By Björn Elberling
Another Call for Papers. This one, by the Göttingen Journal of International Law, is aimed explicitly at undergrad students. The GoJIL is apparently trying to introduce the concept of US-style student-run law journals to Germany (They have even adopted the dreaded bluebook!). Whether that is generally a good idea, given the widespread criticism of that concept in the US and the fact that the trend there seems to be rather towards peer-reviewed publications, is of course an interesting question. One undoubtedly positive aspect, especially for undergrad students, is that the Journal provides an excellent opportunity to get a paper published. Besides an Open Call for Papers, the GoJIL is conducting an International Law Essay Competition on the topic of Human Rights in Times of Terrorism. The deadline for submissions is 15 June.
The first issue will be published July/August 2008.
Thus, there is still some time left to submit your article for the Open Call for Papers (see http://www.gojil.eu).
Thanks for the clarification, Anne. BTW, when do you expect to publish the first issue?
Just one specification:
The Göttingen Journal of Internationlaw does NOT follow the American student-run law journals.
While students will be responsible for the editing and organisation processes, the high academic standards will be guaranteed by an intesive PEER-TO-PEER review.
By the way, GoJIL could already convince honorable international laywers of its concept! Judge Buergenthal (ICJ), e.g., joined the advisory board and makes a contribution for the first issue this summer. Mrs. Limbach, former president of the Bundesverfassungsgericht, has also submitted an article.
That’s disappointing that a European journal would adopt the US style. I do not like or agree with the way student edited journals in the US essentially re-write articles, as that is what they believe “editing” to be. They even add references that weren’t used by the writer! As for bluebook style- well, there should be a massive bonfire of all bluebooks in existence & complete erasure of all digital copies. Such an unecessarily complex and frustrating citation system I have never seen elsewhere.