THEORY CULTURE & SOCIETY

Scope & Guideline

Advancing critical dialogue in social theory.

Introduction

Immerse yourself in the scholarly insights of THEORY CULTURE & SOCIETY 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
ISSN0263-2764
PublisherSAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited Kingdom
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 1982 to 2024
AbbreviationTHEOR CULT SOC / Theory Cult. Soc.
Frequency8 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
Address1 OLIVERS YARD, 55 CITY ROAD, LONDON EC1Y 1SP, ENGLAND

Aims and Scopes

THEORY CULTURE & SOCIETY focuses on the intersection of theory, culture, and society, exploring critical social issues through interdisciplinary lenses. The journal emphasizes contemporary theoretical frameworks and sociocultural critiques, fostering discussions that span various domains including politics, philosophy, and cultural studies.
  1. Interdisciplinary Theoretical Frameworks:
    The journal engages with a wide array of theoretical perspectives, including but not limited to critical theory, posthumanism, and pragmatism. This interdisciplinary approach allows for a rich exploration of contemporary issues.
  2. Cultural Critique and Analysis:
    A core focus is the critique of cultural phenomena, examining how culture shapes and is shaped by societal structures. This includes analyses of art, media, and public discourse.
  3. Political and Social Issues:
    The journal addresses pressing political and social issues, such as neoliberalism, colonialism, and environmental crises, through a theoretical lens, aiming to contribute to broader societal debates.
  4. Engagement with Key Thinkers:
    Engagement with influential theorists like Bruno Latour, Judith Butler, and Michel Foucault is prevalent, reflecting the journal's commitment to critical discourse and the relevance of these thinkers in contemporary debates.
  5. Focus on Contemporary Challenges:
    The scope includes addressing contemporary challenges such as digital society, climate change, and social justice, aiming to explore their implications through theoretical inquiry.
Recent publications in THEORY CULTURE & SOCIETY indicate emerging themes that reflect current societal concerns and scholarly interests. These trends highlight the journal's responsiveness to contemporary issues and theoretical innovations.
  1. Digital Society and Technology:
    There is a growing focus on the implications of digital technology on society, including discussions around social media, digital capitalism, and algorithmic governance, reflecting the pervasive influence of technology in contemporary life.
  2. Environmental and Ecological Critique:
    Emerging themes around ecological crises and environmental justice are increasingly prominent, indicating a shift towards addressing the Anthropocene and the interconnections between culture, society, and the environment.
  3. Posthumanism and New Materialism:
    The journal is witnessing a rise in interest in posthumanist perspectives and new materialism, exploring how these frameworks challenge traditional notions of subjectivity and agency in a rapidly changing world.
  4. Decolonial Thought and Anti-colonialism:
    Decolonial and anti-colonial perspectives are gaining traction, reflecting a broader scholarly commitment to addressing historical injustices and rethinking power dynamics in a global context.
  5. Critical Engagement with Populism and Neoliberalism:
    There is an increasing examination of populism and neoliberalism, particularly in relation to their effects on democracy and public discourse, signaling the journal's engagement with urgent political issues.

Declining or Waning

As the journal evolves, certain themes appear to be losing prominence, reflecting shifts in scholarly focus and societal interest. The following areas are noted for their declining presence in recent publications.
  1. Traditional Marxist Analysis:
    While Marxist theory remains influential, there is a noticeable decline in traditional Marxist analyses, with a shift towards more nuanced discussions that incorporate intersectionality and postcolonial perspectives.
  2. Classical Philosophical Debates:
    Discussions focused solely on classical philosophical debates, particularly those not linked to contemporary issues, are becoming less frequent, as the journal leans towards applied theoretical frameworks.
  3. Static Theoretical Paradigms:
    There appears to be a waning interest in static or overly rigid theoretical paradigms that do not adapt to current sociocultural dynamics, as scholars increasingly favor more fluid and adaptable approaches.
  4. Focus on Regional Studies:
    While regional studies have been an important aspect of the journal, there has been a decrease in papers solely focused on specific geographic contexts without broader theoretical implications.
  5. Historical Analysis of Theories:
    Historical analyses of theories, particularly those that do not connect to present-day issues or debates, are appearing less frequently, indicating a preference for contemporary relevance.

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