Within the University of Pennsylvania's distinguished School of Arts & Sciences, the Humanities form a vital core of the liberal arts foundation. Rather than a single department, this area comprises a rich array of diverse disciplines, enabling students to pursue in-depth study in traditional fields such as literature, history, and philosophy. It strongly encourages interdisciplinary exploration, connecting ideas across different subjects to foster a comprehensive understanding of human culture, expression, and thought. Students cultivate essential critical thinking and analytical skills, engaging with the complexities of the human experience in a dynamic intellectual environment. Drawing upon the extensive resources and broad academic scope of the School of Arts & Sciences, Penn's humanities education prepares graduates for meaningful contributions across various fields.
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The University of Pennsylvania (commonly referred to as Penn or UPenn) is a private Ivy League research university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is one of nine colonial colleges chartered prior to the U.S. Declaration of Independence when Benjamin Franklin, the university's founder and first president, advocated for an educational institution that trained leaders in academia, commerce, and public service. Penn identifies as the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States, though this representation is challenged by other universities. Benjamin Franklin and other Philadelphians established the university in 1749, which would make it the fifth-oldest institution of higher education in the U.S.
