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; and 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 Sept. 17, 2018
Wednesday, Sept. 19:
There are no lectures or classes scheduled.
Thursday, Sept. 20:
-8:00am and 10:10am: “American Foreign Policy and North Korea,” presented by Peter Galati
North Korea has posed challenges to U.S. foreign policy for many decades. U.S. Presidents and diplomats have responded to this issue in different ways and with different approaches–diplomatic overtures, attempts at negotiation, and more belligerent periods of force and intimidation, all the while North Korea has continued building its nuclear weapons and missile capabilities. In May, after a period of increasing tension and saber rattling, Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un met in Singapore for a summit that many hoped would bring about an end to this longstanding foreign policy challenge. Yet, after a promising start, progress seems to have slowed. This lecture will briefly explore the issues facing the United States with regard to North Korea and address how shifting power in Congress may impact any agreement reached between the Trump and Un governments.
Peter Galati has a BA in Political Science from Stockton University and an MA in History from the College of Staten Island. He teaches for the Core 100 Program and the English Department. He also serves as the Assistant to the Core Program Coordinator.
-4:40pm and 6:30pm: “Gerrymandering: Legislative Efficiency or Conquering Your Enemy?” presented by Vincent DePaolo
This lecture will focus on the political activity of gerrymandering during the redistricting process. It will examine how often this process takes place, what issues arise during this process, and what challenges have been brought to the federal courts to discourage or attempt to have districts redrawn that were seen to be unconstitutional set by the Westbury v. Sanders precedent. The lecture will also discuss how the recent decision by the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals on North Carolina’s congressional districts will affect the upcoming midterm elections.
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.
Saturday, Sept. 22:
10:10am: “Constitutional Law,” presented by Peter Ronalds
This lecture will begin with a short history of the intellectual and philosophical foundation of the United States Constitution from ratification to the present. It will examine how the United States Supreme Court has historically viewed the subject. Then, it will compare and contrast how the two political parties influence the United States Supreme Court.
Peter Ronalds earned his Doctor of Arts in Modern World History from St. John’s University in 1998. He has been teaching Core 100 and history classes since 1998.
