The Foundationalist
INTERCOLLEGIATE LITERARY JOURNAL
The Foundationalist is the collaborative effort of undergraduate editorial boards at Bowdoin College, Yale University, and University of Iowa. Our journal serves as a platform for outstanding undergraduate works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and essays.
our mission
We aim to showcase works that accurately represent the diversity of thought and innovation of undergraduate writers across the world. These works move beyond an understanding of the genre and instead, challenge or build upon it.
OUR BEGINNING
The Foundationalist was founded in 2018 at Bowdoin College by Aleksia Silverman and Sydney To. Their goal to create a unique literary journal—one where undergraduate authors could exercise their full artistic license, unrestricted by traditional page limits, word counts, genres, themes, etc.—fueled this journal and ignited a culture of collaboration.
In order to fully represent the diverse and unique perspectives of undergraduate writing, The Foundationalist needed to move beyond the walls of Bowdoin College. It needed to move beyond the borders of the United States. It moved to call for, adjudicate, and publish writing from all undergraduate writing programs from New England to South Africa to Singapore.
A community of editors was born out of Bowdoin College. However, this singular board could only offer a singular perspective of the pieces. Thus, a community of editors at Yale University and The University of Iowa emerged. Each board offered their own expertise and experiences, all while working towards the same goal: “To showcase works that accurately represent the diversity of thought and innovation of undergraduates across the world.” These works move beyond an understanding of the genre and instead, challenge or build upon it. Over 150 contributors have joined this community!
Now, our 3 editorial boards—entirely staffed by undergraduates, work to achieve The Foundationalist’s mission—Our staff members represent diverse interests as they major in subjects ranging from Biochemistry to Art History to English. By incorporating an industry-standard submission process as well as hands-on experience in the process of print publication from layout design to the finish product, we actively work to equip each board member with pre-professional skills desired in numerous career fields outside of the literary industry.
The Foundationalist has been driven by its founding mission to represent the best in undergraduate writing as well as welcome anyone who loves to read to the editorial board.
