Guidelines for Proposals: Humanities and Public Life

Overview

This series aims to create a collection of excellent books that document the exciting publicly engaged projects in which artists and humanities scholars, especially in college and university settings, are working with community partners and cultural institutions to produce new knowledge while also contributing to the public good. Series books describe various forms of the humanities in practice and help illuminate how a project or projects challenge and potentially expand both public and academic audiences’ assumptions about the humanities. Books in the series address this issue very directly—reflecting on what “the humanities” does and could mean for the twenty-first century and returning to this question at appropriate moments throughout the text. The tension between academic and public humanities offers one powerful lens through which to examine publicly engaged projects. Below, we outline objectives for our series and offer advice to authors interested in submitting proposals. We look forward to learning more about the many exciting projects underway.

Goals for the Series

Advice to Authors Submitting Proposals to the Humanities in Public Life Series

We welcome (5-10 page) proposals from scholars and practitioners involved with publicly engaged humanities projects. Strong proposals strike a fine balance between reflection and analysis of the project’s significance and impact, on one hand, and the “story” of the project as it unfolded, on the other hand. We hope authors will develop an argument about the nature and possibilities for the humanities and the role the humanities can play in addressing social issues, strengthening communities, and deepening understanding. In addition, we encourage authors to consider ways to involve multiple partners and a variety of voices that represent the project, but without sacrificing a coherent narrative. We appreciate volumes that include multiple writers but suggest that authors think carefully about how the book will be organized, what role each writer will play, and who will act as the lead writer.

When submitting a proposal, please include the following information.

Project Narrative

General description of the book’s purpose and content, including description of the project and its impact. Please keep these questions in mind as you draft this section.

Impact—audiences, outcomes

The Book

The series welcomes authors’ ideas for innovative design and format elements. Describe the format, audience, length, and special features, including illustrations (projected number, black and white or color).

Format

Market for the Book

Timetable for Completion

Please comment explicitly on your timeline. At what stage are you in the process of writing the book? When do you anticipate having a completed manuscript available for review?

Expertise

Please include a two-page vitae or resume for the principal authors.

Reviewers

Provide a list of possible expert readers, with an email address for contacting them, if possible. Please note their qualifications and previous association with you, if any.