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Academic journals such as UHV’ symplokē garner respect for universities
By TimHudson in Hudson On Higher Learning
October 15, 2009

University professors, by definition, are experts in their fields. They’ve often spent a lifetime and poured considerable intellectual energy into steeping themselves in the body of knowledge that comprises a particular discipline. Of course, they carry the academic credentials, such as a Ph.D., which prove just that – at least to the satisfaction of a group of similarly knowledgeable peers. In theory, the more professors understand their field, the more able they are to impart fresh insights and understanding to students, others in their field and related fields, and society.

The efforts professors make to explain the insights they gain through “research” – often an arduous and time-consuming process of uncovering information, setting it in context, testing its validity, interpreting it in light of information turned up by others, and, ideally, producing new insights, some perhaps rising to significant revelations or the debunking of long-held “truths” – are more often than not communicated through writing published in journals designed for that very purpose. Some would argue that, indeed, a university professor has an obligation to engage in this process, that this creation of new insights or knowledge, this collation of knowledge into more useful forms, and the communication of all of the above is one of the roles assigned to university professors by society. Police enforce the law; professors interpret, create and communicate knowledge.

Now, it will be no surprise to you that at “prestigious” universities, you often find journals devoted to a particular field. In fact, one of the hallmarks of universities perceived to be on the cutting edge of knowledge is the presence of academic journals “housed” or “edited” on campus. For example, many law schools even put their name in the title of the journal. It is the HARVARD Law Review and the YALE Journal of International Law. Journals garner recognition for universities since through them, they become an acknowledged locus for advanced knowledge/research/scholarship in a particular area.

So, it is no mean feat, and I would argue a sign of our advancing maturity, that here at UHV we are “home” to just such a journal – symplokē, edited by School of Arts and Sciences Dean Jeffrey Di Leo, (who, btw, also edits and publishes the American Book Review from Victoria). Symplokē (www.symploke.org) describes itself as a journal of “contemporary theory and literature.” The latest biannual edition featured 15 articles from professors from the likes of the University of Connecticut, Brunel (UK) University, Temple University and Whitman College – all of whom submitted their work to Di Leo at UHV just like scores of others whose work did not make the “cut” after evaluation by peers from throughout the world. (Although “Confessions of a Masked Philosopher” by U.N. Florida’s Nicholas de Villiers might surprise you.) But my point is that UHV is increasingly on the “map” in the intellectual enterprise we call higher education. Valuing, supporting and housing academic journals is an important part of that process.

Are there any practical payoffs? Sure. For one thing, our growing notoriety helps us compete for talent. During the past couple of years, the number and quality of applicants (remember practically ALL of them hold Ph.D.s from universities throughout the U.S. and the world) for our faculty positions have increased dramatically. We are attracting top-flight talent to UHV – individuals like Guggenheim prize recipient Dagoberto Gilb and Victoria Advocate Endowed Professor of the Humanities Macarena Hernández. In the final analysis, the beneficiaries will be our students and society. And, oh yes, it helps expand our vocabulary. Do YOU know what symplokē means?