SPECULUM-A JOURNAL OF MEDIEVAL STUDIES

Scope & Guideline

Unveiling the Rich Tapestry of the Middle Ages

Introduction

Welcome to your portal for understanding SPECULUM-A JOURNAL OF MEDIEVAL STUDIES, featuring guidelines for its aims and scope. Our guidelines cover trending and emerging topics, identifying the forefront of research. Additionally, we track declining topics, offering insights into areas experiencing reduced scholarly attention. Key highlights include highly cited topics and recently published papers, curated within these guidelines to assist you in navigating influential academic dialogues.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN0038-7134
PublisherUNIV CHICAGO PRESS
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited States
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 1926 to 1995, from 1998 to 1999, from 2001 to 2024
AbbreviationSPECULUM / Speculum-J. Mediev. Stud.
Frequency4 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
Address1427 E 60TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60637-2954

Aims and Scopes

SPECULUM: A Journal of Medieval Studies serves as a vital platform for scholarly discourse on various aspects of the medieval period. The journal's focus encompasses a wide array of topics, methodologies, and interdisciplinary approaches, making it a comprehensive resource for researchers and academics in the field.
  1. Medieval Literature and Textual Studies:
    The journal emphasizes the exploration of medieval literature, including textual analysis, manuscript studies, and the evolution of literary forms. This includes works from notable authors such as Chaucer and Dante, as well as lesser-known texts.
  2. Cultural Interactions and Exchanges:
    A significant area of focus is the examination of cultural exchanges between different societies during the medieval period, including interactions between Christians, Jews, and Muslims. This includes studies on the impact of trade, migration, and conquest on cultural identities.
  3. Art and Visual Culture:
    The journal highlights the significance of art and visual culture in the medieval world, exploring topics such as iconography, architecture, and the role of visual arts in religious and secular contexts.
  4. Social History and Gender Studies:
    Research exploring social structures, class dynamics, and gender roles in medieval societies is prevalent. This includes studies on the lives of women, the aristocracy, and marginalized communities.
  5. Religious and Philosophical Thought:
    The journal also delves into the theological and philosophical developments of the medieval era, examining the influence of key figures and the interplay between faith, reason, and societal norms.
  6. Historical Methodologies:
    SPECULUM encourages innovative historical methodologies, including interdisciplinary approaches that integrate archaeology, anthropology, and literary criticism to enrich the understanding of medieval societies.
In recent years, SPECULUM has witnessed the emergence of several trending themes that reflect current scholarly interests and societal issues. These themes highlight the dynamic nature of medieval studies and its relevance to contemporary discussions.
  1. Interdisciplinary Approaches:
    There is a growing trend towards interdisciplinary research that combines history with fields such as gender studies, cultural studies, and environmental history, reflecting a broader understanding of medieval society.
  2. Postcolonial and Global Perspectives:
    Research that examines medieval history from postcolonial and global perspectives is on the rise. Scholars are increasingly exploring how medieval societies interacted with and influenced each other across geographical boundaries.
  3. Studies on Race and Ethnicity:
    The exploration of race and ethnicity in medieval contexts is gaining prominence, with scholars investigating how these concepts were constructed and represented in medieval literature and society.
  4. Digital Humanities:
    The integration of digital tools and methodologies in medieval studies is becoming more prevalent, allowing for innovative approaches to manuscript studies, text analysis, and visualization of historical data.
  5. Environmental History:
    An emerging focus on environmental history examines the relationship between medieval societies and their natural environments, addressing issues such as resource management, climate change, and ecological impacts.

Declining or Waning

While SPECULUM continues to thrive in various research areas, certain themes have seen a decline in focus over recent years. This waning interest may reflect shifting scholarly priorities or the evolving landscape of medieval studies.
  1. Traditional Military History:
    There has been a noticeable decrease in publications focused solely on traditional military history, such as detailed battle accounts or strategies, as scholars increasingly incorporate broader social and cultural contexts into their analyses.
  2. Solely National Perspectives:
    Research that emphasizes singular national perspectives, particularly in isolation from transnational or comparative approaches, appears to be declining. Scholars are now more inclined to adopt global or interconnected viewpoints.
  3. Static Interpretations of Iconography:
    The interpretation of iconography in isolation has waned, with scholars preferring to contextualize artworks within broader cultural, social, and historical frameworks rather than focusing solely on iconographic analysis.
  4. Exclusive Textual Analysis:
    Papers focusing exclusively on textual analysis without considering the socio-political or cultural implications of the texts are becoming less common. There is a growing trend towards integrating textual studies with interdisciplinary methodologies.
  5. Narrowly Defined Religious Studies:
    Research confined to narrow religious contexts without considering the interactions between different faiths and their broader societal implications is becoming less prevalent.

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