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; 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 Dec. 2, 2019
Wednesday, Dec. 4:
-11:15am and 1:25pm: “What Role Does the Current Administration Play to U.S. Corporate Interests Abroad?” presented by Richard Kotula
This lecture will provide a cursory overview of government intervention for U.S. interests abroad with a primary focus on the current administration. The lecture will seek to engage the audience in a discourse on government responsibilities to U.S. corporate interests.
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, 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. Richard has also worked as a licensed: stockbroker, commodities broker, and a financial advisor.
Thursday, Dec. 5:
-8:00am: “Why Are Teachers Striking?” presented by Michael Batson
From the very beginning of our Republic, a well-educated citizenry was thought to be essential to protect liberty and the general welfare of the people; furthermore, education in the U.S. has been seen historically as a great equalizer, an engine of social mobility. Hence, local, state, and federal governments have had an important role to play in developing and funding educational activities. Recent strikes in K-12 systems indicates a tension between school professionals and policymakers over the appropriate role of government.
The past few years has seen a series of work actions by K-12 education workers: urban and rural areas, red districts and blue districts, wealthy states and poor states have experienced work stoppages by teachers and school staff. Most often, the demands by the strikers have been about more than the bread-and-butter issue of pay and benefits, with appeals to the wider community to join them in addressing what they view as inequities in their school systems that impact the children they teach.
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.
-10:10am: “$$$$ Makes the World Go Around????” presented by Rosemary McCall
Federal programs like Social Security, and taxes on employee retirement income (ERISA) and healthcare (ACA) are implemented to manage social and economic changes brought about by changes in industrialization and technology, shifts and changes in population, and urbanization. Pension and benefit violations of these programs often highlight aspects of the laws that are erroneous or even unconstitutional.
The lecture will provide an overview of a few Supreme Court cases that focus on labor certification and SEC/ EB-5 VISA violations, ObamaCare appropriation riders, and ERISA funds mismanagement.
Rosemary McCall is a graduate of Brooklyn College, CUNY. She holds advanced degrees from University of South Carolina and GWU National Law Center.
-4:40pm and 6:30pm: “Political, Social, and Economic Impacts of Climate Change,” presented by Joseph Frusci with special guest, Jeff Berardelli
This lecture will focus on the political, social, and economic impacts of climate change. It will also look at current trends in climate change, as well as what is being done to fight it and protect areas and communities that are directly impacted by it.
Joseph Frusci, EdD is a prior-service Army National Guardsman who earned a BA and MA in History, as well as the Doctor of Education degree at Northeastern University He has been teaching with the Core Program since 2012, and is the author of the “2008 Bailout,” a Reacting to the Past game, which engages students in the complexities of the economic crisis of 2007-2008. He also teaches American History, Government, Economics, and Computer Science for the New York City Department of Education at Staten Island Technical High School.
Jeff Berardelli is a climate change and extreme weather communicator contributing to CBS News in NYC and a meteorologist for NYC TV. He will be joining the moderated discussion.
By the Division of Academic Affairs
