6.19
Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences
Perspective: Gas attack in Douma
Ian Lustick, a professor in Penn’s Political Science Department and a leading authority on international terrorism, says this weekend’s atrocities in Douma can be attributed to a Syrian attack. We asked him to elaborate on a few details.
How psychology explains the itch for spring cleaning
Wharton Professor Katherine Milkman teases out the “fresh start effect” of temporal landmarks like the first day of spring, New Year’s Day, and other meaningful calendar dates.
When ancient technology and high-tech robots intersect
In one Penn lab, a stone-sculpting machine is helping archaeologists solve long-held mysteries of very old tools.
Risk tolerance linked to amygdala and prefrontal cortex brain regions
New research links willingness to take risks to brain structure and function, specifically the amygdala, the prefrontal cortex, and connections between the two.
Martin Luther King Jr.’s time studying at Penn
A new book chronicles the student years of Martin Luther King Jr., and the time he spent taking secular classes at Penn.
Dispelling ideas about what social work is, and is not
To coincide with the annual "Shout Out" on Locust Walk, students and staff at the School of Social Policy and Practice highlight facts and dispel misinformation about the social work profession.
Film stars
The Penn Student Film Festival celebrated collaboration and creativity with a red-carpet gala and big-screen showing of eight finalists, chosen from 24 entries, at the New College House.
Alumnus Doug Glanville returns home to teach class on sports and social justice
This semester, the former Philadelphia Phillie and ESPN analyst is teaching a course in the Annenberg School for Communication.
Faith and a passion for music fuels a cappella group Dischord's president
Dischord president and undergraduate Evan Thomas on his passions, music and life journeys so far.
Filmmaker John Waters talks art, the meaning of ‘filthy,’ and humor as ‘terrorism’
In a discussion with John Waters that previews his world tour performance-talk on campus on April 24th, the legendary comedic and camp filmmaker discusses his take on humor, culture, art and aging.
In the News
The New York Times
Should Statutes of Limitations for Rape Be Abolished?
Marci Hamilton of the School of Arts and Sciences provided statistics on amendments to prosecution deadlines for victims of child sexual abuse and assault.
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Philadelphia Inquirer
After Trump G-7 Blast, Tension Hangs Over July NATO Meeting, Efforts to Deter Russia
Perry World House Fellow Derek Chollet and the School of Arts and Sciences’ Mitchell Orenstein offered commentary on the Trump administration’s relationships with U.S. allies.
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PBS NewsHour
Brief but Spectacular: Imani Davis
English and Africana Studies major Imani Davis of New York City performed a #MeToo movement-inspired poem on the “Brief but Spectacular” segment of the “PBS NewsHour.”
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Inside Higher Ed
Gender Gap Without Gender Bias?
Dawn Teele of the School of Arts and Sciences collaborated on research measuring gender bias in academic publishing. The study found that journals focused on qualitative research had higher percentages of female authors.
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Chronicle of Higher Education
From Doctoral Study to … Digital Humanities
The School of Arts and Sciences’ Stewart Varner explained that “digital humanities” isn’t technically a field on its own. “But,” said Varner, “it is often treated as such by people who consider themselves digital humanists as well as those who adamantly do not.”
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