Political Science Journal Joins Library of CLA Student Publications
The Political Science, English and History Departments all produce academic journals, featuring the work of students.
When papers are returned after an assignment and students ponder the hard work that went into writing them, they might wonder if there’s a way to legitimately share those ideas with others. In an effort to give new purpose to what students do in class every day, several CLA departments have developed undergraduate journals as publication outlets for students.
Paideia is the new Political Science Department student journal.
Political Science Department — Paideia
The newest CLA student journal, Paideia — from the Greek for moral self-development — is a Political Science Department publication that debuted in May.
Created by political science seniors Katelyn Magnus and Joi Sullivan, the journal includes alumni profiles and student work from their first through last years at Cal Poly, giving readers insight into the student writers’ development. Readers can experience how students’ thinking develops as they become exposed to different ideas, cultures and lifestyles, giving meaning to the journal’s name and its focus on personal development.
“Throughout our time here as political science students, we are trying to build our core beliefs. You come to school with certain beliefs, and they’re challenged, knocked down and rebuilt. We’re developing our own personal beliefs as we go through this program,” Magnus said.
Magnus and Sullivan planned their publication to serve as a testament to the hard work and serious introspection of political science students on campus.
The Forum explores the complexity of history as a discipline.
History Department — The Forum
The Forum, the History Department’s student journal, was created in 2008 to showcase student endeavors in exploring the complexity of the discipline.
First and foremost a historical journal, the publication seeks to serve as a testament to the multidisciplinary aspect of the department’s vision, showing how historical work is relevant and valuable in disciplines across campus. It aims to present the work of students beyond the department and college by offering an open-submission process.
The journal’s title, The Forum, represents the discipline’s belief that it develops through communication, debate and continuous conversation — that history does not stand alone.
Including approximately seven student articles, the journal covers a diverse set of topics that shows the wide-reaching impact of the discipline. The spring 2014 issue features essays on topics ranging from the impact of the New York City hardcore punk and straight-edge community to Perestroika propaganda in the Soviet Foreign Press.
The publication is a reminder to the campus community that history is more than an examination of the past, contemplated in solitude. Rather, the area of study is interactive and invigorated with urgency and modern purpose.
Byzantium is a well-established journal where
students' creative writing continues to flourish.
English Department — Byzantium
Established in 1990, the English Department’s student publication, Byzantium, provides a space for students of literature and composition to publish poems, short stories, and other creative works. The journal celebrates some of the university’s best poets and writers, as well as the dynamic creative efforts of the Cal Poly English majors who work to put the publication together.
Each year, two English majors are chosen as co-editors and are responsible for the publication, including editing, fundraising, design, distribution, and coordination of the final reading celebration. Carly Demetre and Jenna Korver were selected as co-editors and collaborated with student art director Bryn Hobson (art & design) to produce the 24th edition of the annual in 2014.
Writing selections are chosen from the university’s annual Al Landwehr Creative Writing Contest, which receives submissions from undergraduate and graduate students from throughout the university. Two separate judging committees — one for poetry, one for fiction — comprised of English Department faculty members read the entries blind. This year, professors John Bartel, Brad Campbell and Dustin Stegner judged the poetry, while professors Carol Curiel, Erin Martin-Elston and Jonathan Gotsik judged the fiction.
See a list of this year’s Al Landwehr Creative Writing Contest winners featured in Byzantium.
Contact the individual departments for more information about current and past issues of the featured publications.