88 I Academics 'Tenor of Our Times' Department of History creates Harding's first student history journal Proofreading the manuscript of Harding's student history journal, seniors Mallory Pratt and Holly Tidwell discuss improvements Oct. 24. The journal was published and distributed at the history banquet in April. Ashe/ Parsons est1954 Department of History 6 majors 114 faculty I 61 courses est.1924 Department of English 2 majors 115 faculty I 39 courses est1924 Department of Foreign Language 5 majors 1 9 faculty 1 90 courses I n January 2012, Associate Professor of History Dr. Julie Harris and three students created Harding's first student history journal titled 'Tenor of Our Times," a phrase often used by influential former professor Dr. Fred Jewell. The journal contained essays written by students, but alumni were welcome to contribute too. The journal, published every April and available in the Brackett Library, was student edited and student assembled. "We've been producing some really excellent work, and I wanted to provide a way for them to publish," Harris said. "The things we are producing are worthy of publication." Submitted papers went through three groups of editors: main student editors, a student editorial board and a faculty editorial board. Mallory Pratt, senior English and history major, served as editor since the journal began. Pratt said that student journals were common for larger schools, and the fact that Harding's small history department could publish a journal with fewer resources gained the university academic respect. 'This is a prime example of the quality of work that everyone else [other schools] is doing," Pratt said. "And that, I think, boosts everyone that reads the journal's standards for themselves, and it boosts their confidence in what the department is doing." Junior history major Zachary Strietelmeier was another editor for "Tenor of Our Times.". Strietelmeier said that the journal was significant to the university because it sparked interest in the history department. Readers were able to investigate and to learn through other students' writing. In addition, the department hoped the publishing opportunity would attract more writers. Harris said she hoped to attract students from other departments to the journal and to start a scholarship or contest for high school students. Strietelmeier said the essays usually came from upperlevel history students. The essays were 10-25 pages long and covered a broad range of historical topics. If the essay discussed any element of history and fit the page limit, it was given consideration for publication. Pratt said she hoped the journal would mature into something professional that included more essays and content such as book reviews. The students who participated in the journal gained practical experience that, for some, helped them gain an internship or job. For example, 2012 alumna Elinor Renner, received a prestigious internship at the Heritage Foundation due to her involvement in the journal as both author and editor. "I'm watching these students mature into scholars who can think and think on their own and make sound scholarly decisions," Harris said. "I may have to suggest a couple of questions here and there, but I'm not making this choice. They are." Lyndsey Ruble
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc5NA==