New Literary History

New Literary History
Title	New Literary History
Discipline	Literary theory
Language	English
Editor	Ralph Cohen
Publisher	Johns Hopkins University Press

New Literary History is a leading international journal that publishes essays and reviews on literary theory, literary and cultural history, and philosophy of literature. Founded in 1969 by Ralph Cohen, the journal is known for its interdisciplinary approach, featuring contributions from scholars in comparative literature, cultural studies, history of literature, and critical theory. The journal has been associated with prominent scholars such as Jacques Derrida, Michel Foucault, and Fredric Jameson, and has published special issues on topics like postcolonialism, feminist theory, and queer theory. New Literary History has been influenced by the works of Walter Benjamin, Theodor Adorno, and Max Horkheimer, among others.

Introduction to New Literary History

New Literary History is a quarterly journal that aims to explore the nature of literary theory and its relationship to other disciplines, including anthropology, sociology, and psychology. The journal's editorial board has included prominent scholars like Harold Bloom, Geoffrey Hartman, and J. Hillis Miller, who have shaped the journal's focus on literary criticism and cultural analysis. New Literary History has also been influenced by the work of Northrop Frye, Ernst Cassirer, and Clifford Geertz, and has published essays on a wide range of topics, from Shakespearean studies to postmodern literature. The journal's approach is characterized by its emphasis on interdisciplinary research and its engagement with continental philosophy, particularly the work of Martin Heidegger, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Maurice Merleau-Ponty.

History of the Journal

The journal was founded in 1969 by Ralph Cohen, who served as its editor until 2009. During its early years, New Literary History published essays by prominent scholars like Lionel Trilling, Frank Kermode, and René Wellek, and established itself as a leading forum for literary theory and criticism. The journal has been published by Johns Hopkins University Press since its inception and has maintained a strong reputation for publishing innovative and provocative essays on literary and cultural topics. New Literary History has also been influenced by the work of Raymond Williams, Pierre Bourdieu, and Michel de Certeau, and has published special issues on topics like cultural studies, poststructuralism, and feminist literary theory. The journal's history is closely tied to the development of literary theory and cultural criticism in the late 20th century, and its contributors have included scholars like Terry Eagleton, Edward Said, and Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak.

Key Concepts and Theories

New Literary History has been associated with a range of key concepts and theories, including poststructuralism, deconstruction, and new historicism. The journal has published essays on topics like intertextuality, narratology, and genre theory, and has featured contributions from scholars like Gérard Genette, Tzvetan Todorov, and Paul de Man. New Literary History has also engaged with critical race theory, queer theory, and feminist theory, and has published special issues on topics like postcolonial literature and transnational literature. The journal's emphasis on interdisciplinary research has led to collaborations with scholars from anthropology, sociology, and philosophy, including Clifford Geertz, Pierre Bourdieu, and Judith Butler. The journal's approach is characterized by its emphasis on cultural critique and its engagement with continental philosophy, particularly the work of Theodor Adorno, Walter Benjamin, and Max Horkheimer.

Influence and Impact

New Literary History has had a significant influence on the development of literary theory and cultural criticism in the late 20th century. The journal's emphasis on interdisciplinary research and its engagement with continental philosophy have made it a leading forum for scholars working in comparative literature, cultural studies, and critical theory. New Literary History has also been influential in shaping the field of postcolonial studies, with contributions from scholars like Edward Said, Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, and Homi K. Bhabha. The journal's impact can be seen in the work of scholars like Terry Eagleton, Fredric Jameson, and Slavoj Žižek, who have all published essays in the journal. New Literary History has also been recognized for its contributions to feminist theory and queer theory, with special issues on topics like feminist literary theory and queer literature.

Notable Contributors and Editors

New Literary History has featured contributions from a wide range of notable scholars, including Jacques Derrida, Michel Foucault, and Fredric Jameson. The journal's editorial board has included prominent scholars like Harold Bloom, Geoffrey Hartman, and J. Hillis Miller, who have shaped the journal's focus on literary criticism and cultural analysis. Other notable contributors have included Terry Eagleton, Edward Said, and Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, who have all published essays on topics like postcolonialism, feminist theory, and queer theory. The journal's current editor, Ralph Cohen, has been instrumental in shaping the journal's focus on interdisciplinary research and its engagement with continental philosophy. New Literary History has also published essays by scholars like Judith Butler, Slavoj Žižek, and Homi K. Bhabha, who have all made significant contributions to the field of cultural criticism.

Criticism and Controversies

New Literary History has been subject to criticism and controversy over the years, particularly with regards to its emphasis on theory and its perceived lack of engagement with practical criticism. Some scholars have criticized the journal for its focus on continental philosophy and its neglect of Anglo-American philosophy, while others have argued that the journal's emphasis on interdisciplinary research has led to a lack of depth and specialization. Despite these criticisms, New Literary History remains a leading forum for literary theory and cultural criticism, and its influence can be seen in the work of scholars across a range of disciplines, from comparative literature to cultural studies. The journal's engagement with critical theory and its emphasis on cultural critique have made it a key player in shaping the field of literary theory and cultural criticism in the late 20th century. New Literary History has also been recognized for its contributions to feminist theory and queer theory, and its special issues on topics like postcolonial literature and transnational literature have been widely acclaimed.

Category:Literary journals