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.
The University of Pennsylvania's Department of Linguistics in Philadelphia, PA, United States, is a distinguished center for the scientific study of human language. As the oldest modern linguistics department in the US, it provides a comprehensive exploration of language's structure, function, and evolution through its rigorous undergraduate and graduate programs. The department cultivates a vibrant, diverse community dedicated to cutting-edge research across subfields like phonetics, syntax, sociolinguistics, and computational linguistics. A key strength is its interdisciplinary collaboration, connecting with fields such as psychology and computer science, and leveraging affiliations with the Institute for Research in Cognitive Science and the Linguistic Data Consortium, creating a rich environment for students pursuing diverse academic and professional paths.
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