Under the direction of Greg Fisher, a group of four Greek and Roman Studies students have recently launched an on-line journal. Corvus, the Latin word for raven, explores a range of topics pertaining to classical civilization.
Launched in January 2010, the inaugural edition features papers written on topics ranging from foreign policy in antiquity to the interpretations of Mark Antony’s character and influences. Intended as a resource for scholars, the journal is also easily accessible to lay audiences with an interest in the classics. Tristan Wicks, who will be entering his second year in Greek and Roman Studies, took on the challenge as the main editor of the fledgling journal.
A call for submissions circulated within the College of the Humanities resulted in 12 papers. Of these, four were included in the first edition.
“I think that Corvus can provide an incentive for students to strive for a better quality in their papers which might otherwise be read only by their profs and then be shuffled under the growing pile of papers ‘written during my BA’ which will likely never see the light of day again,” said Wicks.
Editing the journal also provides him with an opportunity to learn from his peers, Wicks says. Not only has he been exposed to other interpretations of ancient texts in which he has “steeped” himself, the journal is also a platform for Carleton students to contribute to the broader academic community.
However, the editors aim to engage and provide a forum for students beyond the Carleton campus and will solicit submissions from Greek and Roman Studies departments across Canada.
“I should like to emphasize Tristan’s role and indeed the wider role of the students – this is really a student initiative, even if the idea came from faculty,” said Fisher, professor of Greek and Roman Studies, College of the Humanities. “Without Tristan in particular this would not have got off the ground.”
Fisher and Wicks plan to produce a print edition of the journal in the coming year. A call for submissions will be made twice yearly to coincide with the beginning of the fall and winter terms.
For a look at Carleton’s other raven visit http://wicks.ca/Corvusjournal/Corvusjournal/Home.html