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 at 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 1:25pm and 3:35pm; on Thursdays at 8:00am, 10:10am, 4:40pm, and 6:30pm; and on Saturdays at 10:10am.
The Lecture Series Schedule for the Week of Monday, Oct. 3, 2016
Wednesday, Oct. 5:
1:25pm: Core 100 Election Series: ‘Labor Unions,” presented by Michael Batson
As union membership has declined in the past three decades, organized labor has experienced decreasing political power. However, the past couple of election cycles have seen a resurgence of sorts, at least in campaign contributions by labor organizations. From the recent Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association case at the Supreme Court to the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement proposal being vigorously debated within and between both political parties, labor has a lot at stake in the current election cycle. This issue is complicated by the fact that while unions might represent large numbers of members, those members will at times disagree with each other and with their union leadership on party affiliation and on economic and political issues.
Michael Batson has been teaching at the College of Staten Island since fall 2000. He teaches CORE 100, History, and occasionally in the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies program. He earned his Master’s degree in Liberal Studies. Professor Batson specializes in labor and social history (the history of ordinary people and historically marginalized groups).
3:35pm: Core 100 Election Series: “Campaign Finance and the American Industrial Complex,” presented by John Lentine
In every election cycle, our economic system heavily determines who will be President. Why do candidates take their respective positions on certain issues? Why does it seem as though the archaic ways of past generations are still practiced today, regardless of public opinion? This lecture will highlight campaign finance, and draw out the main points that voters should bear in mind when attempting to “follow the money” in the election this November.
John Lentine graduated from the Pennsylvania State University – Capital College with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy and a Master’s degree 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. Recently, with many of his esteemed colleagues, he has served on the Core 100 textbook editing committee.
Wednesday, Oct. 7:
There are no Thursday lectures this week.
Saturday, Oct. 8:
10:10am: Core 100 Election Series: “Immigration Policy,” presented by John Comfort
During this lecture, we will discuss immigration and the differing views of the two candidates in the 2016 Presidential Election. How should we as a nation handle border security and what needs to be done about undocumented residents?
John Comfort earned his Master’s degree in History from the College of Staten Island in 2003 and has taught classes at CSI in the Core Program and also the American Studies Program since 2006.
