SOCIAL COMPASS
Scope & Guideline
Charting New Territories in Social Inquiry
Introduction
Aims and Scopes
- Interdisciplinary Studies of Religion:
The journal emphasizes the intersection of religion with other social phenomena, encouraging contributions that analyze religious practices, beliefs, and identities through various disciplinary lenses. - Global Perspectives on Religiosity:
It seeks to understand and document diverse religious experiences and transformations across different cultural and geographical contexts, reflecting on how globalization affects local religious practices. - Exploration of Secularism and Non-Religion:
A significant focus is placed on secularism and the experiences of non-religious individuals and groups, examining how these identities interact with traditional religious frameworks. - Methodological Innovations:
'Social Compass' promotes the use of innovative and reflexive methodologies in studying religion, spirituality, and secularism, including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method approaches. - Engagement with Contemporary Social Issues:
The journal addresses pressing social issues such as gender, sexuality, environmentalism, and political movements, exploring how these intersect with religious beliefs and practices. - Youth and Religion:
A notable emphasis is placed on the exploration of youth engagement with religion and spirituality, particularly how younger generations navigate their identities in a changing social landscape. - Religious Diversity and Pluralism:
The journal examines the dynamics of religious pluralism and the coexistence of multiple faiths within societies, focusing on interfaith dialogues and conflicts.
Trending and Emerging
- Environmental Spirituality:
Recent publications increasingly explore the intersection of spirituality and environmental issues, reflecting a growing recognition of the role that religious beliefs play in environmental activism and eco-theology. - Intersectionality in Religious Studies:
There is a marked trend towards examining intersectional identities within religious contexts, particularly how gender, sexuality, and race influence religious experiences and practices. - Youth Activism and Religion:
The journal is witnessing an upsurge in research focused on young people's activism within religious contexts, highlighting how youth engage with social justice issues, including climate change and LGBTQ+ rights. - Transnational Religious Movements:
Emerging themes include the study of transnational religious movements and their impact on local cultures, reflecting the globalized nature of contemporary religious practice. - Spirituality in Crisis Contexts:
There is an increasing focus on how spirituality manifests in crisis situations (e.g., pandemics, migration), examining the role of faith in coping mechanisms and community resilience. - Digital Religion:
The exploration of how digital technologies affect religious practice and community formation is gaining traction, with studies examining online religious communities and digital expressions of faith.
Declining or Waning
- Traditional Religious Authority:
There has been a noticeable decline in papers that focus on established religious authorities and institutions. The journal's recent issues have shifted towards more grassroots and lived experiences of religion, moving away from traditional hierarchical structures. - Historical Analysis of Religions:
Themes centered around historical analysis of specific religions, particularly those that do not connect to contemporary issues, are less frequently represented. The focus has shifted towards current social dynamics and their implications for religious practices. - Exclusively Theoretical Discussions:
Papers that solely engage in theoretical discourse without empirical grounding are becoming less common. The journal is increasingly favoring research that combines theory with practical case studies and real-world implications. - Static Views of Secularism:
Contributions that depict secularism as a fixed or unchanging phenomenon are declining. Instead, the journal is increasingly interested in the dynamic and fluid nature of secular identities and practices. - Focus on Major World Religions:
There is a waning interest in studies that focus exclusively on major world religions (e.g., Christianity, Islam, Judaism) without considering the broader context of syncretism and emerging spiritual movements.
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