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. Please note, Saturday lectures meet in the smaller lecture hall and have limited space.
The lectures are 50 minutes and are all in the Williamson Theatre, except for the Saturday lecture, which meets in 1P-119. They meet on the following days/times: Wednesdays at 11:15am; 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 Thursday 4:40pm lecture will be playing “Corelandia” this semester.
The Lecture Series Schedule for the Week of Apr. 23, 2018:
Wednesday, Apr. 25:
-11:15am: “Diverse Impacts of Climate Change,” presented by Shai Mitra
Climate change is wreaking diverse impacts on our world. A brief survey is given of the biological and societal impacts of climate change.
Shai Mitra has research interests in avian ecology, evolution, and conservation.
Thursday, Apr. 26:
-8:00am: “Earth Day: 1970 and 2018,” presented by Richard Gid Powers
The year 1970 was a turning point in Americans’ awareness of the environment and their commitment to protect it. Greatly inspired by Rachel Carson’s The Silent Spring, April 22, 1970 saw millions of Americans rally for the protection of the environment on the first Earth Day, and on December 2, 1970 President Nixon signed an executive order establishing the Environmental Protection Agency. Earth Day 2018 may be just as significant a date in environmental history. After a year spent dismantling the EPA and its works, EPA administrator Scott Pruitt is under attack for high living and dirty dealing at the taxpayers’ expense. The real battle is over the future of the environment in the United States, which will be the subject of this lecture.
Richard Gid Powers is a Professor of History at CSI, and was a debater in high school and college.
-10:10am: See the Wednesday, 11:15am lecture.
-4:40pm: Corelandia, presented by Victor Miller and Vincent DePaolo
Last week in Corelandia: Corelandia is now five years into the future. The economy is doing well under farming. Not only grain can be grown but tobacco, cotton, and grapes, as well. A wine industry has been developed. A wall has been built along with a powerful army that is protecting Corelandia. However, two heavy storms hit the city and took out parts of the crop. After a brief recession, it has bounced back. Recently, by the sea, Corelandians have encountered the Batsonians, who have control of the nearby ports. They want to trade soy, fish, and lumber. You have also discovered another civilization called the Galatians, who are trying to destroy the El Azul, who are asking for help. In addition, the economy is predicted to become stagnant due to lack of innovation, infrastructure, or trade in the past year. No decision can be made until a government is formed. What type of government will be formed? What will the new governments role in the economy be? How can we help the El Azul? What can we trade with the Batsonians? Stay tuned to find out.
This week in Corelandia: Corelandian’s will now debate which system of economics will be most beneficial to our young nation-state. After reading Marx, Mills, and Smith, the factions will have to come up with solution to foster economic growth, raise the GDP to bring revenue into the Corelandian Treasury, and determine what laws need to be instituted to protect workers. Will they decide on a free-market capitialism, communism, or a mixed economy? Stay tuned to find out.
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.
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.
-6:30pm: “Fiscal Policy,” presented by Joseph Frusci
The lecture for this week will focus on fiscal policy of the United States, both spending and taxes. By examining contemporary fiscal policy trends, we will be able to track how the United States went from surpluses to budget deficits. In addition to this, looking at the most recent spending and tax bills signed into law by President Trump, as well as the implications of them, students will be able to understand what this means for them.
Joseph Frusci is a prior-service Army National Guardsman who earned a BA and MA in History. He is currently all but dissertation “ABD” in the Doctor of Education program (EdD) at Northeastern University. Joseph has been teaching with the Core program since 2012, and is the author of “2008 Bailout,” a Reacting to the Past game, which engages students in the complexities of the economic crisis of 2007-2008. He also teaches U.S history, government, and economics for the New York City Department of Education at Staten Island Technical High School.
