11/15
History
A look at the history of affirmative action with Mary Frances Berry
A look at the history of affirmative action with Mary Frances Berry
The Geraldine R. Segal Professor of American Social Thought and professor of history emerita shares the origins of the term, discusses the practice’s early champions and highlights the ensuing controversies.
The struggle for equality in antebellum America
The struggle for equality in antebellum America
A new article tells the story of Robert Purvis, a Black Philadelphian and abolitionist whose quest to secure a passport reflects the lives of other free Black people in the decades leading up to the American Civil War.
Sophia Rosenfeld and Peter Struck discuss 2,800 years of ideas through history
Sophia Rosenfeld and Peter Struck discuss 2,800 years of ideas through history
The Penn Arts & Sciences professors discuss editing their new book series, “A Cultural History of Ideas.”
Soviet Union’s centenary
Soviet Union’s centenary
Experts from across Penn share their thoughts on the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Soviet Union.
Two Penn fourth-years and an alumna named 2023 Marshall Scholars
Two Penn fourth-years and an alumna named 2023 Marshall Scholars
Fourth-years Sarah Kane and Amy Krimm are in the College of Arts and Sciences, as was 2021 graduate Carson Eckhard.
Jewish history scholar talks antisemitism in today’s world
Jewish history scholar talks antisemitism in today’s world
Historian Beth S. Wenger discusses the history of modern antisemitism, its effect on the Jewish people, antisemitism on the right and left, Kanye West, Kyrie Irving, criticism of Israel, and the history of Jewish people in America.
Going beyond the binary in historical explorations of sex and gender
Going beyond the binary in historical explorations of sex and gender
Beans Velocci of the School of Arts & Sciences explores how sex and gender have been shaped and categorized through history—and the consequences of those constructions taking on the guise of scientific and medical fact.
Brazil’s presidential election
Brazil’s presidential election
Three experts share their thoughts on Luiz Inácio Lula Da Silva’s defeat of right-wing incumbent Jair Bolsonaro, and what it means for Latin America’s largest democracy.
At risk of persecution, scholars continue research at Penn
At risk of persecution, scholars continue research at Penn
The recently launched At-Risk Scholars Program has enabled two people—an art historian and economist—to escape persecution and danger with a period of residence at the University.
From ‘the United States are’ to ‘the United States is’
From ‘the United States are’ to ‘the United States is’
Political scientist Melissa M. Lee on how the linguistic shift from plural to singular demonstrates the evolution of sovereign authority in the U.S.
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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