History Journal
Check out the most recent issue! 2023-2024 History Journal “Horses and Jockeys: Identity and the Destruction of Culture"
What Is the History Journal?
The Sonoma State History Journal is the Department of History and Politics’ award-winning, student-run academic journal. Founded in 1995, the Journal has been produced continuously by Sonoma State students for nearly three decades and serves as a professional development opportunity for both undergraduate and graduate students.
Each year, the editorial team solicits, reviews, edits, and publishes a journal composed entirely of original student research and creative work with a historical component. The Journal provides a public platform for students to demonstrate advanced research, writing, and editorial skills while engaging in the full process of academic publication.
The Journal regularly features work by students majoring in history, anthropology, archaeology, political science, and related fields. The most recent addition, as well as our entire catalog, can be accessed here.
History Journal Submissions
The editorial board invites students from across the university to submit original work of any genre or style that engages historical questions, methods, or themes. Now in its twenty-ninth year, the Journal welcomes a wide range of submissions, including:
- Research papers (including revised course papers)
- Poetry
- Photo essays and photography
- Book reviews (750–1,000 words)
- Film reviews (approximately 750 words)
- Artwork with a historical dimension
To submit work, please complete the online submission form or send submissions directly to: [email protected]
HIST 496 – History Journal
HIST 496: History Journal is the experiential and applied course through which the Journal is produced. The editorial team is made up by students who meet as a class to manage every stage of scholarly journal publication, including editorial decision-making, anonymous peer review, copy editing, layout, budgeting, production, sales, and distribution. Students enrolled in HIST 496 gain hands-on experience in academic publishing while working collaboratively to produce a professional journal authored and edited by students themselves. The course emphasizes research literacy, editorial judgment, collaboration, and public-facing scholarship.
Awards and Recognition
The Sonoma State History Journal has received national recognition for excellence in student publishing. In 2025, the Journal was awarded First Prize in the Graduate Print category at the Nash History Journal Competition, sponsored by Phi Alpha Theta.
The award announcement can be viewed on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DRcmgs1jkDp/
Contact Information
For further information, submission questions, or inquiries about joining the editorial team, please contact:
Professor Samuel Cohen
Department of History and Politics
[email protected]