Spectrum

Scope & Guideline

Connecting Ideas, Cultures, and Discourses.

Introduction

Immerse yourself in the scholarly insights of Spectrum 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.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN2162-3244
PublisherINDIANA UNIV PRESS
Support Open AccessNo
Country-
Type-
Converge-
AbbreviationSPECTRUM-J BLACK MEN / Spectrum
Frequency2 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 'Spectrum' aims to provide a platform for scholarly discourse on issues surrounding African American experiences, identities, and social justice. It focuses on a variety of interdisciplinary approaches to highlight the narratives and contributions of Black individuals and communities, especially in the context of historical and contemporary societal challenges.
  1. Exploration of African American Narratives:
    The journal emphasizes the importance of personal and collective narratives within the African American community, providing a voice to underrepresented stories and experiences that shape their identity.
  2. Critical Examination of Social Justice Issues:
    Research published in 'Spectrum' often critiques systemic injustices faced by Black individuals, including policing, education, and health disparities, aiming to raise awareness and propose solutions.
  3. Interdisciplinary Approaches to Scholarship:
    The journal encourages contributions from various fields such as sociology, history, literature, and cultural studies, allowing for a richer, multifaceted understanding of the topics addressed.
  4. Celebration of Black Culture and Heritage:
    Through tributes and biographical studies, the journal pays homage to notable figures in Black history and culture, fostering a greater appreciation for their contributions to society.
  5. Support for Educational Initiatives:
    Articles often focus on educational strategies and programs aimed at empowering the next generation of Black scholars, particularly in higher education settings.
In recent years, 'Spectrum' has embraced several trending themes that reflect the current socio-political landscape and the evolving discourse surrounding Black identities and experiences. These emerging themes indicate a strong relevance to contemporary issues faced by African American communities.
  1. Counterstorytelling and Resistance:
    There is a growing emphasis on counterstorytelling as a method to challenge dominant narratives surrounding Black men and other marginalized groups, highlighting resilience against systemic oppression.
  2. Health and Wellbeing of Black Communities:
    Recent publications increasingly focus on health disparities and the barriers to healthy living among Black individuals, particularly in educational settings, indicating a recognition of health as a critical social justice issue.
  3. Intersectionality and Identity Politics:
    The journal is increasingly exploring themes of intersectionality, examining how race intersects with other identities such as gender, class, and sexuality, which is crucial for understanding the complexities of Black experiences.
  4. Cultural Representation and Media Influence:
    Emerging discussions on the impact of media representations, particularly in television and film, underscore the importance of representation in shaping societal perceptions and self-identity among Black communities.
  5. Community Activism and Social Movements:
    With the rise of social movements, there is a trend towards documenting and analyzing grassroots activism within Black communities, emphasizing the role of collective action in driving social change.

Declining or Waning

While 'Spectrum' continues to address a wide array of topics relevant to the African American experience, certain themes appear to be declining in prominence over recent years. This may reflect shifts in societal focus or the journal's evolving editorial direction.
  1. Traditional Historical Analysis:
    There is a noticeable reduction in traditional historical analyses that focus solely on past events without connecting them to contemporary issues, suggesting a shift towards more current and applied research.
  2. Generalized Discussions on Race:
    Papers that address race in a broad, generic manner without focusing specifically on Black experiences or identities have become less frequent, indicating a trend towards more nuanced discussions.
  3. Overarching Political Commentary:
    While political themes remain relevant, the journal has moved away from generalized political commentary to more specific analyses of local and community-level issues impacting African Americans.
  4. Focus on Individual Success Stories:
    There has been a decline in papers that solely highlight individual success narratives without contextualizing them within systemic challenges faced by the community, suggesting a shift towards collective experiences and struggles.

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