CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE

Scope & Guideline

Advancing Scholarship in the Literary Landscape

Introduction

Welcome to the CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE 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 CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE, 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
ISSN0010-7484
PublisherUNIV WISCONSIN PRESS
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited States
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 2002 to 2024
AbbreviationCONTEMP LITERATURE / Contemp. Lit.
Frequency4 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
AddressJOURNAL DIVISION, 728 State Street, Suite 443, MADISON, WI 53706, UNITED STATES

Aims and Scopes

CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE aims to explore and critique the intersections of literature with contemporary social, political, and cultural issues. The journal emphasizes innovative narrative forms, diverse voices, and critical theoretical frameworks, providing a platform for both established and emerging scholars in the field.
  1. Interdisciplinary Approaches to Literature:
    The journal incorporates various disciplines such as cultural studies, postcolonial studies, feminist theory, and queer theory to analyze literary texts and their broader societal implications.
  2. Focus on Contemporary Voices:
    CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE prioritizes works by contemporary authors, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, allowing for a rich exploration of diverse perspectives in modern storytelling.
  3. Critical Engagement with Social Issues:
    The journal frequently addresses pressing social issues such as race, immigration, and climate change through literary analysis, emphasizing the role of literature in reflecting and shaping societal narratives.
  4. Innovative Narrative Forms:
    It explores new narrative techniques and forms, including autofiction and speculative fiction, highlighting how these methodologies challenge traditional storytelling conventions.
  5. Emphasis on Global Literature:
    The journal includes studies of global literature, focusing on transnational themes and the impact of globalization on narrative forms and content.
Recent publications in CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE reveal a number of trending and emerging themes that reflect contemporary societal concerns and innovative literary practices. These themes are gaining traction and shaping the future direction of the journal.
  1. Postcolonial and Transnational Narratives:
    There is a growing emphasis on postcolonial narratives and transnational studies, indicating an increased interest in how literature reflects and responds to global power dynamics and cultural exchanges.
  2. Environmental and Climate Literature:
    The emergence of environmental themes, including climate change and ecological crises, is becoming prominent in literary discussions, showcasing literature's role in addressing urgent global issues.
  3. Intersectionality in Literary Analysis:
    An increasing focus on intersectionality—examining how various social categories such as race, gender, and class intersect in literature—reflects a more nuanced understanding of identity and representation.
  4. Digital and New Media Narratives:
    Research on digital literature and the influence of new media on storytelling practices is on the rise, highlighting how technology shapes contemporary literary forms and reader engagement.
  5. Autofiction and Personal Narratives:
    The trend towards autofiction and personal narratives reflects a growing interest in subjective experiences and the blurring of boundaries between fiction and autobiography, resonating with contemporary readers.

Declining or Waning

While CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE has maintained a dynamic focus on various themes, certain areas have seen a decline in prominence. The following themes are becoming less frequent in recent publications, indicating a shift in the journal's focus over time.
  1. Traditional Literary Canon:
    There has been a noticeable decrease in articles centered on the traditional literary canon, as the journal increasingly emphasizes contemporary and diverse voices that challenge established literary hierarchies.
  2. Purely Historical Literary Studies:
    Research that focuses solely on historical literary studies without connecting to contemporary issues is waning. The journal seems to favor analyses that relate historical contexts to current societal challenges.
  3. Formalism and Aestheticism:
    Interest in formalist approaches, which prioritize aesthetics over content and context, appears to be declining. The journal's current trajectory favors critical approaches that engage with social and political themes over purely formal analyses.
  4. Eurocentric Perspectives:
    The journal has shifted away from predominantly Eurocentric literary analyses, reflecting a broader commitment to inclusivity and the exploration of non-Western narratives.

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