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 with policy questions regarding the Undergraduate Program. They also administer the English Department Teaching Award, now in its second decade. Starting in 2008, the UAB also administers an advising prize. The UAB provides community and event programming for undergraduate English majors and minors and serving as the voice for undergraduates to the department.
In the past, the UAB has hosted distinguished scholars and writers and played a central role in renovating the English major. Past events the UAB threw set a terrific precedent for years to come: "Austen 'til it Hurts," "Spookeasy," a marathon reading of "A Christmas Carol," and a Valentines' Day bash, MAJOR LOVE. The UAB, in 2005-2006, brought you Monty Python's Terry Jones and New York Times Bestselling author Susan Jane Gilman, as well as co-sponsoring scholars like Michael McKeon and playwright Moises Kaufman. Each year, the UAB also awards students and professors with awards and recognitions at the end-of-the-year banquet for the department.
Some events the UAB hosts include the undergraduate student-graduate student-faculty play, guest speakers, field trips to see films, career nights, the annual Winter Reading Project and others. The 2006-2007 play was directed by Laura Michalak and Marcia Ferguson and consisted of a collection of scenes from "A Midsummer Night's Dream," "The Country Wife" and "O Go My Man." The UAB also hosted a well-attended career night in the fall and enjoyed reading In Cold Blood and watching "Capote" for the Winter Reading Project.
We've hosted some new events in 2009, as well as continuing our most fun traditions. The Winter Reading Project book for this year was Ian McEwan's Saturday. Thanks for reading with us and for joining us for a terrific panel, discussion, and film screening. We produced the 2nd annual faculty-student play, an abridged version of the complete adbridged works of Shakespeare. The play was co-directed by Kristin Brinkley and Thomas Ward. Teas with professors are a new UAB initiative for 2007-2008 and have been a big hit. Also, Penn's chaper of Sigma Tau Delta (the English Honor Society) is officially under way as of Spring 2008 and inductions were held April 23!
If you're interested in being a part of the UAB, please email one of the co-chairs, Dalglish Chew or Maxime McKenna. We're always looking for new members. Also, stay posted for more UAB events!
Upcoming Events for Fall 2009:
Wednesday, September 23rd, 6:15 PM in front of the Penn Bookstore Marjane Satrapi (author of Persepolis) speaks at the Free Library of Philadelphia! Prof. Heather Love will be leading a group of English majors and minors to the event at the Free Library of Philadelphia. We will meet in front of the Penn Bookstore at 6:15PM and take the trolley down to the event at 1901 Vine Street together. Please e-mail one of the UAB co-chairs if you will be attending, and remember to bring 2 Septa tokens for the return trip! Wednesday, September 30th, 5:00 PM @ Faculty Lounge F-B 135 First Faculty-Student Tea with Prof. Jim English! Prof. English returns to the department this fall after being on leave for the 2008-2009 academic year. He will be speaking about his research on the exportation and translation of contemporary British culture, Anglo-American cultural relations, and will also be available to field questions about the Penn-in-London program. Food will be served! Wednesday, October 21st, 5:00 PM @ Faculty Lounge F-B 135 Faculty-Student Tea with Prof. Peter Conn! Wednesday, November 18th, 5:00 PM @ Faculty Lounge F-B 135 Last Faculty-Student Tea of the semester with Prof. Tsitsi Jaji!
