Overview
This literary magazine represents a national multi-media initiative that integrates editorial effort with learning across traditional, new media and artisanal publishing environments with a commitment to social justice.
CURA is a creation intimately tied to Fordham and the ideals that the University represents. The name CURA is taken from the Ignatian educational principle of cura personalis, care for the whole person. On its own, the word “cura” is defined as guardianship, solicitude, and significantly, written work.
Social Action
CURA staff will select a charity that speaks directly to the chosen theme and reflects the vision of “care for the whole person.” Students will implement one fundraising event dedicated to supporting the selected charity.
Artisanal and Print Publication
Lovers of the literary object can take some comfort from an unlikely source: Wired editor Chris Anderson, who recently suggested in an interview with Business Insider that the digital shift could prompt a renaissance in artisanal publishing. “Maybe the quality goes up,” he said, “so that as print gets smaller print gets better, and then print becomes kind of a beautiful artifact for those who value just that. -- Poets & Writers Magazine, February/March 2011 Edition
With an eye toward this move to artisanal publishing, students will create one literary object that interacts meaningfully with online content. Possible examples are: origami with a printed text, jewelry with printed text, a broadside, a t-shirt, a map. All publishing proceeds will benefit the selected non-profit.
Editor in Chief and Editors
Editors have the ability to decline pieces the staff selects OR accept pieces the staff declines.
The Editor in Chief has the ability to decline pieces Editors select OR accept pieces Editors decline.
Faculty
Faculty will solicit work from a spectrum of established artists to enrich magazine content. Additionally, faculty will provide guidance and direction on creative prompts, literary object/print journal creation, marketing and publicity and event implementation.
Goals
- Propose strongly the idea that art, action and social responsibility can and should be inextricably intertwined.
- Enable various, engaged reading and creative response to current news events.
- Give students valuable real world experience and skills in creating a literary product more in alignment with rapid changes in literary consumption.
- Expand the boundaries of the literary magazine through a cost-effective, energetic tasking of both new media and the printed word. What forms of literature find their best form online? What forms of literature must remain as printed word? CURA will attempt to utilize the best powers of print and online venues to achieve the maximum impact of both.
Rationale
Literary magazines have historically been vital as spaces for new writers to emerge, to hone their craft, and to develop a following. But as we continue to move more and more of our socializing, our purchasing, and, for better or worse, our reading onto the screen, periodicals—whether they maintain a print presence or not—will need to start learning how to surf. -- Poets & Writers Magazine, February/March 2011 Edition
With its multi-directional readability, dynamic editing, and possibilities for reaching a wider audience without the constraints of print product, the Internet has revolutionized the publishing industry. With an onslaught of free content now online, hundreds of newspapers and magazines have shut their doors. Remaining publishers understand that they must integrate new media into strategic planning or risk becoming obsolete. The problem, of course, has been how to do that. CURA represents a solution specifically tailored to take advantage of the institutional strengths and imperatives of Fordham, as part of the educational experience that Fordham offers. What is the future of the literary magazine? CURA represents a bold answer to this question.
Further Reading
○ Digital Digest: Literary Magazines Learning to Surf
○ Serving Literature by the Tweet
○ MacArthur Foundation
○ Literature, Plugged In
○ NMEDIAC
○ Online Literary Journals Come of Age
○ The Rapid Gains of the E-Book