MELUS

Scope & Guideline

Challenging Norms, Shaping Futures in Literature

Introduction

Welcome to the MELUS 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 MELUS, 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
ISSN0163-755x
PublisherOXFORD UNIV PRESS INC
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited States
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 1974 to 1975, from 1977 to 1985, 1987, from 1989 to 1990, from 1992 to 1995, from 2011 to 2024
AbbreviationMELUS / MELUS
Frequency4 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
AddressJOURNALS DEPT, 2001 EVANS RD, CARY, NC 27513

Aims and Scopes

MELUS, the journal of the Society for the Study of the Multi-Ethnic Literature of the United States, focuses on the diverse and rich tapestry of American literature through various cultural lenses. The journal aims to explore the intersections of race, ethnicity, gender, and class within American literature and culture, emphasizing the contributions of marginalized voices.
  1. Exploration of Multi-Ethnic Narratives:
    MELUS is dedicated to the analysis and promotion of literature that reflects the experiences and perspectives of various ethnic groups in the United States, including African American, Asian American, Latino/a, Native American, and Jewish literatures.
  2. Interdisciplinary Approaches:
    The journal employs a range of methodologies, integrating insights from cultural studies, literary theory, history, and sociology to deepen the understanding of multi-ethnic literature.
  3. Focus on Historical Context:
    MELUS emphasizes the historical contexts that shape ethnic literature, examining how historical events influence literary production and representation.
  4. Critical Engagement with Contemporary Issues:
    The journal actively engages with contemporary social and political issues, exploring how literature reflects and responds to themes such as identity, migration, and systemic oppression.
  5. Promotion of Marginalized Voices:
    MELUS seeks to amplify the voices of underrepresented authors and scholars, fostering a platform for diverse perspectives in literary scholarship.
Recent publications in MELUS indicate a shift towards exploring new themes and methodologies that reflect contemporary concerns within multi-ethnic literature. These emerging trends highlight the journal's commitment to adapting to the evolving landscape of literary studies.
  1. Intersectionality and Complexity of Identity:
    There is a growing focus on intersectionality, examining how various identities (race, gender, sexuality, class) interact and influence literary expression, reflecting the complexities of contemporary social realities.
  2. Environmental and Ecocritical Perspectives:
    Recent works are increasingly considering the relationship between literature and the environment, exploring themes of ecological justice and the representation of marginalized communities within environmental narratives.
  3. Digital Humanities and New Media:
    The integration of digital humanities and new media into literary studies is emerging, with scholars utilizing digital tools to analyze texts and explore their cultural implications in contemporary society.
  4. Globalization and Transnationalism:
    There is a trend towards examining literature in a global context, considering the impact of globalization and transnational movements on identity and cultural production.
  5. Critical Race Theory and Social Justice:
    Recent themes reflect a heightened engagement with critical race theory, emphasizing literature's role in social justice movements and its potential to challenge systemic inequalities.

Declining or Waning

As the field of ethnic studies evolves, certain themes within MELUS's scope appear to be diminishing in frequency or focus. This may reflect broader shifts in scholarly interest or societal changes that influence literary discourse.
  1. Traditional Ethnic Identity Studies:
    There seems to be a waning interest in rigid definitions of ethnic identity, as scholars increasingly explore more fluid and intersectional understandings of identity that transcend traditional categories.
  2. Focus on Canonical Texts:
    The emphasis on canonical texts from specific ethnic groups is declining, giving way to a broader exploration of contemporary and experimental works that challenge established literary canons.
  3. Historical Exclusivity:
    While historical context remains important, there is a noticeable decrease in studies that solely focus on historical narratives without considering their contemporary relevance or intersections with current issues.
  4. Single-Ethnic Studies:
    Research that concentrates on a single ethnic group is becoming less prevalent, as scholars opt for comparative approaches that examine intersections among multiple ethnicities and cultures.
  5. Static Representations of Race and Ethnicity:
    There is a shift away from static, monolithic representations of race and ethnicity in literature, reflecting a broader recognition of the complexities and dynamism of identity.

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