction. Finally, they decided not build a wall around the sea or Corelandia. Now that these decisions have been made, what will the rebuilding of this society and civilization amount to? Can Corelandian’s sustain a functioning new civilization without a structured society through a government? Can the state of nature become and stay the status quo or will being in the state of nature produce further consequences? Tune in next week to find out.
This week in Corelandia:Corelandia is now five years into the future. The economy is doing well under farming. Not only can grain be grown, but tobacco, cotton, and grapes as well. A wine industry has been developed. A wall has been built along with a powerful army that is protecting Corelandia. However, two heavy storms hit the city and took out parts of the crop. After a brief recession, it has bounced back. Recently, by the sea, Corelandians have encountered the Batsonians who have control of the nearby ports. They want to trade soy, fish, and lumber. Corelandians have also discovered another civilization called the Galatians who are trying to destroy the El Azul, and are asking for help. In addition, the economy is predicted to become stagnant due to a lack of innovation, infrastructure, or trade in the past year. No decisions can be made until a government is formed. What type of government will be formed? What will the new government’s role in the economy be? How can we help the El Azul? What can we trade with the Batsonians? Stay tuned to find out.
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: “What Remains of the New Deal?” presented by John Comfort
The lecture will discuss the importance of the New Deal programs at their inception and examine what remains of those programs today. Are they still viable?
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.
