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; on Thursdays at 8:00am, 10:10am, 4:40pm, and 6:30pm; and on Saturdays at 10:10am in Building 1P, Room 119.
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 Feb. 18, 2019
Wednesday, Feb. 20:
-11:15am: Corelandia presented by Victor Miller and Faculty
This week Corelandians will be tasked with forming a government in order to depart from the factional chaos and current state of nature in which the city exists. Each faction will purpose a government and argue its value to the community. Through debate and compromise, a functioning government will be formed, that will help solve the issues of Corelandia.
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.
Thursday, Feb. 21:
-8:00am: “The U.S. Involvement in the Venezuelan Crisis Continued,” presented by Richard Kotula
In light of recent events, this lecture seeks to engage the audience in a discourse on the U.S. government’s involvement in Venezuela and discuss potential outcomes. After a brief summation of material from a prior lecture, this presentation will highlight the latest news in the crisis to advance our understanding of U.S. and Latin American geopolitical interactions.
Richard Kotula has been a member of the CSI community since 2002. From that time to the present, he has completed a BA in Psychology, BA in History, and an MA in History. He joined the Core 100 family in 2014. Since then, Richard has also joined the Political Science and Global Affairs Department and teaches Regional Geography. In addition to teaching, Richard helps run the Remedial Math program for the Mathematics Department. He has also worked as a licensed: stockbroker, commodities broker, and a financial advisor.
-10:10am: “Separation of Powers/Checks and Balances: Is a Constitutional Showdown Looming?” presented by William Fallon
The Constitution is specific in its wording of specific powers distributed to each of the three branches of our government. Congress has what is commonly referred to as “the power of the purse”– appropriation and allocation of funds for use by/for the government. Last week’s decision by President Trump to invoke a National Emergency at the southern border is historic due to the fact that he wants to use monies already allocated for other projects to fund the Border Wall project. This is unprecedented for a President to attempt. He most certainly is going to face tough opposition, from Congress as well as in the legal arena, perhaps at the Supreme Court itself. At the base of all of these arguments lies our Constitution. This lecture will examine this situation and discuss the ramifications associated with it.
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.
-4:40pm: “The Bill of Rights Today,” presented by Anthony Casella
This lecture will examine Amendments within the “Bill of Rights,” particularly the “right to bear arms” as the Second Amendment, and the Ninth Amendment as it applies to privacy rights with regard to a women’s right to choose. Professor Casella will lead a discussion on whether these Amendments are, as currently written, “in line” with recent state law that either limits or expands the original intent of these amendments. Question: Should the federal government modify these amendments to better reflect our changing society?
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.
-4:40pm and 6:30pm: “Border Security,” presented by Michael Matthews
This lecture will explore the current border security issue, including its impact on the recent spending bill and Trump’s claim that it is a national emergency.
Michael Matthews earned both his Bachelor of Arts and Master’s of Arts degrees at Brooklyn College/CUNY. He also has a Master’s of Business Administration (Finance) from Fordham University.
