THEORY AND SOCIETY

Scope & Guideline

Bridging Disciplines to Illuminate the Human Experience.

Introduction

Immerse yourself in the scholarly insights of THEORY AND 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
ISSN0304-2421
PublisherSPRINGER
Support Open AccessNo
CountryNetherlands
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 1974 to 2024
AbbreviationTHEOR SOC / Theory Soc.
Frequency6 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
AddressVAN GODEWIJCKSTRAAT 30, 3311 GZ DORDRECHT, NETHERLANDS

Aims and Scopes

THEORY AND SOCIETY focuses on advancing sociological theory through a diverse range of topics that intersect with contemporary societal issues. The journal aims to contribute to theoretical discussions while grounding them in empirical research, thereby bridging the gap between theory and real-world applications.
  1. Sociological Theory Development:
    The journal emphasizes the development of sociological theories that address contemporary social phenomena, encouraging critical engagement with classical theories while fostering new theoretical frameworks.
  2. Interdisciplinary Approaches:
    Research published in THEORY AND SOCIETY often employs interdisciplinary methodologies, drawing from fields such as political science, economics, and cultural studies to enrich sociological inquiry.
  3. Social Movements and Political Sociology:
    A core area of focus is the study of social movements, political processes, and conflicts, analyzing how these elements shape societal structures and individual agency.
  4. Cultural Sociology:
    The journal explores cultural dimensions of social life, including identity formation, symbolism, and the role of cultural practices in societal change.
  5. Globalization and Transnationalism:
    The impact of globalization on local cultures and institutions is a recurring theme, with studies examining transnational networks and their influence on social dynamics.
  6. Social Inequality and Justice:
    There is a consistent focus on issues of social inequality, justice, and the mechanisms through which these are perpetuated or challenged within various contexts.
Recent publications in THEORY AND SOCIETY reveal emerging themes that reflect contemporary societal challenges and theoretical advancements. These trends highlight the journal's responsiveness to evolving social dynamics and scholarly discourse.
  1. Digital Sociology and Technology:
    An increasing number of papers are exploring the implications of digital technologies on social interactions, identities, and institutions, indicating a trend towards understanding the sociological impact of the digital age.
  2. Climate Change and Social Justice:
    There is a growing focus on the intersections of climate change, social justice, and activism, reflecting an urgent need to address environmental issues within a sociopolitical context.
  3. Crisis and Resilience in Societal Structures:
    Papers examining societal responses to crises—be it political, health-related, or economic—are trending, showcasing how societies adapt and transform in the face of adversity.
  4. Emotional and Psychological Dimensions of Social Life:
    Research is increasingly probing the emotional and psychological aspects of social interactions and political movements, highlighting how affect shapes societal dynamics.
  5. Global Migration and Identity:
    Studies on migration, transnational identities, and the social implications of global mobility are gaining traction, reflecting contemporary debates on nationalism and belonging.
  6. Intersectionality in Social Analysis:
    The application of intersectionality as a framework for analyzing social issues is emerging as a significant theme, recognizing the complexity of identities and their effects on social dynamics.

Declining or Waning

As society evolves, so too do the themes explored in academic literature. In recent years, THEORY AND SOCIETY has seen a decline in certain topics that were once prominent, reflecting shifts in scholarly interests and societal concerns.
  1. Traditional Approaches to Sociology:
    There appears to be a waning interest in traditional, positivist approaches to sociology, as researchers increasingly favor qualitative and mixed-method approaches that emphasize complexity and context.
  2. Historical Analysis of Classical Theories:
    While historical analyses of classical sociological theories were once common, there is now a noticeable decline in papers focused solely on revisiting or critiquing these theories without applying them to contemporary issues.
  3. Macro-level Sociological Studies:
    Research focusing solely on macro-level social structures without attention to micro-level interactions is becoming less frequent, as scholars shift towards understanding the interplay between individual agency and structural factors.

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