Academics
There’s always something new going on at Penn’s four undergraduate schools and 12 graduate schools. Look here for information on upcoming academic initiatives, new classes and research conducted by professors and students.
Penn Law brought 551 students to campus for a hybrid fall semester deemed a 'success story'
Although the University decided last minute no longer to bring undergraduate students back to campus in the fall, Penn Law opened its doors to approximately 550 students of its estimated 751-person class for in-person learning through Nov. 25, when classes ended for the semester.
Profs. deem online semester a success, but hope to teach in person soon
Reflecting back on the positive experiences of the unprecedented semester, professors nevertheless said they hoped to return to teaching in person as soon as possible.
New Penn course to examine the voting controversies of the 2020 election
The course will cover topics including voting rights, mail-in ballots, voter registration, felon disenfranchisement, and redistricting.
Professors and international students praise long-awaited Econ reclassification
The reclassification, which will go into effect spring 2021, will allow international students majoring in economics to apply for a two-year work extension in the U.S. under the Optional Practical Training Extension for STEM Students.
As COVID-19 disrupts travel, a global seminar on Indigeneity in South America turns to Zoom
Instead of traveling to Argentina and Chile, students who enroll in PSCI 313: People of the Land: Indigeneity and Politics in Argentina and Chile will conduct a series of Zoom interviews with experts in the field.
Penn to reclassify economics as STEM major, easing path to visas for international students
While most student visas are valid up to one year after graduation, international students majoring in STEM-designated programs can become eligible for an additional two-year work extension in their Optional Practical Training.
Ezekiel Emanuel, Biden COVID-19 advisor, to teach Penn course on Benjamin Franklin in spring
Despite his newfound responsibilities to the Biden presidential transition effort, Emanuel said he will be fully engaged in his Penn teaching duties. His course PHIL 118: Ben Franklin & His World will examine controversial aspects of Franklin’s life such as his participation in the slave trade.
Angela Duckworth’s spring Grit Lab course opens to first years and select high school students
This spring, Duckworth is opening the class to high school students in the Young Scholars High School Program, a non-degree program offered by Penn's College of Liberal and Professional Studies.
Penn grad student wins Rhodes Scholarship to research foster care-to-prison pipeline
Fierceton will pursue a Ph.D. in social policy and conduct research on the foster care-to-prison pipeline, representing a disproportionate risk of incarceration for young people in foster care, at the University of Oxford beginning in fall 2021.
New Penn course highlights Indigenous literary perspectives on the climate crisis
The course will examine the effects of capitalism and colonialism on the environment largely through the lens of Indigenous North American, South African, African American, and Palestinian literature.
Here are the College courses that double count for Spring 2021
Here's a comprehensive guide to the courses that double count, based on data from Penn's College Requirements page.
Penn GSE honors three professors with McGraw Prize for innovation in education
The prize recognizes individuals who have made a transformative impact on teaching and learning through innovative projects in three categories: higher education, learning science research, and pre-K-12 education.
Penn profs. author new book analyzing historical and current housing discrimination
The book, titled "Perspectives on Fair Housing," was published as part of the Penn Press series, "The City in the Twenty-First Century."
Penn prof. recognized on American Institute of Chemical Engineers’ ‘35 under 35’ list
The award recognizes young professionals who have made a “significant contribution to the Institute and to the chemical engineering profession.“
Professors turn to platforms like Slack and Slate to connect with students virtually
To make up for the loss of in-person services like “Take Your Professor to Lunch,” professors have shifted to platforms like Slate, Slack, and Gather Town, citing difficulties engaging with students through Canvas.
Over 3,200 students petition Penn to extend Friday’s pass/fail deadline to end of semester
Students said the current deadline of Oct. 30 is too early for them to know how they are doing in their classes, citing the lack of grades so far in their classes and heightened anxiety concerning the online semester.
With classes online, a wave of cheating is ravaging Penn’s academics
While some professors have implemented anti-cheating measures like "live proctoring" on Zoom, students claim that many professors have failed to take necessary precautions against cheating even in the face of inflated class scores.
Penn students use digital platform Gather to imitate in-person office hours
Gather, also known as Gather.town, simulates buildings and classrooms on campus where students, professors, and teaching assistants can interact with one another through personal avatars during office hours.
Engineering Dean’s Advisory Board will launch challenge to tackle environmental issues
To improve Penn's climate impact, the participants will create a proposal for one of the following categories: academics, utilities and operations, physical environment, and purchasing and transportation.