Students power new humanities journal

Nearly 400 article submissions later, “Illumination” is set for its debut.

The premier issue of UW–Madison’s undergraduate-produced journal of the humanities will be out late this month, with an accompanying Web site.

Conceptualized by Adam Blackbourn, a senior from La Crosse majoring in history, “Illumination” will broaden the reach of work done by undergraduates in the humanities.

“Students spend at least four years of their life and thousands of dollars in tuition fees and living expenses. Unfortunately, most of the superb work that students do while attending this university is lost, having been seen only by the student and the teacher. Graduate students and professionals have numerous opportunities to publish their work – undergraduates have almost none. ‘Illumination’ provides them with an opportunity to publish,” Blackbourn says.

He says that one of the journal’s main objectives is to offer an academically rigorous, yet approachable and entertaining vehicle to communicate ideas. The inaugural issue includes essays, literature and art ranging from literary criticism, history, philosophy and disability studies to gay and transgender studies, political science and more. A special feature, Blackbourn says, is the Wisconsin Idea section, which highlights the outreach work that those involved with the humanities on campus do.

He points out that “Illumination” will provide students with far more than a leg up on graduate school. “The students who work on the journal will gain important experience and an opportunity for a practical application of skills like editing, publishing, marketing, design and layout,” he says.

A seven-student editorial board steers the content and design of “Illumination,” while 11 faculty and staff advise. One of them is Ken Frazier, director of UW’s General Library System.

“These students have amazing focus, energy and resourcefulness when they set a goal that engages their passion. They worked long hours, hit their deadlines, solved problems and recovered from setbacks,” he says, adding that the proof of their commitment is right on the page.

“‘Illumination’ is handsome, smart and not stuffy. It has a nice balance of text and images. The graphic artwork wonderfully represents the rich, diverse art-related programs at UW–Madison. The essays, fiction and poetry too are all over the campus map. This is the kind of periodical that anyone would pick up and browse,” Frazier says.

“Illumination” faculty adviser Kathleen Sell, a senior lecturer in UW–Madison’s Integrated Liberal Studies program, says the next step is a critical one, and it will be to keep the momentum flowing.

“Illumination is truly student-powered, and the students have worked very hard on it. The project has taken off beautifully,” she says. “They now need to widen circulation, find stable funding sources and keep this journal going long term.”

Blackbourn is optimistic about that. The reason, he says, perhaps from his historian’s perspective, is the legacy that he hopes “Illumination” will leave future generations of students. “We hope to provide a personal and intimate snapshot of UW–Madison in the 21st century,” he says.

A print version of “Illumination” will be sent to key students, faculty and staff, alumni and representatives of other institutions. To request a copy, contact Blackbourn at (608) 219-9795 or atblackbourn@wisc.edu.