Roundtable: The Role of Period Journals in Chinese Studies

Organizer and Chair: Hugh R. Clark, Ursinus College

Discussants: William T. Rowe, John s Hopkins University; Kathleen Ryor, Carleton College; Paul W. Kroll, University of Colorado; Cynthia L. Chennault, University of Florida; Robin D.S. Yates, McGill University, Canada

A roundtable discussion involving Hugh R. Clark (Journal of Song Yuan Studies, Chair), William T. Rowe (Late Imperial China), Kathleen M. Ryor (Ming Studies), Paul W. Kroll (T’ang Studies), Cynthia Chennault (Early Medieval China), Robin Yates (Early China):

The proposal arises out of a dialog within the editorial board of the Journal of Song Yuan Studies on the value of period journals dividing their coverage into such strictly defined dynastic periods when so much of our research has moved away from the dynastic construct toward approaches that use different approaches to periodization.  As current scholarship recognizes, for example, developments of the Song and Yuan are inextricably linked to antecedents in the Tang and established precedents for the Ming and even Qing. This is true for all dynastic periods.

The journal editors listed above have agreed that an open discussion of the role our journals play is due. There is no resolved agenda in proposing this – we are not even sure any change is called for.  All our journals have established reputations, and are editorially and financially sound.  What we have agreed is that an open discussion about the niches such journals fill, the best ways for existing journals to complement each other – especially as dynastic boundaries become less central to our inquiries, the dis/advantages of on-line distribution, and how we might best serve our established communities and the graduate students coming into the profession could benefit us all.