RESEARCH IN AFRICAN LITERATURES

Scope & Guideline

Transforming Perspectives on African Literature

Introduction

Welcome to the RESEARCH IN AFRICAN LITERATURES 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 RESEARCH IN AFRICAN LITERATURES, 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.
LanguageMulti-Language
ISSN0034-5210
PublisherINDIANA UNIV PRESS
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited States
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 2002 to 2024
AbbreviationRES AFR LITERATURES / Res. Afr. Lit.
Frequency4 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
Address601 N MORTON STREET, BLOOMINGTON, IN 47404-3797

Aims and Scopes

The journal 'Research in African Literatures' aims to provide a platform for scholarly engagement with African literature across various genres, languages, and contexts. It emphasizes the diverse narratives emerging from the continent and the diaspora, exploring how these texts engage with sociopolitical themes, cultural identities, and historical legacies.
  1. Interdisciplinary Approaches:
    The journal encourages interdisciplinary scholarship that draws from fields such as cultural studies, postcolonial theory, gender studies, and history, facilitating a broader understanding of African literatures.
  2. Focus on Contemporary Issues:
    It addresses contemporary issues such as migration, identity, gender, and resistance, reflecting the dynamic socio-political landscapes impacting African societies and their literary expressions.
  3. Exploration of Cultural Hybridity:
    The journal highlights the themes of cultural hybridity and transnationalism, examining how African literature interacts with global narratives and diasporic experiences.
  4. Critical Engagement with Canonical Texts:
    It offers critical readings of both classic and contemporary African literary works, fostering discussions around their relevance and impact in today's cultural discourse.
  5. Promoting New Voices:
    The journal is committed to showcasing emerging voices in African literature, including new authors and innovative forms of storytelling, particularly those that challenge traditional narrative structures.
In recent years, 'Research in African Literatures' has seen the emergence of several trending themes that reflect the changing dynamics within African literary studies. These themes highlight the journal's responsiveness to contemporary cultural and social issues.
  1. Digital Narratives and New Media:
    A growing number of articles explore the impact of digital media on storytelling, particularly how social media platforms are shaping new forms of literary expression and engagement among African writers.
  2. Intersectionality in Literature:
    There is an increasing focus on intersectionality, examining how multiple identities (race, gender, class, sexuality) intersect in the narratives and experiences depicted in African literature.
  3. Migration and Diaspora Literature:
    The themes of migration and diaspora are becoming more prominent, reflecting the realities of displacement and the complexities of identity formation in a globalized world.
  4. Environmental and Ecocritical Perspectives:
    Emerging discussions around ecocriticism and the representation of environmental issues in African literature indicate a rising awareness of ecological concerns and their representation in literary texts.
  5. LGBTQ+ Representation:
    The journal is increasingly publishing works that address LGBTQ+ narratives and issues, contributing to a broader discourse on sexuality and representation in African literature.

Declining or Waning

While 'Research in African Literatures' continues to thrive in many areas, some themes that have been prominent in the past are becoming less frequent in recent publications. This decline suggests a shift in the journal's focus or the evolving interests of its contributors.
  1. Postcolonial Critique:
    There appears to be a waning emphasis on traditional postcolonial critiques, as the discourse evolves towards more nuanced examinations of identity and intersectionality, reflecting a broader spectrum of contemporary issues.
  2. Historical Narratives:
    Themes centered around historical narratives, particularly those focused solely on colonial histories, seem to be less prevalent, as scholars increasingly engage with present-day implications and narratives of resistance.
  3. Gender Binary Discussions:
    Discussions that strictly adhere to binary gender frameworks are showing a decline, potentially reflecting a shift towards more inclusive and complex understandings of gender and sexuality in African literature.
  4. Regional Studies Focus:
    The journal is moving away from regionally confined studies, which may suggest a growing interest in transnational and diasporic perspectives that transcend geographical boundaries.
  5. Formalism and Structuralism:
    There is a noticeable decrease in formalist and structuralist approaches to literary analysis, as contemporary scholarship leans more towards socio-political and cultural critiques.

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