"Teaching in the BFS program is an absolute joy because of the students' unparalleled intellectual curiosity and engagement. Their diverse academic backgrounds and enthusiasm for tackling complex issues create a dynamic learning environment. It’s inspiring to work with such thoughtful and driven individuals who are deeply committed to understanding and improving the world around them."
Professor David Guy, Alan B. Miller Professor, Professor of Healthcare Management, Professor of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine
BFS Seminars are a core component of the Benjamin Franklin Scholars program. They advance deep engagement with Penn’s curriculum while fulfilling general education requirements. BFS seminars have low prerequisites and introduce a breadth of content and ways of thinking. They are distinctive in both their size and intensity. BFS seminars are small in size, with classes of 20 students or fewer, and engage students in discussion-based analysis of core topics. They invite a deeper dive into a given field by engaging students in the most current scholarly debates and extensive and specialized readings, integrating knowledge across different fields, and learning by doing. They are open to all students regardless of major or school, and while BFS students are required to take three before graduation, there is no limit to how many seminars a BFS student can take.
Students grow close to their BFS faculty and often gain inspiration for future research. Students are introduced to the BFS seminars and meet their faculty beforehand at the annual Pre-Registration Dinner, giving access to content and understanding of the course in advance.
Course charts from the upcoming, current, and past semesters are available here (see Course Charts section below) to review each semester’s BFS seminar offerings. All seminar lists are also available through the BFS Canvas Page. All BFS courses are listed on Path@Penn. Select "Ben Franklin Seminars" under the "Honors Attribute" search option to find an array of possibilities and to confirm all course-related details. Questions regarding BFS seminar availability? Contact Adri Macrina, BFS Academic Coordinator.
BFS courses may count toward other requirements at Penn, including specific majors and general requirements. Your school's BFS Advisor assists students individually about how (and whether) specific BFS courses satisfy non-BFS requirements. BFS courses change from semester to semester, so if one in particular catches your eye, you are encouraged to enroll! Being in BFS does not guarantee a student space in a BFS course. Some classes fill quickly. Thirty Percent of BFS Seminars’ seats are reserved for BFS students.