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Louisa Shepard
Senior News Officer
lshepard@upenn.edu
Literature
Cultures of the book
Cultures of the book
In the Cultures of the Book course taught by Whitney Trettien, assistant professor of English, students “adopt a book” they select from the Penn Libraries collection, and their research projects are published on an academic website.
Who, What, Why: Patrick Carland-Echavarria and queer Americans in post-war Japan
Who, What, Why: Patrick Carland-Echavarria and queer Americans in post-war Japan
Ph.D. candidate Patrick Carland-Echavarria’s research looks at postwar Japanese queer cultures, translation, art, and literature and at how American gay men found refuge there during the Cold War and beyond.
400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s First Folio
400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s First Folio
A Penn Libraries celebration of the 400th anniversary of the publication of William Shakespeare’s “Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies” featured students performing scenes and a rare appearance of four First Folios.
Who, What, Why: Jing Jing Piriyalertsak on political messaging, Punch Bowl, and puns
Who, What, Why: Jing Jing Piriyalertsak on political messaging, Punch Bowl, and puns
The international relations major explores how narratives are shaped and how we understand the world through writing.
Translating Russophone poetry of resistance into English
Translating Russophone poetry of resistance into English
A poetry translation symposium organized by Kevin M.F. Platt of the School of Arts & Sciences and colleagues, in partnership with PEN America, brought a group of Russian-language poets and American translators and scholars together in Armenia last fall.
By the Numbers: Six years of The Sachs Program student grants
By the Numbers: Six years of The Sachs Program student grants
This week, The Sachs Program for Arts Innovation announced its latest round of spring grants for students, and Penn Today offers a by-the-numbers look at the Program’s investment in students to date.
Evoking an ancient world
Evoking an ancient world
The medieval English epic poem “Beowulf” is brought to life in a musical performance by Benjamin Bagby and academic discussion through a partnership among the Penn Live Arts, the Libraries, and the School of Arts & Sciences.
Poet Wes Matthews combines writing, music, research, and service
Poet Wes Matthews combines writing, music, research, and service
College fourth-year Wes Matthews is combining writing, music, research, and service during his Penn experience. A former Youth Poet Laureate of Philadelphia, the anthropology major and religious studies minor works at the Kelly Writers House and is a Wolf Humanities Center fellow.
ModPo celebrates its first decade
ModPo celebrates its first decade
Modern and Contemporary Poetry was founded by Al Filreis of the School of Arts & Sciences at Kelly Writers House in 2012, and now has 69,000 people enrolled globally. Poets and participants came to campus to celebrate the 10th anniversary.
The future of decline in America
The future of decline in America
In his new book “The Future of Decline: Anglo-American Culture at its Limits,” English Professor Jed Esty offers alternatives to America’s “language of greatness,” taking lessons from the experience of Britain during the past century.
Media Contact
In the News
BBC
The Iliad: How modern readers get this epic wrong
In a Q&A, Emily Wilson of the School of Arts & Sciences discusses what the Iliad can tell us about modern society, from masculinity to environmentalism.
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The New York Times
Warriors who seek immortal fame and find it, in epic poetry
A book review of the School of Arts & Sciences’ Emily Wilson’s translation of the “Iliad” says she brings Homer’s great war story to rousing new life.
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Scientific American
What’s the world’s oldest language?
Deven Patel of the School of Arts & Sciences believes that Sanskrit is the oldest continuous language tradition, which means that it’s still producing literature and being spoken.
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Philadelphia Sunday Sun
‘Be Holding’ dives into Black genius and joy
“Be Holding,” a poetry performance that seeks to heal grieving Black families, was directed by Brooke O’Harra and composed by Tyshawn Sorey, both of the School of Arts & Sciences.
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Philadelphia Inquirer
The life and work of acclaimed Black children’s author and illustrator Ashley Bryan is honored in a new Penn exhibit
Lynne Farrington of the Kislack Center comments on a new Penn Libraries exhibit celebrating the late Black children’s author and illustrator Ashley Bryan.
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The New York Review of Books
Trees in themselves
“Elderflora: A Modern History of Ancient Trees,” a new book by Jared Farmer of the School of Arts & Sciences, is reviewed.
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