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. 29, 2019

Wednesday, May 1:

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

When we last left Corelandia, it was in turmoil. After a happy union of marriage, things immediately went sour. The Council voted down going to war with Batsonia and was ignored and usurped by the King. The King then ordered the Council to be arrested but neither the police chief nor the general would do it. The council escaped. Corelandia was brought into a Civil War. Now it’s five years later! Join us to see where Corelandia is and what will it become.

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, May 2:

-8:00am: “The Forecast for 2020: Economics,” presented by James Smith

The Presidential election is more than 500 days away. Nevertheless, with already 20 notable declared candidates for the Presidency roaming the country to attract donors and voters, it may not be too early to examine the key issues that these hopefuls will be discussing in the coming months. It is likely that economic issues will take center stage in this contest, so this lecture will provide an overview of the leading proposals and arguments that the candidates will champion and denounce between now and Election Day. These issues include the overall state of the economy, income inequality, the minimum wage, universal income, reparations, and Medicare for all.

James Smith earned a BA in Economics and Political Science, as well as an MA in Modern History from Fordham University. He received a JD from Fordham’s School of Law and an LLM degree from New York University, School of Law. He is currently a PhD candidate in American History at Fordham.

-10:10am: “Economic Inequality,” presented by Michael Batson

Economic inequality is a major theme of current political discourse. The issue infuses debates about healthcare, education, wages, taxes, parental leave, student loans, and the environment. The functioning of government itself is impacted, as unequal political participation mirrors socioeconomic inequality, and as money plays such an important role in campaigns.

While there is a broad consensus that economic inequality in the United States has grown over the past few decades, and is now greater than at any time since 1929, there is disagreement over the causes, and even more contestation over what should be done about it, if anything.

Michael Batson is a Lecturer in the History Department and CORE 100 program. He has been teaching at the College of Staten Island since 2000.

-4:40pm and 6:30pm: “United States Labor and Trade Policy under the Trump Administration,” presented by Vincent DePaolo

One of the biggest domestic policy issues in the United States is trade. This lecture will explore how free trade has been a force for good in the United States economy and how it also has negatively affected the industrial blue collar workforce in the U.S. In addition, we will examine how President Trump is implementing and crafting trade policy. Specifically, we will examine the newly signed, but not ratified, United Stated-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) also known as the new North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the negotiations between China and the U.S. on a comprehensive trade agreement, and how this will positively and negatively impact the United States economy.

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.