Social Text

Scope & Guideline

Innovating Conversations in Anthropology and Beyond

Introduction

Welcome to the Social Text 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 Social Text, 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
ISSN0164-2472
PublisherDUKE UNIV PRESS
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited States
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 2019 to 2024
AbbreviationSOC TEXT / Soc. Text
Frequency4 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
Address905 W MAIN ST, STE 18-B, DURHAM, NC 27701

Aims and Scopes

Social Text is a journal that critically engages with contemporary social issues through a multidisciplinary lens, prioritizing intersectional approaches and cultural critique. It aims to foster dialogues that intersect various domains such as race, gender, class, and ecology, and often challenges traditional academic boundaries. The journal's emphasis on activism and theoretical innovation positions it as a unique contributor to the fields of cultural studies and social theory.
  1. Cultural Critique and Social Theory:
    The journal focuses on analyzing and critiquing cultural phenomena, emphasizing how cultural practices intersect with social structures, power dynamics, and historical contexts.
  2. Intersectionality and Identity Politics:
    It explores the complexities of identity formation, particularly regarding race, gender, and sexuality, and how these identities inform experiences of oppression and resistance.
  3. Activism and Social Change:
    Social Text encourages scholarship that not only critiques but also engages with social movements, promoting perspectives that advocate for justice and transformative action.
  4. Ecological and Urban Studies:
    The journal addresses contemporary ecological issues and urban dynamics, exploring how these themes relate to social justice, sustainability, and community resilience.
  5. Art and Aesthetics:
    It examines the role of art and aesthetic practices in shaping social consciousness and political discourse, often featuring interdisciplinary approaches that include performance, visual culture, and new media.
Recent publications in Social Text reveal a clear trend towards exploring themes that resonate with current global challenges and social movements. The journal's focus is evolving to address pressing issues, reflecting the dynamic nature of social critique in contemporary society.
  1. Postcolonial and Decolonial Studies:
    There is an increasing emphasis on postcolonial and decolonial frameworks, exploring the legacies of colonialism and the ongoing impacts on marginalized communities, particularly in relation to identity and power.
  2. Climate Justice and Environmental Activism:
    Recent papers highlight the intersections of climate change with social justice, advocating for frameworks that address ecological issues through a lens of equity and activism.
  3. Digital Culture and Surveillance:
    The exploration of digital technologies, their impact on society, and the implications of surveillance capitalism represent a growing area of interest, reflecting contemporary concerns regarding privacy and data politics.
  4. Abolitionist Politics:
    The journal is increasingly publishing work that engages with abolitionist thought, particularly in relation to policing, incarceration, and broader systems of oppression, indicating a shift towards radical reimagining of social institutions.
  5. Trans and Queer Theory:
    There is a notable rise in discussions surrounding trans and queer identities, particularly in relation to feminism, social justice, and cultural production, highlighting the need for inclusive and diverse theoretical frameworks.

Declining or Waning

While Social Text continues to thrive in many areas, there are certain themes that appear to be declining in prominence over the recent years. This reflects a possible shift in focus towards more urgent contemporary issues or evolving methodologies in social critique.
  1. Traditional Economic Analysis:
    Papers that focus solely on conventional economic theories or analyses of capitalism without an intersectional framework have become less frequent, indicating a shift towards more nuanced explorations of economic systems that incorporate social justice.
  2. Historical Revisionism without Contemporary Relevance:
    Discussions centered on historical events that do not connect to current social movements or theories are appearing less frequently, suggesting a preference for scholarship that ties past events to contemporary issues.
  3. Narrowly Defined Feminist Frameworks:
    While feminist discourse remains vital, there is a noticeable decline in papers that adhere to narrowly defined feminist theories without incorporating intersectional perspectives, as the journal increasingly emphasizes the need for intersectionality in feminist analysis.

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