Upperclass Program Communities in Academic Year 2024-25

The Asian/Asian American Program Community aims to bring together both students that identify as part of the Asian and/or Asian American community, or who have an interest in learning more about the needs and concerns of this community. Through connections with academic and co-curricular resources, this Program Community focuses on community building through personal and group reflection, programming, and connection to both campus and off campus opportunities.

Program Goals:

• To open an additional space aside from academic coursework or involvement in student groups to explore Asian and Asian American topics
• To promote deeper reflection on Asian and Asian American identity, especially the diversity of experiences that the community tries to encompass
• To connect students to other resources on campus for exploring Asian and Asian American identity, as well as the field of Asian American studies
• To support opportunities for students to participate in events on campus and in Philadelphia together

Participation Expectations:

Participants will be expected to participate in programs organized by the PC RA and to take a leadership role in developing programs throughout the year.

Sample Events and Traditions:

Drawing from the former East Asia Program Community, this will be the first year for the Asian/Asian American Program Community, so residents can expect to be heavily involved with shaping the direction of this residential experience and involved in the development of new traditions. We will attend programs on campus, connect with the rich Asian and Asian American communities in Philadelphia through festivals, community service opportunities, academic resources, and more.

“It seems to me, Govinda, that love is the most important thing in the world. It may be important to great thinkers to examine the world, to explain and despise it. But I think it is only important to love the world, not to desire it, not for us to hate each other, but to be able to regard the world and ourselves and all beings with love, admiration and respect.”

                                —Herman Hesse’s Siddhartha

How do we regard the world with all its complexities and nuances, as well as the multitude of cultures found throughout the globe? The International Residential Program (IP) creates a dynamic space where residents can learn about other cultures and ways of living. Resident Advisors and Graduate Associates (RAGAs) and residents alike facilitate cooperative learning through dinner and discussions, participation in the annual Coffeehouse & Food Festival, and creation of cultural displays that are shown on the floors. Residents have also attended museum exhibition tours and special events in the Philadelphia area. As part of the Harnwell Cultures Collective, residents will showcase the integrated experience and interconnectedness of cultural commonality in scholarly and creative presentations at the annual Harnwell Symposium.

IP events and activities are shaped by residents’ interests each year and encompass exploration of international cultures, policies, cuisine, theater, music, etc. This program is well-suited for the student who takes initiative, is dedicated to the mission of the Cultures Collective, and is seeking intellectual and personal growth.

Program Goals: The Program invites residents to expand their understanding of other cultures and foster an appreciation for living in an intercultural community. At the conclusion of the academic year, residents will have developed their critical thinking skills, taken on leadership roles, and engaged with these topics through an interdisciplinary model. 

Participant Expectations: The Program RAGAs will review details and activities at the beginning of the academic year, where residents will receive their IP Compact. Residents will be expected to participate in the following, as decided by the RAGAs:

• 1 major event per month
• 1 minor event per month
• Implement 1 minor floor event as determined by the RAGAs
• Host 1 House program per semester

Members will assist in the production of Front Row’s productions including the company’s NSO, Fall, Winter, and Spring productions.   Members will also coordinate community service projects planned in connection with Front Row’s performances.  In addition, members of the program will collaborate in readings of plays and the creation of original dramatic and artistic works to be presented in Harrison College House.  In partnership with the Penn Art Club members of the program will meet local artists and alumni (playwrights, visual artists, and performers) to gain different perspectives about the arts community. Find out more on the Front Row Theatre website, and check out the Penn Art Club website.

Goals: Harrison’s Front Row Theatre Company Program provides its participants with the opportunity to encounter and study a broad range of artistic media and expression; to learn from other program residents, who come from diverse academic and artistic backgrounds; to take artistic risks within a supportive community.

Expectations: Members of the program will be expected to participate in Harrison’s Front Row Theatre; organize and participate in Harrison’s regular Art-In programs; organize and attend Harrison’s Art Speakers Series; develop Harrison’s original art series through collaborations in playwriting, filmmaking, or other forms of expressive arts.

Location: Harrison’s Front Row and the Arts Community Program in Harrison will be located on the 7th and 8th floors of Harrison College House.  

Chinese House welcomes any Gregorian interested in exploring Chinese language and culture. While some proficiency in Mandarin is preferred, all are encouraged to participate. Besides language, we will also enjoy films (with English subtitles), calligraphy, games and, yes, authentic Chinese food.

Chinese House is the Mandarin Chinese Language component of the Modern Languages Program, based in Class of 1925. TThis program is staffed by Graduate Resident Advisors (GRAs) who are accomplished graduate students (and often native Mandarin speakers) chosen to promote the goals of language immersion and cultural exposure. Each group meets weekly for meals, chats, media screenings and excursions. This close-knit community has members from all four class years, with some returning Gregorians taking on a leadership role; many participants are interested in international business, law, or careers in diplomacy, and often plan to study abroad while at Penn. Both beginners and those with considerable Mandarin Chinese fluency are welcome; dedicated residents often show great improvement in their speaking skills.

Program Goals: The program aims to provide students with regular Chinese language practice and diverse cultural experiences.

The Film Culture Program (FCP) is devoted to movie lovers interested in expanding their knowledge of the art form beyond just summer blockbusters and Oscar winners (though we like those too).

Our intimate, newly-renovated cinema lounge hosts a packed schedule of screenings and discussions (often more than 150 per year) covering  the medium’s history and the scope of world cinema today. (We post the trailers for the films we screen on our Facebook page— check out our current lineup!) This low-pressure program also sponsors a student-made film festival, takes regular trips to Philadelphia-area theaters (sometimes for advanced screenings), and encourages participants to write screenplays and try their hand at film-making. Even better, FCP members can choose to enroll in the program for academic credit and receive a grade for their active participation.

Program Goals: The program aims to introduce students to a wide range of films and to provide considerable practice discussing the art form.

Requirements: Although we hope all participants will participate in screenings and discussions from time to time, there is no formal expectation except for those residents who opt to enroll for credit.  For enrolled students, requirements include attendance at in-House screenings and excursions, along with active engagement in discussions.  Detailed requirements will be outlined in the course syllabus for students participating for credit.

The JCS Program connects residents to academic programming, facilitates interfaith dialogue, and creates new opportunities for residents to learn more about Jewish culture while building both a floor and a house community.   

Past JCS events have included Shabbat celebrations and a challah making night. Residents regularly participate in prayer services as a community, and JCS has a strong relationship with Hillel.

JCS also offers students the chance to shape their Residential Program experience by taking on leadership roles and planning events for the floor and the House.

Program Objectives:

• Gain an understanding of Jewish Culture in order to appreciate history and tradition

• Encourage dialogue about Jewish Culture in order to consider different viewpoints

• Create opportunities for members of the non-Jewish community to experience and learn about Jewish Culture

• Study Jewish Culture in a way that supplements one’s curricular education at Penn

• Develop relationships and network

• Identify ways in which they can contributed to building a the Rodin community

Expectations and Participation:  Members of the JCS floor should expect to attend floor meetings, participate in the annual Rodin Showcase, and generally be active members of their floor and House communites.