The Tufts Historical Review is now accepting submissions for Vol. XVI: Devotion! The window for submissions closes on February 14th 2023, so make sure to email your paper to tuftshistoricalreview@gmail.com soon. Before sending an email, please review our criteria for papers, which can be found on the ‘Submissions’ tab on our website. For inspiration on how to interpret the theme, read the “Call For Submissions” attached below.
From the Office of the Editor:
The editorial board of the Tufts Historical Review has selected Devotion as the theme for this year’s journal. The commitment to an ideal that is at the heart of devotion has been a driving force throughout history. At first, devotion might conjure the idea of religious fervor and strict adherence to a certain faith, however, humanity’s devotion has taken many forms beyond the religious: personal, political, ideological.
Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam saw the intersection of ideological and religious devotion through their commitment to black liberation rooted in Islamic values. Through the religious enthusiasm that swept across America in the 18th century, the Second Great Awakening impacted the landscape of American churches. Politically, devotion to leaders can dramatically shape the path of countries and regions. Gamal Abdel Nasser’s devoted and consistent popular support for his vision of Arab nationalism marked Egypt’s national identity and started a movement which left a lasting impact on the history of the region. Conversely, devotion to malicious ideologies can push people and nations to cause widespread suffering such as the colonial exploits of European powers across the globe.
Our innate drive to shape the world around us is realized through steadfastness and dedication. Every major cultural, political, and ideological transformation is rooted in one or many individuals’ devotion to a person, idea, or cause. This earnest pursuit of change is inextricably linked to both the human psyche and the progress of history.