Journal of Literary Studies

Scope & Guideline

Championing accessibility in literary scholarship.

Introduction

Immerse yourself in the scholarly insights of Journal of Literary Studies with our comprehensive guidelines detailing its aims and scope. This page is your resource for understanding the journal's thematic priorities. Stay abreast of trending topics currently drawing significant attention and explore declining topics for a full picture of evolving interests. Our selection of highly cited topics and recent high-impact papers is curated within these guidelines to enhance your research impact.
LanguageMulti-Language
ISSN0256-4718
PublisherUNISA PRESS
Support Open AccessYes
CountryUnited Kingdom
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 1985 to 2024
AbbreviationJ LIT STUD / J. Lit. Stud.
Frequency4 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
AddressPO BOX 392, PRETORIA 0003, SOUTH AFRICA

Aims and Scopes

The Journal of Literary Studies is dedicated to exploring the intricate relationships between literature, culture, and society. It focuses on a diverse range of literary themes and employs various methodologies that intersect with contemporary issues, historical contexts, and theoretical frameworks.
  1. Interrogation of Identity and Representation:
    The journal explores themes of identity, including race, gender, and sexuality, often through the lens of postcolonial and feminist theories. This focus highlights how literature reflects and shapes societal understandings of identity.
  2. Cultural and Historical Contextualization:
    Papers frequently examine literary works within their cultural and historical contexts, addressing how events like apartheid, colonialism, and globalization influence narrative and form.
  3. Critical Engagement with Contemporary Issues:
    The journal actively engages with contemporary social issues, such as gender-based violence, LGBTQ+ rights, and environmental concerns, showcasing how literature can respond to and critique these challenges.
  4. Interdisciplinary Approaches:
    The methodologies used in the journal often draw from various disciplines, including sociology, psychology, and ecocriticism, allowing for a rich analysis of texts and their implications.
  5. Exploration of Literary Forms and Genres:
    The journal covers a wide array of genres, from poetry to drama to fiction, examining how different forms contribute to the discourse on societal issues.
The Journal of Literary Studies has seen a number of emerging themes that reflect current societal debates and scholarly interests. These trends indicate a vibrant engagement with pressing issues and innovative theoretical frameworks.
  1. Postcolonial and Decolonial Narratives:
    Recent publications emphasize postcolonial and decolonial perspectives, exploring how literature interrogates colonial legacies and envisions new forms of identity and resistance.
  2. Intersectionality in Literature:
    There is an increasing focus on intersectionality, particularly how race, gender, and sexuality interconnect within literary texts, highlighting complex identities and experiences.
  3. Environmental and Ecocritical Literature:
    Emerging themes around ecocriticism and environmental narratives reflect growing concerns about climate change and its representation in literature, indicating a responsiveness to global crises.
  4. Responses to Global Crises:
    Literature addressing themes related to pandemics, violence, and social justice movements is on the rise, showcasing how contemporary events shape literary production and critique.
  5. Digital and Multimedia Literacies:
    Explorations of digital literacies and the impact of technology on literature are becoming more prominent, indicating a shift in how literature is consumed and discussed in a digital age.

Declining or Waning

While the Journal of Literary Studies maintains a dynamic range of topics, certain themes have shown signs of declining prominence in recent publications. This may reflect shifts in societal interests or a move towards more pressing contemporary issues.
  1. Traditional Literary Canon:
    There appears to be a waning focus on the traditional literary canon, with fewer papers addressing classic literature in isolation, suggesting a shift towards more contemporary and diverse voices.
  2. Purely Historical Analysis:
    Papers that focus solely on historical literary analysis without connecting to current themes or issues are becoming less frequent, indicating a preference for literature that engages with present-day concerns.
  3. Eurocentric Perspectives:
    There is a noticeable decline in Eurocentric literary criticism, as the journal increasingly prioritizes postcolonial and African perspectives, reflecting a broader trend in literary studies toward inclusivity.

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