MIDWEST QUARTERLY-A JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY THOUGHT

Scope & Guideline

Connecting Ideas Across the Arts and Humanities

Introduction

Welcome to the MIDWEST QUARTERLY-A JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY THOUGHT 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 MIDWEST QUARTERLY-A JOURNAL OF CONTEMPORARY THOUGHT, 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
ISSN0026-3451
PublisherPITTSBURG STATE UNIV
Support Open AccessNo
Country-
TypeJournal
Converge1978, from 1980 to 1981, 1985, from 2000 to 2019, 2021 (coverage discontinued in Scopus)
AbbreviationMIDWEST QUART / Midwest Q.-J. Contemp. Thought
Frequency4 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
AddressMIDWEST QUARTERLY, PITTSBURG, KS 66762

Aims and Scopes

The 'Midwest Quarterly: A Journal of Contemporary Thought' serves as a platform for diverse scholarly explorations, primarily focusing on literature, culture, and social issues pertinent to the Midwestern United States. The journal encourages contributions that blend creative writing with critical analysis, reflecting the complexity of contemporary thought in a regional context.
  1. Exploration of Midwestern Identity:
    The journal emphasizes the unique cultural, social, and historical aspects of the Midwest, showcasing works that reflect regional identity and experiences.
  2. Integration of Creative and Critical Writing:
    It publishes both creative pieces and critical essays, fostering a dialogue between artistic expression and academic inquiry.
  3. Focus on Contemporary Issues:
    The journal addresses current societal challenges, including health, politics, and personal narratives, making it relevant to today's discourse.
  4. Emphasis on Diverse Voices:
    There is a commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices and perspectives, particularly those of marginalized communities within Midwestern contexts.
  5. Interdisciplinary Approaches:
    The journal encourages submissions that cross traditional disciplinary boundaries, integrating insights from literature, sociology, psychology, and history.
Recent trends in the 'Midwest Quarterly' reflect a dynamic evolution of themes that resonate with contemporary societal issues and innovative literary forms. The following emerging scopes highlight the journal's responsiveness to current cultural dialogues.
  1. Personal Narratives and Memoir:
    There is a growing trend towards personal narratives and memoir-style writing, reflecting individual experiences and emotional truths, which resonate deeply with readers.
  2. Health and Well-being:
    Recent papers increasingly address themes of health, mental well-being, and the impact of societal change on personal experiences, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  3. Environmental Consciousness:
    Emerging themes related to environmental issues and consciousness are evident, reflecting a heightened awareness of ecological concerns and sustainability.
  4. Interrogation of Identity:
    Works exploring the complexities of identity, including race, gender, and class, are becoming more prominent, highlighting diverse experiences and perspectives.
  5. Community and Connection:
    There is an emphasis on community narratives and the importance of human connection, particularly in relation to the challenges posed by contemporary life.

Declining or Waning

While 'Midwest Quarterly' continues to thrive in many areas, certain themes appear to be losing prominence in recent publications. This decline may reflect broader shifts in academic interests or changing societal contexts.
  1. Traditional Literary Criticism:
    There is a noticeable decrease in papers focused solely on traditional literary criticism, as the journal shifts towards more interdisciplinary and contemporary analyses.
  2. Historical Narratives:
    Fewer submissions exploring historical narratives in depth suggest a waning interest in purely historical perspectives, possibly in favor of more immediate, contemporary issues.
  3. Formal Poetry Analysis:
    The journal seems to be moving away from rigorous formal poetry analysis, with less emphasis on structured poetic forms and more focus on free verse and personal expression.
  4. Regionalism as a Sole Theme:
    There is less emphasis on regionalism as the sole theme, with a growing trend towards global issues and broader cultural phenomena overshadowing local narratives.
  5. Academic Prose Without Creative Elements:
    A decline in the publication of strictly academic prose without creative elements indicates a shift towards integrating creative writing within scholarly work.

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