During the spring of 2012, the history department published the first volume of their history journal, “Tenor of Our Times,” which they plan on publishing annually.
“‘The Tenor of Our Times’ is a phrase (that was) used often by Dr. Raymond Muncy, who was chairman of the history department until right before his death,” associate professor of history Dr. Julie Harris said. “He was fond of saying historians reflect the tenor of their times.”
According to Harris, the journal is a publication of students’ historical works. It is entirely student-edited and student-written and contains research papers on various historical subjects. The purpose of the journal is to broaden historical knowledge among students and to give them a way to hone their skills.
“It’s a chance and an opportunity for students in the history department specifically to get their papers published and to have (the) practice of having other people critique and edit their papers,” said Holly Tidwell, a senior history major and editor.
The publication issued a call for papers for the second volume in October of last year and has taken submissions from current students as well as Harding alumni since then. The last deadline for submission for this second volume was Feb. 1.
“Right now we have eight in, and we’re going to get a couple more right before and after the deadline,” senior editor-in-chief Mallory Pratt said. “But we are not just trying to pad up a bigger booklet. We’re going to choose the quality papers.”
Tidwell defines a quality paper as one that shows there has been a considerable amount of research. This means that the sources are going to be credible and their writing will reflect the author’s knowledge of their subject.
According to Pratt, the fact that students compile a journal signifies the quality of research both in the department and the university.
“Even within the Harding community, we’re able to say we have a presence on campus,” Pratt said. “We may be small but we do our work and we are good at what we do and we’re passionate about what we study.”
Pratt said she often asks herself a question, “Why are we here in school if not to excel?” She said she believes this is just one arena where they can help history and political science students excel and grow.
“This is part of academic excellence as well as personal growth,” Pratt said. “And that is my motivation.”
