April 2020
Anne Berg - Teaching on COVID Time
It’s Wednesday again and I am about to invite my students into my bedroom, who will welcome me to theirs. That’s not something I imagined myself ever saying and in the age of #metoo it feels profoundly disorienting having to explain this particular reality. But I no longer have access to my office on campus; my son is in the living room, playing video games with his friends online; and I have to retreat to a quiet place.
Sarah Barringer Gordon-A brief commentary on the legal history of epidemics in America, 1890 -2020
In 1918, Philadelphia’s parade was disastrous. Within three days, every hospital bed in the city was full, within six weeks, the death toll was 12,000. Other cities’ caution proved much savvier. St. Louis was a model – it closed schools, parks, libraries, churches, courts, and more, and had the lowest death toll of any major city.
Brent Cebul Interviewed in Penn Today on The Great Depression, The New Deal, and How Disasters change politics
Brent Cebul discusses lessons politicians can take from the Great Depression and New Deal as well as how disasters such as the COVID-19 pandemic can impact aand change politics.
Alex Chase-Levenson Interviewed in Penn Today on Pandemics, Quarantines and History
Alex Chase-Levenson discusses the history of quarantines and his upcoming book The Yellow Flag: Quarantine and the British Mediterranean World, 1780-1860.
The History Department is ready for Advance Registration
Fall ’20 Advance Registration has been rescheduled to run from April 14-April 24, and the History Department is ready to help students plan their fall semesters! All Penn students are welcome to schedule a meeting with Dr. Fabella, the History Undergraduate Advisor, here. History majors can seek advice from their History faculty advisors as well.
History Pathways Pilot Released
Penn History is delighted to release a pilot version of a web-based app designed to help undergraduates create their own unique path through the department's rich curricular offerings: Penn History Pathways!
Aron Brouwer Interviewed in Omnia
Aron Brouwer, a first-year Ph.D. student, was interviewed in Omnia. The article, "Translating Hitler," discusses his examination of two French translations of Mein Kampf and global networks of fascism and anti-fascism.
Featured Student: Archana Upadhyay
I’m a senior from Chicago majoring in World History. I transferred to Penn as a sophomore from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. For the past two years, I have served as the chair of the Penn History Student Society and have been a student researcher with the Penn and Slavery Project.