PHIL 291 - The Vassar College Journal of Philosophy

0.5 unit(s)

The intensive provides students with support in selecting a thematic focus for the yearly issue of the Journal. It also guides them through the various stages of the process of blind-reviewing submissions. In most cases, the four essays that are accepted for publication are sent back to the authors for revisions and then go through a final round of edits before being published. The students also become familiar with the scholarly book review genre. They commission and/or write themselves two books reviews, which go through a rigorous editing process. Finally, after studying the genre of the scholarly interview, they conduct one themselves, meeting with a distinguished scholar on the theme of the Journal, gathering their thoughts and responses, transcribing the materials, editing it in a suitable way, and gaining the scholar’s agreement to publish it. Throughout the year, students disseminate the Call for Papers and promote the visibility of the Journal on professional venues while managing the coordination of tasks among the members of the Editorial Board, which is typically comprised of five to seven Philosophy Majors. The rhythm and duration of meetings change throughout the year based on the stage of production of the publication. We meet every two weeks, but at some key times, typically in connection with the finalizing of the manuscript and the editing of the essays, book-reviews, and interview, we spend as long as a whole afternoon together. Enrollment is by permission of the instructor. The intensive is intended for the Editors-in-Chief of the Journal, and is open to two more students from the Editorial Board (most likely the Editors of the Book Review section). Giovanna Borradori.

Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.

Not offered in 2024/25.

Course Format: INT