Political Science | Penn Today

Celebrating family firsts and resourcefulness in the Class of 2024

Lynn Larabi, Crystal Marshall, and Jason Chu all entered Penn as first-generation college undergraduates and the children of immigrants and pursued different paths: political science, film, and finance and accounting.

Zach Koung stands in front of a building next to a flight of concrete stairs, his reflection in the window behind him.

Seeking answers on civil discourse, finding a community

In his quest to tackle dialogue across differences, political science major Zach Koung has taken more SNF Paideia-affiliated courses than any student in the program.

A spilt image shows Arielle Alterwaite in the left half, posing with arms crossed and leaving against the exterior of a brick building, and the right side shows Katherine Scahill looking at the camera against a wallpapered background of tan and dusty red print.

Two Penn Ph.D. candidates awarded 2024 Newcombe Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship

The School of Arts & Sciences awardees are Arielle Xena Alterwaite, who is pursuing a Ph.D. in history, and Katherine Scahill, who is pursuing a Ph.D. in music.

Five from Penn elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2024

Dolores Albarracín, Charles L. Kane, Edward D. Mansfield, Virgil Percec, and Deborah A. Thomas are recognized for their contributions to mathematical and physical sciences and social and behavioral sciences.

Groups sue to block FTC’s new rule barring noncompete agreements

Cary Coglianese of Penn Carey Law says that the current Supreme Court has a majority that’s looking skeptically at the exercise of governing power by administrative agencies like the Federal Trade Commission.

Why losing political power now feels like ‘losing your country’

Yphtach Lelkes of the Annenberg School for Communication says that political elites, not average voters, are driving the democratic backsliding that is occurring in America.

A majority of Americans no longer trust the Supreme Court. Can it rebuild?

Matthew Levendusky of the School of Arts & Sciences says that a partisan trust gap has emerged in public perception of the Supreme Court as a conservative institution.

John Lapinski and PORES students at a computer at the Decision Desk.

Penn undergrads and Decision 2024

From helping with exit polling to vote count data collection, students in the PORES program bring their skills to the NBC Decision Desk on election nights.

Ara Patvakanian stands behind some trees with his arms crossed.

Who, What, Why

Who, What, Why: Ara Patvakanian

The fourth-year mathematical economics and political science double-major describes how our understanding of economic and political phenomena can have far-reaching consequences and highlights the importance of embracing different intellectual perspectives.

Be a Voter banner hanging on Locust Walk.

Building a culture of voting

Ahead of the Pennsylvania primary on Tuesday, Penn Leads the Vote applies a ‘reverse doorknocking’ strategy of campus partnerships to get out the vote.

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