The Minnesota Review
Encyclopedia
The Minnesota Review is a literary and cultural studies
journal which places a special emphasis on politically engaged criticism, fiction
and poetry
. Issues are often "themed," recent issues examining the nature of academic publishing, of academic celebrity and of "smart" working class kids' experiences as adults or children within the educational system. First published in 1960.
. Some of the early editors were from Macalester College
, but early issues have a disclaimer against affiliation with any university. The journal was oriented toward publishing avant garde fiction, poetry, and graphic work. It moved to New York City
in 1970 under the editorship of the poet Alvin Greenberg. In 1973 it moved again, edited by Roger Mitchell
, to Indiana University
, beginning with n.s. 1. During the 70s Fredric Jameson
was one of the associate editors. In 1982, with n.s. 18, the journal moved to Oregon State University
, edited by Fred Pfeil
and Michael Sprinker
and began to acquire the Marxist
overtones and emphasis on literary theory
for which it would later be known. In 1986 it moved to the State University of New York at Stony Brook
under Sprinker's editorship. In 1992 Sprinker turned the editorship over to Jeffrey Williams, starting with ns 39, while Williams was at East Carolina University
. The journal moved to the University of Missouri
in Columbia
in 1998 and to Carnegie Mellon University
in Pittsburgh in 2004, remaining under Williams' editorship, and moving from out-and-out Marxism to politically conscious cultural studies.
Cultural studies
Cultural studies is an academic field grounded in critical theory and literary criticism. It generally concerns the political nature of contemporary culture, as well as its historical foundations, conflicts, and defining traits. It is, to this extent, largely distinguished from cultural...
journal which places a special emphasis on politically engaged criticism, fiction
Fiction
Fiction is the form of any narrative or informative work that deals, in part or in whole, with information or events that are not factual, but rather, imaginary—that is, invented by the author. Although fiction describes a major branch of literary work, it may also refer to theatrical,...
and poetry
Poetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
. Issues are often "themed," recent issues examining the nature of academic publishing, of academic celebrity and of "smart" working class kids' experiences as adults or children within the educational system. First published in 1960.
History
The Minnesota Review began in 1960 in MinnesotaMinnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
. Some of the early editors were from Macalester College
Macalester College
Macalester College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It was founded in 1874 as a Presbyterian-affiliated but nonsectarian college. Its first class entered September 15, 1885. The college is located on a campus in a historic residential neighborhood...
, but early issues have a disclaimer against affiliation with any university. The journal was oriented toward publishing avant garde fiction, poetry, and graphic work. It moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1970 under the editorship of the poet Alvin Greenberg. In 1973 it moved again, edited by Roger Mitchell
Roger Mitchell
Roger Mitchell was a Scottish accountant. He jointly founded Marwick, Mitchell & Co., one of the predecessor firms to KPMG, the leading international firm of accountants in 1897 with James Marwick, a fellow Scot who already practised in New York City...
, to Indiana University
Indiana University Bloomington
Indiana University Bloomington is a public research university located in Bloomington, Indiana, in the United States. IU Bloomington is the flagship campus of the Indiana University system. Being the flagship campus, IU Bloomington is often referred to simply as IU or Indiana...
, beginning with n.s. 1. During the 70s Fredric Jameson
Fredric Jameson
Fredric Jameson is an American literary critic and Marxist political theorist. He is best known for his analysis of contemporary cultural trends—he once described postmodernism as the spatialization of culture under the pressure of organized capitalism...
was one of the associate editors. In 1982, with n.s. 18, the journal moved to Oregon State University
Oregon State University
Oregon State University is a coeducational, public research university located in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees and a multitude of research opportunities. There are more than 200 academic degree programs offered through the...
, edited by Fred Pfeil
Fred Pfeil
John Frederick Pfeil was an American literary critic and novelist. Pfeil was born September 21 in Port Allegany, Pennsylvania. He earned an undergraduate degree at Amherst College in 1971 and an M.A. at Stanford University in 1973...
and Michael Sprinker
Michael Sprinker
Michael Sprinker was a literary critic known for his writings on Louis Althusser, Walter Benjamin and Bertolt Brecht, among others, as well as for his editorial work at Verso, Cambridge University Press, the New Left Review and The Minnesota Review...
and began to acquire the Marxist
Marxism
Marxism is an economic and sociopolitical worldview and method of socioeconomic inquiry that centers upon a materialist interpretation of history, a dialectical view of social change, and an analysis and critique of the development of capitalism. Marxism was pioneered in the early to mid 19th...
overtones and emphasis on literary theory
Literary theory
Literary theory in a strict sense is the systematic study of the nature of literature and of the methods for analyzing literature. However, literary scholarship since the 19th century often includes—in addition to, or even instead of literary theory in the strict sense—considerations of...
for which it would later be known. In 1986 it moved to the State University of New York at Stony Brook
State University of New York at Stony Brook
The State University of New York at Stony Brook, also known as Stony Brook University, is a public research university located in Stony Brook, New York, on the North Shore of Long Island, about east of Manhattan....
under Sprinker's editorship. In 1992 Sprinker turned the editorship over to Jeffrey Williams, starting with ns 39, while Williams was at East Carolina University
East Carolina University
East Carolina University is a public, coeducational, engaged doctoral/research university located in Greenville, North Carolina, United States. Named East Carolina University by statute and commonly known as ECU or East Carolina, the university is the largest institution of higher learning in...
. The journal moved to the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
in Columbia
Columbia, Missouri
Columbia is the fifth-largest city in Missouri, and the largest city in Mid-Missouri. With a population of 108,500 as of the 2010 Census, it is the principal municipality of the Columbia Metropolitan Area, a region of 164,283 residents. The city serves as the county seat of Boone County and as the...
in 1998 and to Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University is a private research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States....
in Pittsburgh in 2004, remaining under Williams' editorship, and moving from out-and-out Marxism to politically conscious cultural studies.
Editors
- Sarah Foster & Neil Myers (early 60s)
- Roy Arthur Swanson (mid/late 60s)
- Alvin Greenberg (1967–1973)
- Roger MitchellRoger MitchellRoger Mitchell was a Scottish accountant. He jointly founded Marwick, Mitchell & Co., one of the predecessor firms to KPMG, the leading international firm of accountants in 1897 with James Marwick, a fellow Scot who already practised in New York City...
(1973–1982)
- Fred PfeilFred PfeilJohn Frederick Pfeil was an American literary critic and novelist. Pfeil was born September 21 in Port Allegany, Pennsylvania. He earned an undergraduate degree at Amherst College in 1971 and an M.A. at Stanford University in 1973...
& Michael SprinkerMichael SprinkerMichael Sprinker was a literary critic known for his writings on Louis Althusser, Walter Benjamin and Bertolt Brecht, among others, as well as for his editorial work at Verso, Cambridge University Press, the New Left Review and The Minnesota Review...
(1982–1986) - Michael SprinkerMichael SprinkerMichael Sprinker was a literary critic known for his writings on Louis Althusser, Walter Benjamin and Bertolt Brecht, among others, as well as for his editorial work at Verso, Cambridge University Press, the New Left Review and The Minnesota Review...
(1986–1992) - Jeffrey WilliamsJeffrey WilliamsJeffrey Nels Williams is a retired United States Army officer and a NASA astronaut. He is a veteran of three space flights.- Early life and education :...
(1992-2010) - Janell Watson (2010-present)
Locations
- Minnesota (1960–1970)
- NYC (1970–1973)
- Indiana University (1973–1982)
- Oregon State University (1982–1986)
- SUNY-Stony Brook (1986–1992)
- East Carolina University (1992–1998)
- University of Missouri (1998–2004)
- Carnegie Mellon University (2004-2010)
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) (2010-)