JOURNAL OF AMERICAN CULTURE

Scope & Guideline

Bridging Disciplines through American Cultural Insights

Introduction

Welcome to your portal for understanding JOURNAL OF AMERICAN CULTURE, featuring guidelines for its aims and scope. Our guidelines cover trending and emerging topics, identifying the forefront of research. Additionally, we track declining topics, offering insights into areas experiencing reduced scholarly attention. Key highlights include highly cited topics and recently published papers, curated within these guidelines to assist you in navigating influential academic dialogues.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN1542-7331
PublisherWILEY
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited Kingdom
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 1996 to 1999, from 2003 to 2024
AbbreviationJ AM CULTURE / J. Am. Cult.
Frequency4 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
Address111 RIVER ST, HOBOKEN 07030-5774, NJ

Aims and Scopes

The Journal of American Culture aims to explore the multifaceted dimensions of American culture through a diverse range of topics. It emphasizes the intersection of various cultural forms, historical contexts, and social issues, utilizing interdisciplinary approaches to enrich understanding of the American experience. Below are the core areas of focus for the journal.
  1. Cultural Criticism and Analysis:
    The journal engages in critical examinations of cultural artifacts such as literature, film, music, and visual arts, analyzing their impact on American identity and societal norms.
  2. Historical Contextualization:
    It emphasizes the historical contexts of cultural phenomena, exploring how past events and movements shape contemporary American culture.
  3. Diversity and Representation:
    The journal addresses themes of race, gender, and sexuality, focusing on underrepresented voices and narratives in American cultural discourse.
  4. Media Studies:
    A significant focus is placed on the role of media in shaping public perception, identity formation, and cultural practices, particularly in relation to television, film, and digital platforms.
  5. Interdisciplinary Approaches:
    The journal encourages interdisciplinary research that combines methodologies from fields such as sociology, history, literary studies, and cultural studies to provide a comprehensive understanding of American culture.
The Journal of American Culture is adapting to current societal changes and cultural dynamics, leading to the emergence of new themes and research areas. The following points outline these trending topics that reflect contemporary concerns and interests.
  1. Digital Culture and Technology:
    There is a noticeable increase in studies exploring the impact of digital culture and technology on American social life, identity, and cultural production, reflecting the growing influence of the internet and social media.
  2. Intersectionality in Cultural Studies:
    Research emphasizing intersectionality—how race, gender, sexuality, and class intersect in shaping experiences—is gaining traction, highlighting the complexities of identity in American culture.
  3. Cultural Memory and Trauma:
    Emerging themes focus on cultural memory, collective trauma, and how these concepts inform contemporary American identity, particularly in the context of historical injustices.
  4. Globalization and American Culture:
    The journal is increasingly examining the effects of globalization on American culture, including cross-cultural influences and the hybridization of cultural forms.
  5. Activism and Social Justice in Media:
    There is a growing interest in the role of media as a platform for activism and social justice, analyzing how cultural products can reflect and influence societal change.

Declining or Waning

While the Journal of American Culture continues to evolve, certain themes that were once prominent appear to be gaining less attention in recent publications. The following points highlight these waning topics.
  1. Traditional Narratives of American History:
    There seems to be a decline in papers focused on conventional narratives of American history, particularly those that do not engage with contemporary issues or marginalized perspectives.
  2. Purely Genre-Based Studies:
    Research that solely focuses on genre conventions without intersecting social or cultural implications is becoming less common, as the journal shifts towards more analytical and contextual approaches.
  3. Static Representations of American Identity:
    Themes that depict a monolithic view of American identity are waning, reflecting a broader shift towards recognizing the complexities and diversities within American culture.
  4. Conventional Gender Studies:
    While gender remains a key focus, traditional approaches that do not incorporate intersectionality or contemporary feminist discourse are becoming less prevalent.
  5. Nostalgic Cultural Critiques:
    Papers that rely heavily on nostalgia without critical engagement or relevance to current cultural dynamics are seeing a decrease in favor of more progressive and contemporary analyses.

Similar Journals

JOURNAL OF POPULAR FILM AND TELEVISION

Transforming Perspectives Through Film and Television Analysis.
Publisher: ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTDISSN: 0195-6051Frequency: 4 issues/year

JOURNAL OF POPULAR FILM AND TELEVISION, published by Routledge Journals, Taylor & Francis Ltd, stands as a significant platform for academic discourse in the realms of cultural studies, visual arts, and performing arts. With its ISSN: 0195-6051 and an evolving digital presence indicated by its E-ISSN: 1930-6458, the journal has carved out a respected niche since its inception in 1978, continuing to contribute to scholarly discussions through 2024. Its impact within the academic community is underscored by a Q3 ranking in Cultural Studies and a Q2 ranking in Visual Arts and Performing Arts for 2023, highlighting its relevance across diverse fields. Notably, with a Scopus ranking placing it in the 74th percentile among visual arts and performing arts journals, it serves as an essential reference point for researchers, professionals, and students committed to the critical examination of film and television. Although not an open-access journal, it provides valuable insights and analysis that enrich understanding of popular media's impact on society. The journal's location in the United States, with a headquarters in Abingdon, England, further affirms its international scope and influence.

AMERICAN MUSIC

Celebrating the Rich Tapestry of American Musical Heritage
Publisher: UNIV ILLINOIS PRESSISSN: 0734-4392Frequency: 4 issues/year

AMERICAN MUSIC, published by the esteemed University of Illinois Press, is a prominent peer-reviewed journal that serves as a vital resource for researchers, professionals, and students dedicated to the study of Music in the Arts and Humanities. With an ISSN of 0734-4392 and an E-ISSN of 1945-2349, this quarterly journal has positioned itself in the Q3 category of music journals, indicating its significant contributions to the field. The journal has been actively disseminating research and scholarly articles from 2002 to 2023, and it maintains a valuable ranking within Scopus as #113 out of 180 in the subject area of Music. While the journal does not currently offer Open Access, its curated content is essential for advancing knowledge and scholarship within the discipline, exploring the intersections of music with culture, society, and history. Researchers and academics alike will find AMERICAN MUSIC a critical platform for engaging with contemporary musical trends and scholarly dialogues.

MELUS

Exploring the Rich Tapestry of American Literature
Publisher: OXFORD UNIV PRESS INCISSN: 0163-755XFrequency: 4 issues/year

MELUS (Modern English Language and Literature Studies), published by Oxford University Press Inc, is a leading academic journal dedicated to exploring the complexities and dynamics of American literature and culture from various critical perspectives. With a strong historical foundation since its inception in 1974, MELUS is recognized for its contributions to both Cultural Studies and Literature and Literary Theory, achieving notable rankings in the Q2 and Q3 quartiles respectively as of 2023. The journal's articles are essential for scholars and practitioners seeking to engage with contemporary literary discourse, featuring innovative research that challenges conventional understandings of cultural identity and representation. Although it does not offer Open Access options, MELUS remains a crucial resource for academic libraries and research institutions in the United States and beyond, providing access to cutting-edge scholarship that informs the study of literature in a global context. For those invested in the field, MELUS serves as an invaluable platform for disseminating transformative ideas and fostering discussions that shape the future of literary studies.

AMERICAN LITERARY HISTORY

Navigating the Rich Landscape of American Literary Studies
Publisher: OXFORD UNIV PRESS INCISSN: 0896-7148Frequency: 4 issues/year

AMERICAN LITERARY HISTORY, published by Oxford University Press Inc, is a leading peer-reviewed journal dedicated to advancing the understanding of American literature within the broader contexts of cultural studies and history. With an impressive impact factor reflecting its Q1 ranking in Cultural Studies, History, and Literature and Literary Theory, this journal serves as an essential resource for researchers, professionals, and students alike. Covering a wide range of topics, it seeks to illuminate the historical and cultural dynamics that shape literary production in the United States from 1989 to 2024. Although not an open access journal, AMERICAN LITERARY HISTORY remains a pivotal platform for scholarly discourse, encouraging rigorous scholarship and critical engagement with literary texts. The journal's strong Scopus rankings further emphasize its significance, ranked among the top journals in its field, making it an indispensable tool for anyone seeking to explore the rich tapestry of American literary heritage.

AMERICAN LITERATURE

Illuminating Diverse Narratives Across Centuries
Publisher: DUKE UNIV PRESSISSN: 0002-9831Frequency: 4 issues/year

AMERICAN LITERATURE is a premier academic journal published by DUKE UNIVERSITY PRESS, dedicated to enhancing the understanding of literature produced in the United States from the colonial period to contemporary works. With its ISSN 0002-9831 and E-ISSN 1527-2117, this influential journal has maintained its status as a leader in the field, achieving a commendable Q1 ranking in Literature and Literary Theory for 2023, and holding a notable position (ranked #169 out of 1106) within its Scopus category. Since its inception in 1968, the journal has committed to publishing innovative research that explores diverse literary traditions, critical theories, and cultural contexts, making it an essential resource for researchers, scholars, and students alike. Although not available as an open-access publication, AMERICAN LITERATURE continues to play a critical role in shaping conversations around the complex narratives that define American literary heritage, inviting contributions that push the boundaries of literary studies.

REVUE FRANCAISE D ETUDES AMERICAINES

Fostering Multicultural Insights into American Studies
Publisher: ASSOC FRANCAISE ETUDES AMERISSN: 0397-7870Frequency: 4 issues/year

REVUE FRANCAISE D ETUDES AMERICAINES is a distinguished academic journal published by the ASSOCIATION FRANCAISE D ETUDES AMERICAINES, dedicated to the exploration of American studies from a multicultural and interdisciplinary perspective. Since its inception in 1990, this journal has provided a platform for scholarly debate and research, laying the groundwork for critical examinations of various aspects of American culture, politics, and society. Although currently classified in the lower quartiles (Q4) across several categories—Arts and Humanities, Cultural Studies, and Sociology and Political Science—its commitment to enriching academic discourse makes it a valuable resource for researchers, students, and professionals alike. The journal lacks an open-access option, but its informative content remains vital for anyone involved in the study of American influences globally. By bridging the gap between American context and global frameworks, REVUE FRANCAISE D ETUDES AMERICAINES plays a pivotal role in fostering international understanding of American studies.

WINTERTHUR PORTFOLIO-A JOURNAL OF AMERICAN MATERIAL CULTURE

Bridging Disciplines to Understand America's Cultural Artifacts
Publisher: UNIV CHICAGO PRESSISSN: 0084-0416Frequency: 3 issues/year

WINTERTHUR PORTFOLIO: A Journal of American Material Culture, published by University of Chicago Press, is an esteemed academic journal dedicated to the exploration and analysis of American material culture. With its ISSN 0084-0416 and E-ISSN 1545-6927, this journal provides a robust platform for interdisciplinary scholarship that examines historical artifacts, their cultural contexts, and their significance in understanding American identity. Despite facing a challenging competitive landscape, as reflected in its Q3 rankings in History, Museology, and Visual Arts and Performing Arts, WINTERTHUR PORTFOLIO remains a vital resource for researchers, professionals, and students alike, fostering engagement with material culture studies since its inception in 1979. Though it does not offer Open Access options, the journal's rich repository of research and critical theories provides invaluable insights across multiple disciplines, making it an essential tool for those committed to advancing the field.

Journal of Italian Cinema and Media Studies

Navigating the Dynamic Landscape of Italian Cinema
Publisher: INTELLECT LTDISSN: 2047-7368Frequency: 3 issues/year

The Journal of Italian Cinema and Media Studies, published by INTELLECT LTD, is a premier academic journal dedicated to the exploration and critical analysis of Italian cinema and media. Since its inception in 2013, the journal has contributed significantly to the discourse surrounding the intersections of film, culture, and society, making it a vital resource for researchers and professionals alike. With an impressive span of converged years through 2024 and categorized in various quartiles, such as a Q1 ranking in Visual Arts and Performing Arts, the journal stands out in its field. Although it does not currently offer open access, the rigorous scholarship it publishes is accessible to a wide audience, contributing to ongoing dialogues in communication and cultural studies. The journal's impact is further reflected in its Scopus rankings, positioning it within the 64th percentile in Visual Arts and Performing Arts and the 21st percentile in Communication. As a critical avenue for scholarly exchange and creative inquiry, the Journal of Italian Cinema and Media Studies is essential for anyone engaged in the study of media, culture, and the arts.

Boletin de Arte-UMA

Promoting Open Access to Artistic Scholarship
Publisher: UNIV MALAGA, DEPT HISTORIA ARTEISSN: 0211-8483Frequency: 1 issue/year

Boletin de Arte-UMA is a distinguished academic journal published by the University of Malaga, Department of History of Art, focusing on the rich interplay between history, visual arts, and performing arts. Operating under an Open Access model since 2013, this journal ensures that valuable research is freely available for scholars and practitioners worldwide. With an impact factor currently reflecting its academic rigor through its Q2 ranking in History and Q1 ranking in Visual Arts and Performing Arts, Boletin de Arte-UMA serves as a vital platform for cutting-edge research, critical analysis, and the promotion of cultural heritage studies. Based in Malaga, Spain, the journal not only provides insights into its thematic scope but also fosters a global dialogue among researchers, professionals, and students passionate about the visual and performing arts.

EARLY AMERICAN LITERATURE

Bridging History and Theory in Early American Texts
Publisher: UNIV NORTH CAROLINA PRESSISSN: 0012-8163Frequency: 3 issues/year

EARLY AMERICAN LITERATURE, published by the University of North Carolina Press, stands as a pivotal journal in the field of American literary studies. With an ISSN of 0012-8163 and E-ISSN of 1534-147X, this journal invites scholarly discourse and analysis of literary works from the early American period, effectively bridging historical context and contemporary literary theory. The journal has maintained a consistent publication history since 1973, with significant converged years, providing essential insights for researchers and students alike. Ranked Q3 in Literature and Literary Theory with an impressive Scopus rank placing it in the 66th percentile, EARLY AMERICAN LITERATURE remains an essential resource for exploring the intricacies of early American texts and their implications. Although not an open-access journal, its contributions are invaluable for anyone engaging with this rich literary tradition, fostering a deeper understanding of America's cultural and literary heritage.