The English UAB

Founded in 1993, the English Undergraduate Advisory Board (or UAB) is a small group of dedicated students who assist the Undergraduate Chair with Departmental Events and policy questions regarding the Undergraduate Program.  It also administers the English Department Teaching Award, now in its second decade, and an advising prize since 2008.  The UAB provides community and event programming for undergraduate English majors and minors and serves as the voice for undergraduates to the department.

Basically, we have tons of fun.  We've hosted distinguished scholars and writers, including Monty Python's Terry Jones and New York Times Bestselling author Susan Jane Gilman, as well as Michael McKeon and playwright Moises Kaufman. We've had events like "Austen 'til it Hurts"; "Spookeasy"; a marathon reading of "A Christmas Carol"; a Valentines' Day bash, MAJOR LOVE; and even a faculty-student play that was an abridged version of the complete adbridged works of Shakespeare.  Each year, the UAB also awards students and professors with awards and recognitions at the end-of-the-year banquet for the department, a celebration that also serves as induction to Penn's chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, the national English honors society.  

[Among] The Things We Do:

The Winter Reading Project

Every year before winter break, we give you a FREE book. In the spring we have a panel. Last year's was MILAN KUNDERA'S UNBEARABLE LIGHTNESS OF BEING.  We had a fantastic panel hosted by Kelly Writers House, and a movie screening hosted by Penn professor and Czech scholar Peter Steiner. Keep your eyes peeled for the next Winter Reading Project!

Literary outings

We sponsor trips to the Free Library (which ironically doesn't always run free events). We took you to Salman Rushdie last fall, and will take you to see Sherman Alexie on March 16. Email the chair (Rivky Mondal) or the assitant chair (Kate Herzlin) to reserve your free ticket!

Faculty-Student Teas

We have informal teas with your favorite professors. Last fall we hosted Charles Bernstein, a Penn poetics professor. This spring we met new professor Devin Griffiths, who teaches on Gothic literature, science fiction, and more. The next tea will be in September. See you there!

And... Career nights, readings, departmental plays, and more! Have a suggestion? Stop by one of our meetings. You do not have to be an English major to join, only interested in Englishy things (as that is what we -- you? -- do). 

For more information, visit our Facebook page, or email the chair, Rivky Mondal, or the assistant chair, Kate Herzlin.  Or, come to one of our events; details are below!

Coming Up: 

The English Department End-of-the-Year party! Come join in on the festivities.