Etienne Jacquot

Favorite philosophy course:

My favorite philosophy course was probably Philosophy of Mind (both 300 & 400 levels), as Dr Miracchi & Dr Purpura respectively challenged the way I understood the external world and my internal relationship to it. Both professors are amazing and have made a lasting impact on my subjective experience.

Favorite non-philosophy course:

My favorite non-philosophy course was an urban studies course, Liberation & Ownership with Prof Lamas. This course encouraged critical thinking through a commitment to radical accessibility. In exposing the flattened dimensions & inherent contradictions at UPenn / USA / Western Capitalism, this course was equal parts subversive & inspiring.

Groups you were involved with at Penn:

I am a staff member at the Annenberg School for Communication, so honestly I never got involved with student groups around campus… Working 9-5 plus taking two night classes for nearly 4 years straight (summers included!) left me with little time or energy to participate in extracurricular activities… That being said, I don’t feel like I missed out on the ugrad experience as working with various groups at Annenberg is both a pleasure & privilege.

Post-graduation plans:

Given the COVID pandemic I’m not sure what my post-graduation plans are… However, I do anticipate going to grad school at some point in my life. Either a masters degree in something IT related so I can eventually make an inflated salary in the private sector, or a PhD in something meaningful such that I can continue work in the public sector / higher education. These are longer term plans, short term is to just relax and be.

Favorite Penn memory:

My favorite Penn memories are numerous, but one set of memories which always comes to mind stems from the only course at Penn which I thought was legitimately difficult, this was Dr Weinstein’s Philosophy of Logic… I have some really special memories of challenging myself in the library to study & learn the material, but at times this truly felt hopeless… In pushing myself to wrap my head around the world of logic, I would listen to Stereolab and observe the tremendous organic wool art piece which spans the study hall. Something about this combination of beautiful sounds, visuals, and intense cognition produced profound experiences of dissociating from this corporeal flesh prison of American life. In this I felt an ephemeral oneness in understanding the logic which constrains our universe. These are memories I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.