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 officially renames school of design after Stuart Weitzman in a ceremony Thursday
The ceremony took place amid controversy surrounding the University’s decision to rename the school after current design graduate students sharply criticized the renaming.
Penn program lets students work with polling data leading up to 2020 election
Some PORES fellows in past years have had the opportunity to visit NBC News on election night, making predictions and crunching data at the decision desk.
‘We were completely blindsided': PennDesign students frustrated by the school’s renaming
Students critiqued the University's decision to rename the school after Weitzman, a fashion icon and 1963 Wharton graduate, because his profession as a designer is not related to any academic program offered at Penn.
Penn Museum rebrands itself as a 'gift for the city' after recent renovations
The museum will fully re-open to Penn students on Nov. 13, and to the general public on Nov. 16, with redesigned galleries and a refurbished main entrance and auditorium.
An inside look at bestselling author Nova Ren Suma's creative writing class at Penn
Suma, known for young adult novels like "A Room Away from the Wolves" and "The Walls Around Us," is teaching at Penn for one semester through the Creative Writing program.
Annenberg dean and students produce documentary about Southern gay black men
The film is an adaptation of Northwestern University professor E. Patrick Johnson's book, "Sweet Tea: Black Gay Men of the South." The documentary explores the lives of Johnson and six other gay black men whose stories were originally told in Johnson's work.
New course registration PATH app will replace Penn InTouch in 2021
PATH will have an app that allows students to plan their four-year academic path at Penn on worksheets.
Penn professor Emily Wilson awarded the MacArthur 'Genius' grant
Wilson will receive a $625,000 stipend paid in quarterly installments over five years by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
Penn students analyze political cartoons and satire in this communication class
Students in the class analyze political cartoons and videos to explore a satirist’s role in society, both politically and culturally.
LPS and Engineering School will launch cybersecurity boot camp for tech professionals
Beginning Nov. 12, students in the program will attend classes on Penn's campus three times a week during evenings and weekends, a 10-hour weekly commitment.
Amid Hong Kong protests, Penn Abroad releases advisory for students to stay on campus
The current political and social unrest in Hong Kong began in June, when people took to the streets to oppose the introduction of the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance amendment bill, which would allow local authorities to detain and extradite citizens of Hong Kong to mainland China.
Students explore Japanese religion through anime and manga in new Penn course
The syllabus includes anime and manga from a range of genres, including the popular anime film "Your Name" and "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind."Wharton introduces new Academically Based Community Service course
Social Impact and Responsibility is a seminar-style class that explores the role business can play in eradicating societal issues on both local and global levels.
Mary Francis to become new Penn Press director
For over two decades, Penn Press has been led by Eric Halpern, who took the position in 1995. Francis, who will succeed Halpern on Sept. 23, will be the press’s 13th director.
Van Pelt's basement just got a facelift. Here's what's new.
The renovated basement, which suffered from several broken electrical outlets, now has a rewired electrical system and fully functioning outlets.
Penn Global Seminar expands to offer more courses and department-specific programs
Previously, Penn Global Seminar courses were only courses that did not require prerequisites.
Penn rises to No. 6 in U.S. News & World Report university ranking
Penn has been ranked number eight for the past three years. Now, the University shares the No. 6 spot with Stanford University and the University of Chicago.
Penn undergrads can now major in environmental anthropology
Anthropology professor and Undergraduate Chair Katherine Moore said the new concentration was created because of interest from students and faculty in past years, amid the growing benefit of studying anthropology through an environmental lens.
Weeks after Amy Wax's 'dangerous' claims, students urge UA to start diversity programs
“I was really appalled that we even had a professor [at] this University making such derogatory comments,” said Nancy Ibrahim, vice president of the Muslim Students' Association and a College junior.