CAMERA OBSCURA

Scope & Guideline

Advancing Critical Conversations on Visual Representation

Introduction

Welcome to the CAMERA OBSCURA information hub, where our guidelines provide a wealth of knowledge about the journal’s focus and academic contributions. This page includes an extensive look at the aims and scope of CAMERA OBSCURA, highlighting trending and emerging areas of study. We also examine declining topics to offer insight into academic interest shifts. Our curated list of highly cited topics and recent publications is part of our effort to guide scholars, using these guidelines to stay ahead in their research endeavors.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN0270-5346
PublisherDUKE UNIV PRESS
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited States
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 2002 to 2024
AbbreviationCAMERA OBSCURA / Camera Obscura
Frequency3 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
Address905 W MAIN ST, STE 18-B, DURHAM, NC 27701

Aims and Scopes

CAMERA OBSCURA focuses on the intersection of visual culture, gender studies, and critical theory, aiming to explore diverse representations and narratives in film and media. The journal emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches and encourages contributions that challenge traditional paradigms in visual studies.
  1. Interrogation of Gender and Sexuality in Media:
    The journal frequently addresses themes of gender and sexuality, particularly through queer and feminist lenses, exploring how these identities are represented and constructed in various media forms.
  2. Critical Engagement with Historical Contexts:
    Papers often delve into historical analysis, examining how past events and cultural phenomena inform contemporary visual practices and narratives.
  3. Focus on Intersectionality and Diversity:
    A significant aim is to highlight intersectional perspectives, considering how race, class, and other social categories intersect with gender and sexuality in visual culture.
  4. Exploration of New Media and Technology:
    The journal engages with emerging technologies and their impact on representation and identity, including digital media, social media, and their role in shaping contemporary narratives.
  5. Reflexivity and Autoethnography:
    There is an emphasis on reflexivity in research, encouraging authors to consider their own positionality and how it influences their interpretations of visual texts.
Recent issues of CAMERA OBSCURA reveal notable trends and emerging themes that reflect current societal discussions and academic interests. These themes indicate the journal's responsiveness to contemporary issues in visual culture.
  1. Queer and Trans Representation:
    There is a marked increase in the exploration of queer and trans narratives, particularly in relation to identity politics and representation in media, highlighting the importance of these discussions in contemporary scholarship.
  2. Intersection of Environmental Issues and Media:
    Emerging themes around ecological concerns and their representation in film and media are becoming more prominent, reflecting a growing awareness of environmental issues within cultural studies.
  3. Impact of Digital Media on Identity Formation:
    Recent publications have begun to investigate how digital platforms influence identity formation and community building, particularly among marginalized groups, indicating a shift towards examining the implications of new media.
  4. Reflexivity in Autobiographical Narratives:
    The trend of reflexivity in personal narratives, especially within feminist and queer contexts, is gaining traction, as authors explore the relationship between personal experiences and broader socio-political discourses.
  5. Cultural Memory and Archives:
    An increasing focus on the role of cultural memory and archival practices in shaping narratives within visual culture suggests a growing interest in how history is constructed and represented.

Declining or Waning

While CAMERA OBSCURA has consistently addressed a range of topics, certain themes appear to be waning in prominence in recent publications. This decline may reflect shifting interests within the field or the evolving landscape of visual culture studies.
  1. Traditional Film Criticism:
    There seems to be a decline in conventional film criticism and analysis, with fewer papers focusing solely on traditional cinematic techniques or narratives without the integration of broader social issues.
  2. Mainstream Media Analysis:
    The journal has shifted away from analyzing mainstream media phenomena in favor of more niche or avant-garde topics, indicating a growing interest in alternative narratives over popular culture.
  3. Focus on Historical Film Genres:
    While historical film genres were once a focal point, recent publications suggest a move away from this area, as authors increasingly explore contemporary and experimental forms of visual storytelling.

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