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 11:15am and 1:25pm; 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. 19, 2018

Wednesday, Nov. 21:

-11:15am: “What’s Your Name? Who’s Your Daddy? I Really Want to Know,” presented by Debbie Almontaser

The United States Census is a national survey conducted every ten years. The purpose of the census is to collect statistical data about U.S. citizens to determine the appropriate division of seats in the House of Representatives and provide a basis for appropriation of federal taxes and funding among states. It is mandatory for all U.S. citizens to participate and those who refuse to take the census can face a fine. The questions asked in the census have varied since its inception in 1790. The Census for 2020 is currently being debated in the public square and U.S. Courts for its controversial question on citizenship.  Should the government have access to all of this data?

Debbie Almontaser was the founding and former principal of the Khalil Gibran International Academy in Brooklyn, NY. A 25-year veteran of the NYC Public School system, she taught and served as a director in special education and inclusion, trained teachers in literacy, and served as a multicultural specialist and diversity advisor. Currently, she is the Founder and CEO of Bridging Cultures Group Inc. and a Professor at the College of Staten Island’s School of Education in the Post-Master-s Advanced Certificate Program for Leadership in Education.

-1:25pm: “The Perception of Media Bias in the U.S.,” presented by Robert Grosso

Professor Grosso will explore the perception of media bias in the United States, looking back at the timeline of how all forms of mass media and journalism deal with liberal and conservative bias, modern problems such as fake news and yellow journalism. The lecture will also examine what students can do to try and protect themselves from extremely biased or fabricated news stories.

Robert Grosso has been teaching with the Core Program since 2014. He also teaches at Union County College in New Jersey, mostly on the subject of Western civilization.

 

There will be no classes on Thursday, Nov. 22 and Saturday, Nov. 24.

 

The Core Family wishes you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving.