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 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. 10, 2020
Wednesday, Feb. 12: College closed for Lincoln’s Birthday
Thursday, Feb. 13:
-8:00am and 10:10am: “Media Bias,” presented by Robert Grosso
Professor Robert Grosso will discuss perceptions of media bias in the United States. This lecture includes a discussion of the historical roots of media bias, the rise of penny presses, the modern usage of Fake News and Yellow Journalism, the Rashomon Effect, and the growing use of social media, which exacerbate our own personal perceptions of the news.
Robert Grosso has been teaching with the Core Program since 2014, and has lectured on numerous topics in history, civics, and economics for the program’s lecture series. He also teaches at Union County College in NJ, primarily teaching the history of Western civilization.
-4:40pm: “Privilege and Constitutional Democracy.” presented by Patrice Buffaloe
This week’s lecture will require large group participation. As a group, we will define Constitutional Democracy. And through the process of active learning, the students will address the concept of privilege. It is paramount to note that the issue of privilege in this lecture will not be centered on race or gender. Rather, it is important to see that we all are privileged. Recognizing privilege is an opportunity to foster empathy, increase understanding, and play our own part in correcting some of the inequities that exist in our society. In this lecture, participation is very important, as each member is viewed as an agent of change, helping other members, being supportive, and providing feedback to others. This will ultimately serve to help the students answer the essential question of the lecture: To what extent does privilege work as the antithesis of Constitutional Democracy?
Patrice Buffaloe is a proud graduate of the College of Staten Island. In 2003, she earned her MA in Liberal Arts and 2005, her MS in Adolescent Education. Professor Buffaloe holds New York State certification teaching licenses in Special Education, Grades 7–12; Social Studies, Grades 7–12; and Elementary Education, Grades 1–6. She has had the pleasure of teaching EDS 201 and EDD 602 the Social Historical Foundation of Education to pre-service teachers with a focus on urban education and the effect of social, economic; and political conditions on the public education system. However, Professor Buffaloe is most proud of the work she does with the students in the Core 100 classes.
By the Division of Academic Affairs
