4/22
Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences
The story the bowls tell
The story the bowls tell
In an ambitious new project, historian Simcha Gross and Harvard’s Rivka Elitzur-Leiman are studying hundreds of ancient incantation bowls housed at the Penn Museum. They hope to better understand the objects and eventually, build a database of all these bowls worldwide.
The future of decline in America
The future of decline in America
In his new book “The Future of Decline: Anglo-American Culture at its Limits,” English Professor Jed Esty offers alternatives to America’s “language of greatness,” taking lessons from the experience of Britain during the past century.
Which teens are more likely to vape? Research shows surprising patterns in race and sexuality
Which teens are more likely to vape? Research shows surprising patterns in race and sexuality
A new study from the Annenberg School for Communication aims to examine differences in current e-cigarette use prevalence among youth at the intersections of sexual orientation with race and ethnicity in the U.S.
Mikhail Gorbachev’s legacy
Mikhail Gorbachev’s legacy
Penn experts share their thoughts on Gorbachev’s impact on the Soviet Union and the world, and how history will remember him.
Making sense of a United Ireland
Making sense of a United Ireland
In a new book, political scientist Brendan O’Leary explores the contentious issue of a reunited Ireland and why now is the time to consider the future of the island.
‘In These Times’ explores the intricate riddles of life through art
‘In These Times’ explores the intricate riddles of life through art
Episodes 6 and 7 of the latest season of the OMNIA podcast explore how art like music and dance have been the pulse of social movements, and how individual artistic experiences impact mental health and well-being.
Ukraine nuclear power plant caught in war’s crossfire
Ukraine nuclear power plant caught in war’s crossfire
The School of Arts & Sciences’ Anna Mikulska, an expert on the geopolitics of energy, discusses the situation at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Station, Russia’s aims, and what she’s most concerned about.
Chinese Americans, countries apart
Chinese Americans, countries apart
Fourth year Adrian Ke’s research into Chinese Peruvian immigrants fueled her thesis and a deeper connection to her own cultural identity.
Weitzman’s Michael Fichman on nighttime economies and a Philly milestone
Weitzman’s Michael Fichman on nighttime economies and a Philly milestone
Weitzman’s Michael Fichman discusses how the Night Time Economy Office benefits all aspects of city life, creating a safe, thriving, and creative community 24 hours a day.
The Constitution is the crisis: Jamelle Bouie on the state of the U.S.
The Constitution is the crisis: Jamelle Bouie on the state of the U.S.
The New York Times columnist hosted a talk, “Way Past Normal: American Politics in 2022 and Beyond,” hosted by The Andrea Mitchell Center, The SNF Paideia Program, and The Government and Politics Association.
In the News
Philadelphia Inquirer
Comcast’s Sports Complex plan for South Philly would make our city less livable
In an Op-Ed, Vukan R. Vuchic of the School of Engineering and Applied Science says that Philadelphia should make transit more accessible rather than striving to accommodate more cars.
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The New York Times
We don’t see what climate change is doing to us
In an Op-Ed, R. Jisung Park of the School of Social Policy & Practice says that public discourse around climate change overlooks the buildup of slow, subtle costs and their impact on human systems.
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Associated Press
Far fewer young Americans now want to study in China. Both countries are trying to fix that
Amy Gadsden of Penn Global says that American interest in studying in China is declining due to foreign businesses closing their offices there and Beijing’s draconian governing style.
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Associated Press
In death, three decades after his trial verdict, O.J. Simpson still reflects America’s racial divides
Camille Charles of the School of Arts & Sciences says that Black Americans have grown less likely to believe in a famous defendant’s innocence as a show of race solidarity.
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The Wall Street Journal
‘Slouch’ review: The panic over posture
In her new book, “Slouch: Posture Panic in Modern America,” Beth Linker of the School of Arts & Sciences traces society’s posture obsession to Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution.
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