Studies in Medieval and Renaissance Teaching
Studies in Medieval and Renaissance Teaching is a peer-reviewed academic journal focused on teaching and scholarship in medieval and Renaissance studies.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Studies in Medieval and Renaissance Teaching, commonly known as SMART, is a peer-reviewed academic journal devoted to the teaching of medieval and Renaissance subjects. Its coverage combines theoretical discussion with practical pedagogy, addressing scholarly and classroom-oriented questions relevant to instructors of the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The journal is associated with Wichita State University and is published twice a year. The publication began in 1974 at Kent State University under the title Ralph – A Newspaper for Undergraduate Teaching: Medieval and Renaissance Humanities. Joanne Kantrowitz is credited as its founding editor. In its original form, the publication used a newspaper format and was directed particularly toward undergraduate teaching in the medieval and Renaissance humanities. It moved to Central Missouri State University in 1977, where Robert Kindrick and Robert Graybill served as editors. Kindrick remained closely associated with the journal for many years, continuing his editorial involvement until his death in 2004. A major identity change occurred in 1982, when the publication adopted the name Studies in Medieval and Renaissance Teaching. At the same time, it moved from newspaper presentation to journal format. Initially, the renamed journal appeared three times each year. During the 1980s it also extended its publishing program through Teaching the Middle Ages, a four-volume series of selected papers drawn from four Teaching the Middle Ages conferences held between 1980 and 1990. That series complemented SMART's regular issues by preserving conference-based work on pedagogy and the teaching of medieval subjects. In 1990, SMART transferred to Indiana State University, reduced its publication frequency to two issues annually, and began a new series with fresh numbering. The journal subsequently experienced a hiatus from 1993 through 1997. Publication resumed at the University of Montana, demonstrating the journal's reliance on successive university-based editorial homes rather than on a separate commercial publishing corporation. In 2002, the journal moved to Wichita State University with Robert Kindrick. SMART's identity is therefore shaped by continuity across institutional changes, editorial stewardship, and a specialized subject area. It serves an academic readership interested not only in medieval and Renaissance scholarship but also in how that scholarship is taught. Its format and frequency have changed over time, but its central purpose has remained the circulation of research, reflection, and practical approaches related to instruction in the field. The journal follows the guidelines of The Chicago Manual of Style. Kristie Bixby of Wichita State University is identified as editor-in-chief in the available reference material.
History
Studies in Medieval and Renaissance Teaching originated in 1974 as Ralph – A Newspaper for Undergraduate Teaching: Medieval and Renaissance Humanities at Kent State University. Joanne Kantrowitz was the founding editor. The publication was created as a venue for work connected with undergraduate instruction in the medieval and Renaissance humanities and initially appeared in newspaper form. In 1977, the publication moved to Central Missouri State University. Robert Kindrick and Robert Graybill became associated with its editorial direction there. Kindrick maintained a long relationship with the journal and continued as an important editorial figure until his death in 2004. The publication adopted its present title, Studies in Medieval and Renaissance Teaching, in 1982. This change coincided with a transition from newspaper format to a conventional academic journal. It initially appeared three times per year after the change. Between 1980 and 1990, the journal also produced four volumes of selected papers under the title Teaching the Middle Ages. These volumes drew on papers presented at four Teaching the Middle Ages conferences and expanded the publication's role in documenting discussions of medieval pedagogy. In 1990, the journal moved to Indiana State University. At that point it began a new series with new numbering and shifted to a twice-yearly publication schedule. It entered a hiatus from 1993 to 1997, after which publication resumed at the University of Montana. In 2002, SMART moved to Wichita State University with Robert Kindrick. The journal's editorial and institutional history reflects a pattern common to specialized scholarly publications: stewardship has passed among universities while the publication has retained a stable disciplinary focus. SMART publishes peer-reviewed material covering both theoretical and practical dimensions of teaching the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Its content may address scholarly questions, pedagogical methods, curriculum, and classroom practice. The journal follows The Chicago Manual of Style. The available reference identifies Kristie Bixby of Wichita State University as editor-in-chief.
- 2004
End of Robert Kindrick's editorial tenure
[1]Robert Kindrick's long editorial association with the journal ends with his death.
- 2002
Move to Wichita State University
[1]The journal moves to Wichita State University with Robert Kindrick.
- 1997
Publication resumes at the University of Montana
[1]SMART resumes publication under the University of Montana.
- 1993
Publication hiatus begins
[1]The journal enters a hiatus that lasts through 1997.
- 1990
Move to Indiana State University and new series
[1]SMART moves to Indiana State University, begins a new series with new numbering, and adopts a twice-yearly publication schedule.
- 1982
Adoption of the SMART title
[1]The publication changes its name to Studies in Medieval and Renaissance Teaching and changes from newspaper format to journal format.
- 1977
Move to Central Missouri State University
[1]The publication relocates to Central Missouri State University, where Robert Kindrick and Robert Graybill become associated with its editorship.
- 1974
Publication begins as Ralph
[1]The journal begins at Kent State University under the title Ralph – A Newspaper for Undergraduate Teaching: Medieval and Renaissance Humanities, with Joanne Kantrowitz as founding editor.
Products and positioning
A specialized, university-based scholarly journal positioned at the intersection of medieval and Renaissance studies, humanities pedagogy, and practical classroom teaching.
Peer-reviewed academic journal · 1982
Studies in Medieval and Renaissance Teaching
The principal publication is a peer-reviewed journal issued twice a year by Wichita State University. It covers both conceptual and practical aspects of teaching medieval and Renaissance subjects, combining scholarly articles with material relevant to humanities instruction. The journal's audience includes researchers, university instructors, and others concerned with curriculum and pedagogy in the field.
Selected conference-paper volumes · 1980
Teaching the Middle Ages
Between 1980 and 1990, four volumes of selected papers were published under the Teaching the Middle Ages title. The volumes assembled material from four Teaching the Middle Ages conferences and extended SMART's contribution to the preservation and dissemination of discussions about teaching medieval subjects.
Brand decisions
2002
Transfer to Wichita State UniversityStrategyBackground
After publication resumed at the University of Montana, the journal underwent another institutional transition.
Action taken
SMART moved to Wichita State University with Robert Kindrick.
Aftermath
Wichita State University became the journal's identified institutional home.
1990
Institutional move and publication-frequency changeStrategyBackground
The journal moved from its previous university setting to Indiana State University.
Action taken
SMART began a new series with new numbering and changed to a twice-yearly schedule.
Aftermath
The new series marked a formal publishing transition before the later hiatus and subsequent resumption at the University of Montana.
1982
Rebrand and format changeStrategyBackground
The original publication had operated as Ralph, a newspaper aimed at undergraduate teaching in the medieval and Renaissance humanities.
Action taken
It adopted the Studies in Medieval and Renaissance Teaching name and changed to journal format.
Aftermath
The change established the SMART identity and supported its development as a peer-reviewed academic journal.
Sources2 sources
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