NUMEN-INTERNATIONAL REVIEW FOR THE HISTORY OF RELIGIONS

Scope & Guideline

Unveiling Diverse Perspectives on Religious Phenomena

Introduction

Immerse yourself in the scholarly insights of NUMEN-INTERNATIONAL REVIEW FOR THE HISTORY OF RELIGIONS 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
ISSN0029-5973
PublisherBRILL
Support Open AccessNo
CountryNetherlands
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 1954 to 2024
AbbreviationNUMEN-INT REV HIST R / Numen-Int. Rev. Hist. Relig.
Frequency6 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
AddressPLANTIJNSTRAAT 2, P O BOX 9000, 2300 PA LEIDEN, NETHERLANDS

Aims and Scopes

NUMEN: International Review for the History of Religions focuses on the interdisciplinary study of religions across cultures and time periods. It aims to provide a platform for innovative research that enhances our understanding of religious phenomena in historical contexts.
  1. Interdisciplinary Approaches:
    The journal embraces diverse methodologies from anthropology, sociology, cognitive science, and history to analyze religious practices, beliefs, and texts.
  2. Cultural and Historical Contextualization:
    It emphasizes the importance of situating religious phenomena within their specific cultural and historical frameworks, allowing for nuanced interpretations of religious beliefs and practices.
  3. Comparative Religion:
    NUMEN encourages comparative studies that explore similarities and differences across various religious traditions, fostering a deeper understanding of how religions influence and shape each other.
  4. Focus on Ritual and Performance:
    The journal often highlights the significance of ritual practices and performance in religious life, examining how these elements contribute to the construction and maintenance of religious identities.
  5. Exploration of Contemporary Issues:
    NUMEN also addresses contemporary religious issues, such as the role of religion in modern society, secularism, and the impact of globalization on religious practices.
Recent publications in NUMEN reveal several emerging themes that reflect current scholarly interests and the evolving landscape of religious studies.
  1. Neurocognitive Approaches to Religion:
    The application of neurocognitive models to understand religious narratives and experiences is gaining traction, indicating a trend toward interdisciplinary methodologies that incorporate cognitive science.
  2. Performance Studies in Religion:
    There is a growing focus on the role of performance in religious practices, exploring how rituals and oral traditions shape religious identity and community.
  3. Globalization and Religion:
    Scholars are increasingly examining the effects of globalization on religious practices, particularly how local traditions adapt and transform in a global context.
  4. Esotericism and Cross-Cultural Interpretations:
    The study of esotericism, especially in cross-cultural contexts, is becoming more prominent, highlighting the interactions between Eastern and Western religious traditions.
  5. Interdisciplinary Studies of Belonging and Identity:
    Emerging research is focused on the intersection of religion with issues of identity, belonging, and community, particularly in multicultural and diasporic contexts.

Declining or Waning

Over recent years, certain themes within NUMEN have shown a decline in prominence, reflecting shifts in scholarly focus and emerging interests in the study of religions.
  1. Traditional Historical Narratives:
    There is a noticeable decrease in studies that rely solely on traditional historical narratives of religions without integrating contemporary theoretical frameworks or interdisciplinary approaches.
  2. Eurocentric Perspectives:
    The journal has seen a waning interest in Eurocentric analyses of religion, as scholars increasingly seek to incorporate non-Western perspectives and voices in the study of religion.
  3. Static Definitions of Religion:
    The rigid definitions of what constitutes 'religion' have become less common, with scholars moving toward more fluid and dynamic understandings of religious phenomena.
  4. Focus on Religious Textual Analysis:
    While textual analysis remains important, there is a decreasing emphasis on purely textual studies without considering the performative and lived aspects of religion.
  5. Neglect of Indigenous Religions:
    There has been a decline in the exploration of indigenous religious practices and beliefs, as the journal increasingly prioritizes global and cross-cultural studies.

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