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. 26, 2018
Wednesday, Nov. 28:
-11:15am and 1:25pm: “The Role of Government in the U.S. Economy: Regulation and Deregulation,” presented by Richard Kotula
This lecture will highlight recent news pertaining to the government’s role in the economy. Using economic-related articles and providing a cursory analysis of them, the lecture will seek to engage students by asking them to form an opinion on two questions. First, what is the role of government in the economy and to what extent is the current administration responsible for the current bull market?
Richard Kotula been a member of the CSI community since 2002. From that time to the present, he has completed a BA in Psychology, a 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.
Thursday, Nov. 29:
-8:00am and 10:10am: “Regulation, Deregulation, and the Road to Dodd-Frank,” presented by John Lentine
From the Gilded Age to the Great Recession and Teddy Roosevelt to Dodd-Frank, this lecture will examine regulation and deregulation in the United States. The lecture will ultimately analyze the causes of the Great Recession through the lens of history and discuss the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act that arose as a result.
John Lentine graduated from the Pennsylvania State University – Capital College, with a BS in Public Policy and an MPA in Public Administration. 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 in the Center for Advising and Academic Success and teaches CORE 100 at the College of Staten Island.
-4:40pm: “Fiscal Policy of the United States,” presented by Joseph Frusci
The lecture for this week will focus on fiscal policy of the United States, both spending and taxes. By examining contemporary fiscal policy trends, we will be able to track how the United States went from surpluses to budget deficits. In addition to this, looking at the most recent spending and tax bills signed into law by President Trump, as well as the implications of them, students will be able to understand what this means for them.
Joseph Frusci is a prior-service Army National Guardsman who earned a BA and MA in History. He is currently all but dissertation “ABD” in the Doctor of Education program (EdD) at Northeastern University. Joseph has been teaching with the Core program since 2012, and is the author of “2008 Bailout,” a Reacting to the Past game, which engages students in the complexities of the economic crisis of 2007-2008. He also teaches U.S history, government, and economics for the New York City Department of Education at Staten Island Technical High School.
-6:30pm: “The 2008 Recession and the Road to Recovery,” presented by Anthony Casella
The Great Recession—which officially lasted from December 2007 to June 2009—began with the bursting of an eight-trillion-dollar housing bubble. The resulting loss of wealth led to sharp cutbacks in consumer spending. This loss of consumption, combined with the financial market chaos, triggered by the bursting of the bubble, also led to a collapse in business investment. As consumer spending and business investment dried up, massive job loss followed. In 2008 and 2009, the U.S. labor market lost 8.4 million jobs, or 6.1% of all payroll employment. Since the 2008 recession, our economy has seen steady growth, most visibly since 2017. The stock market has had steady growth since 2017, unemployment is hovering below four percent, and millions of new jobs have been created. However, in recent weeks, the Dow Jones gains for 2018 have been wiped out. Are we heading for a global economic downturn? How will this affect the U.S. economy?
Anthony Casella has been a member of the Core faculty since 2009. He received both a BA in History and an MS in Science 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. 1:
-10:10am: Student Panel presented by Donna Scimeca and students
To mark the end of the Fall 2018 semester, student representatives from each of the Core sections will take the stage to share with the Core faculty and the program’s coordinator, what worked and what didn’t this semester, and offer suggestions on how the program can be improved.
