History

Latino voters and lessons from the 2020 election

Political scientist Michael Jones-Correa, historian Ann Farnsworth-Alvear, and demographer Emilio Parrado share their thoughts on the election results and what both parties might take away from looking at how Latinos voted.

Kristen de Groot

‘You Voted. But Did it Really Matter?’

On Nov. 7, Pennsylvania’s electoral votes secured Joseph Biden the presidency. Anticipating news of a Biden win, Mary Frances Berry, Geraldine R. Segal Professor of American Social Thought and professor of history and Africana studies, called it a time to push forward for change with renewed force. 

Kristina García

Is American democracy at a breaking point?

Amidst a backdrop of protests, the pandemic, and presidential politics, historian Anne Berg shares her thoughts on whether American democracy is at risk, historical parallels to the current situation, and what ordinary people can do.

Kristen de Groot

Mary Frances Berry, a ‘woman of the century’

In a profile, the Geraldine R. Segal Professor of American Social Thought and Professor of History discusses her history as an adviser on education and civil rights, and today’s protest movements.

From Penn IUR

Looking at the past through the historic present

Sophomore Megan Chui expected her internship at the National Constitution Center to give her insights into how the past plays into the present. The summer of social unrest and the pandemic added a contemporary component to the job.

Kristen de Groot



In the News


Chronicle of Higher Education

Stop treating students like babies

Jonathan Zimmerman of the Graduate School of Education organized an in-person 2016 discussion between Penn students and Republican students at Cairn University to foster productive conversation and find common ground.

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CBS News

Presidential historian assesses Trump’s 2024 win

Mary Frances Berry of the School of Arts & Sciences discusses Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential victory and upcoming second term.

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New Republic

The bad politics of bad posture

In her book “Slouch,” Beth Linker of the School of Arts & Sciences outlines how societal pressures have driven huge swaths of people to embrace falsehoods about posture.

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MSNBC

Time will tell if Kamala Harris made the right choice by picking Tim Walz

In an opinion essay, Brian Rosenwald of the School of Arts & Sciences outlines the thought process behind past picks for vice-presidential running mates.

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Philadelphia Inquirer

This should be our response to Donald Trump’s comments that ‘you won’t have to vote anymore’

In an opinion article, Jonathan Zimmerman of the Graduate School of Education argues that voting should be mandatory.

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University World News

The local democratic mission of HE: Lessons from the U.S.

A paper edited by Ira Harkavy and Rita A. Hodges of the Netter Center for Community Partnerships examines how urban universities can further democracy and inclusion by working with their local communities.

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