Startup History Journal Seeks Submissions

Armstrong's history department will soon begin publishing its bi-annual Undergraduate Journal of History. The academic journal will provide students with the opportunity to have their historical essays, research, and book reviews published. It will also allow students to become accustomed to the editing, proofreading, and submission process to help them in getting work published after college.

The journal will be a digital publication. Its editors hope to release the first issue in March.

Assistant Professor of History, Hongjie Wang, the faculty advisor for the journal, chose a panel of undergraduate student editors to help piece the publication together.

"I gathered five good students and asked them what they thought of this idea," Wang said. "They were eager and excited to help get this project started."

History major, Halton Thomson, is one of the student editors.

"I was approached by Dr. Wang, and he asked me if I wanted to be a part of it," Thomson said. "I enjoy writing and looking at other people's writing and reading, so I thought that it was an opportunity that I shouldn't pass up."

Thomson fully supports the idea of having undergraduate student editors for this journal rather than faculty members.

"If it is an undergraduate journal, then it seems like it would be encouraged to have undergraduates be a part of it," Thomson said. "It's a way of including undergraduates rather than having a division between faculty and students like normally found in the classroom setting."

Lisa Bringhurst, a history minor, also jumped on the chance to be a part of the editing process.

"I thought it was a great opportunity for me as a student to take part in something that contributed to my academic endeavors," Bringhurst said. "Since I am a history minor, I thought it would help me with my skills in the future, since I plan on hopefully being an editor one day."

Submissions for the first issue of this journal are due by March 1. Thomson and Bringhurst encourage students of all majors to submit their work.

"It can challenge undergraduates to work harder on their papers in hopes of being published," Thomson said. "Don't be intimidated by not thinking your work is good enough to be published. You might surprise yourself."

"Because submissions aren't limited just to history majors, the journal offers any Armstrong student the chance to contribute," Bringhurst said. "You're never going to know how good you are until you give it a shot," she said. "It's a great opportunity to get your hard efforts in a journal. It's very satisfying."

Thomson believes that the journal will have a major impact on the university.

"It might bring people to read, but it also gets the word out to people about Armstrong and its achievements," he said. "It may get people who are interested in history to come to Armstrong."

Bringhurst agrees. "I think it's going to have a tremendous impact," she said. "It's just a great opportunity for AASU students to show their skills in writing and academic research."

Wang has high hopes that the journal will help build the skills of students who become involved.

"It will teach them not only how to be a good scholar, but also how to be a good writer," he said. "It's not only a journal to be published, but a vehicle where they can learn."