12.1
Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences
Herman Beavers’ balancing act of creativity and educational innovation
The professor of English and Africana studies is defined by his artistic curiosity and commitment to community building as a teacher and mentor.
‘Paradigm Lost’: New book outlines ‘one-state reality’ for Israelis, Palestinians
Middle East expert Ian Lustick, once a firm believer in a two-state solution as a path to peace in Israel, describes his new way of looking at the problem in his new book, “Paradigm Lost.”
Socioeconomic status in the U.S. harder to change than any time in past 150 years
Research from Penn sociologist Xi Song and colleagues shows that mobility declined substantially during this period, particularly for those born in the 1940s and later.
Math, stereotypes, and social belonging
Philip Gressman, professor of mathematics, discusses how stereotype threat can affect student performance in math, and how social belonging can curb it.
Using science to make cities safer and healthier
In a Q&A, criminologist John MacDonald discusses his new book, grounded in years of research on the positive effects of remediation like fixing up abandoned lots and houses.
‘13 Reasons Why’ and media effects on suicide
in a recent study, researchers estimated that an additional 195 suicide deaths among 10- to 17-year-olds occurred in the nine months after the 2017 release of the first season of the Netflix series “13 Reasons Why.”
Immersive stories to spur action on climate
Organized by the Penn Program in Environmental Humanities (PPEH), a two-day festival, “Environmental Storytelling and Virtual Reality” begins Friday, and will explore how virtual reality and other immersive storytelling might inspire action on climate change.
After political debates, FactCheck.org tells the true story
During each presidential debate, the team at FactCheck.org watches and listens closely to verify statements made by candidates, and draws precise lines between fact, misleading information, and sometimes pure fiction, for voters to have access to the truth.
A conversation with Gwendolyn DuBois Shaw
In the latest episode of “Office Hours,” a Penn Today podcast, Professor of History of Art Gwendolyn DuBois Shaw explains the curation process behind the Barnes Foundation’s “30 Americans” exhibit.
Demographic shifts, voter fears, and presidential voting
New research shows Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign didn’t benefit from voters’ fears of immigrants in communities experiencing greater demographic change.
In the News
After ‘long-term extended loan,’ Penn Museum sends ancient Iraqi artifacts home
The Penn Museum is bringing 3 boxes of ancient artifacts to the Iraq embassy in Washington, D.C. to be returned to their country of origin. “All the tablets were shipped out to be studied because no one in Iraq at the time could read them,” said the Museum’s Brad Hafford.
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The Trump Administration is using accusations of anti-Semitism to silence criticism of Israel
Ian Lustick of the School of Arts and Sciences wrote an opinion piece about the current administration’s efforts to “chill free speech and criticism of Israel” using the Department of Education’s civil rights mandate.
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America, are we ready: Democracy and impeachment and inclusion
Mary Frances Berry of the School of Arts and Sciences spoke on a podcast about the role of impeachment in American democracy.
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French playwright Molière did indeed write his own masterpieces, computer science suggests
Joan DeJean of the School of Arts and Sciences said the 17th-century French playwright Molière has a uniquely identifiable authorial voice.
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Make room at the table for difficult people
Annette Lareau of the School of Arts and Sciences wrote an op-ed about how families can make space for everyone at the Thanksgiving table, including those with mental illnesses and cognitive disabilities. “The trick is to reframe our expectations and accept the situation for what it is,” she said.
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