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 Apr. 15, 2019

Wednesday, Apr. 17:

-11:15am: Corelandia, presented by Victor Miller and Faculty

Last week, Corelandia’s first trial was held. The jury found the Batsonian ambassador not guilty and free to go home. This verdict was a heavy blow to the King and the upcoming war with Batsonia. Corelandia is currently seeing a golden age economically and socially. However, there is strife in the government over this war. Many feel that Corelandians must protect themselves offensively and unite with Galatia to preemptively eliminate a perceived threat. Others believe that trade and diplomacy will keep the peace. Stay tuned this week to see what Corelandians will decide and what will be the result of their actions.

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, Apr. 18:

-8:00am: “The Federal Reserve Bank and Its Independence within the Government,” presented by John Lentine

With the President putting pressure on the Federal Reserve Bank, debate over how independent the Fed should be within the government has arisen. This lecture will touch upon the recent disagreement between the government and the Federal Reserve, and evaluate this relationship through the lens of history, while providing an in-depth explanation of how monetary policy works in the United States.

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.

-10:10am and 4:40pm: “Climate Change: Part Three: The Role of the Economy,” presented by Donna Scimeca

On October 17, 2018 the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a 700-page report on the impacts of global warming. The report cites that “human activities are estimated to have caused approximately 1.0°C of global warming above preindustrial levels, with a likely range of 0.8°C to 1.2°C. Global warming is likely to reach 1.5°C between 2030 and 2052, if it continues to increase at the current rate.” The report further warns that we have just 12 years to make massive and unprecedented changes to global energy infrastructure to limit global warming to moderate levels.

Donna Scimeca, the Core Program Coordinator, will present the last of a three-part lecture series that examines the role of government, society, and the economy can play in addressing this challenge.

-6:30pm: “Julian Assange and Wikileaks,” presented by Michael Matthews

Following the arrest of Julian Assange on April 11, The Washington Post posed the following question: “Is Julian Assange a journalist? The Justice Department sidestepped that question in its indictment of Assange.” But his case is still certain to stir a debate about whether the WikiLeaks founder deserves protection under the First Amendment. This lecture will explore whether or not WikiLeaks is journalism, and whether or not it is entitled to the free press protection of the 1st Amendment.

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.