Emergence, an undergraduate journal of literary research, criticism, and creative works, serves as an invaluable publication outlet for undergraduate students and their independent or faculty-guided projects. Works published in Emergence give undergraduates the opportunity to present their extensive research to a broader academic audience and gain valuable experience in having research reviewed, edited, and published. Made possible by alumnus John Arnhold and run by second-year Arnhold Fellows, the vision of Emergence is to foster undergraduate creativity, initiative, and scholarship. By encouraging an interdisciplinary and intersectional approach to scholarship, the works in past, present, and hopefully future volumes of Emergence feature a wide variety of themes, genres, perspectives, and mediums.
In this volume, we offer three broad themes of “past, present, & future” to provide a frame for contextualizing the pieces and their significance. “Past” examines historically situated literature, or analyzes literary themes and trends from a historical perspective, connecting past works and themes to the present moment. These works provide valuable insights into how past works affect the present in more ways than mere literary trends. “Present” encompasses works that deal with current issues and current literature or modes, including but not limited to fiction, film, television, fanfiction, online media, and music. In critically examining the current moment, these works encourage us to think about the daily influences and importance of literary and cultural analysis. “Future” uses past and present literature and media to consider the direction and dilemmas of the future. From speculative fiction to legislation, works dealing with futurity purport there are applicable lessons to be learned from literary analysis that apply to upcoming social, political, and legal issues.
Emergence allows undergraduates, through their written works and as second-year Arnhold Fellows, to have a public space and presence. From hands-on experience managing an online journal to creating a community of like-minded peers, Emergence fosters undergraduate success within and beyond the university. Whether looking ahead to graduate school, making the most of the undergraduate experience, or simply passionately engaging in writing, the authors in this journal demonstrate diversity, vitality, and academic vigor in each of their works. With all this in mind, we hope you enjoy the seventh volume of Emergence as much as we have enjoyed putting it together.
Sincerely,
The Emergence 2017-2018 Staff
Allison Graydon, Publicity and Communications Director
— English and History Major
Casey Coffee, Chief Copy-Editor
— English Major, Feminist Studies and Professional Writing Minor
Gia Jung, Artistic Director
— English Major, Labor Studies Minor
Juliet Way-Henthorne, Chief Copy-Editor
— English Major, Professional Writing Minor
Kateri Ransom, Copy-Editor
— English Major
Monique Bolsajian, Digital Editor
— English and Global Studies Major