ISSN 1011-7601 printed version
ISSN 2413-3027 online version

INSTRUCTIONS TO AUTHORS

• Scope and Editorial Policy
• Open Access Policy
• Article Review Process
• Manuscript Format and layout
• Submissions

The Journal for the Study of Religion (JSR) is published by the Association for the Study of Religion in Southern Africa (ASRSA). JSR is an international peer–reviewed and accredited journal that publishes interdisciplinary contributions in the study of religion. JSR invites articles, and responses to articles of up to 10 000 words dealing with topics relevant to the contemporary scholarly significance of the academic comparative study of religion. (Longer articles may also be considered for publication.) Book reviews between 1000–1200 words are also welcome.

The journal’s main area of interest is the phenomenological and comparative study of the diversity of religions, religious traditions, and the religious movements and formations of Southern Africa. Since we foster the equal recognition of all religions, research on the prevalence, relevance, and practicing of World Religions in both local and global contexts, is also encouraged. Research contributions may focus on any of the dimensions of religion, religiously shared or specific values, and the historical and/ or current problematization and contextualisation of religions or religious discourse.

We encourage the use of currently significant interdisciplinary theories and methodologies deriving from the Human and Social Sciences in research, and in teaching and learning. As such, contributions should preferably engage but not be limited to the following topics: religion and culture, religion and society, religion and civil society, religion and/in education, religion and gender, women in religion and culture, religion and feminism, religion and social transformation, religion and ecology, religion and the media, religion and technology, religion and materialism, religion and ethics, religion and migration, religion and ethnicity, and religion and power.

Journal for the Study of Religion is an Open Access journal which means that all content is freely available without charge to the user or his/her institution. Users are allowed to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of the articles, or use them for any other lawful purpose, without asking prior permission from the publisher or the author. This is in accordance with the BOAI definition of Open Access.

All article submissions to JSR undergo a two–fold review process.

1. Desktop Review Process

   The first review process is a “desktop review” conducted by the Editor–in–Chief and Managing Editor. This review process ensures that the article submission fits the scope of JSR and complies with the JSR Author submission guidelines.

2. Blind Peer–Review Process

   The second review process is the blind peer–review process. Each article is reviewed by at least two peer reviewers. The Editor–in–Chief, Managing Editor or respective appointed guest editor will select a reviewer from the pool of reviewers, and send the article, together with the JSR Article Review Form to the reviewer.

   The reviewer must conduct the review and submit the report to the relevant editor within six weeks. The editor(s) will then inform the author(s) of the article, whether the article has been accepted for publication or not. In the event that it is not approved for publication by one reviewer, the editor will identify a third reviewer for the article, who equally have a maximum of six weeks for producing the review.

   The relevant editor will also submit an appropriate summary of the review report to the author(s) of the article, indicating the improvements or changes to the article needed before publication. If there are suggested improvements or changes suggested by a reviewer that the author(s) do not want to accommodate, they need to state that with reason(s) to the editor.

   The criteria by which reviewers are asked to judge submissions, are listed under Review Guidelines.

   All members of the Association for the Study of Religion in Southern Africa (ASRSA) must register on OJS JSR as reviewers, if they so wish. Experts in the field of the study of religion or those adjudged to be sufficiently knowledgeable of the field, and who wish to also function as reviewers, must likewise register as reviewers.

1. Submission of a research or review article implies that it has not been previously published and is not simultaneously being considered for publication elsewhere. Responsibility for opinions expressed and for the accuracy of facts published in articles and reviews rests solely with the individual author(s). The maximum length of articles is 10 000 words, and for reviews 1000 words.
2. Articles must be numbered consecutively, double–spaced complete with all notes, bibliographical references (see below) and tables. Titled tables and captioned figures must be professionally done and legibly cited in the text. The editors cannot redraw any figure unless the author pays for the cost of such work.
3. All bibliographical references should be cited in the text with a full stop following the closing bracket (Chidester 2000:34). Where necessary, use endnotes for more elaborate notes. A full bibliography in ascending alphabetical order of works cited must be provided at the end of the article un “References”.
4. The editors reserve the right to copyedit and proof all articles accepted for publication. Authors will review their copyedited manuscripts in pdf form. Acceptance of the article will imply assignment of copyright by its author(s) to the JSR.
5. Articles submitted must include after heading an abstract of about 100 words summarizing the main contentions of the article, and must provide brief details about the author and his/her academic and email addresses.
6. The journal supports the use of gender–inclusive language.
7. For reasons of typesetting, articles should be submitted via email, using Microsoft Word. (In exceptional circumstances, articles submitted in printed form could be considered).
8. Three printed, double–spaced copies of the article must be supplied with the submission and submitted to the Managing Editor.
9. Articles by authors at South African universities which are published in the Journal for the Study of Religion will be subject to a page charge of R 400 per page. On publication such authors will receive an invoice for the amount due, which should be presented to the appropriate authority at their university for payment.
10. Please send all articles to the Editor–in–Chief and Managing Editor at the following addresses:
    
    
    • The Editor–in–Chief: Prof. Johan Strijdom (strijjm@hotmail.com / strijjm@unisa.ac.za)
    • The Managing Editor: Dr. Lee Scharnick–Udemans (laestrellaoccluyo@gmail.com / lscharnickudemans@uwc.ac.za)

Format for References

Journal article by one author:
Settler, F. 2012. Frantz Fanon’s Ambivalence towards Religion. Journal for the Study of Religion 25,2: 5–21.

Journal article by two authors:
Simmonds, S. & C. Roux 2013. Engaging with Human Rights and Gender in Curriculum Spaces: A Religion and Education (RaE) Perspective. Alternation Special Edition 10: 76–99.

Book by one author:
Chidester, D. 1997. Savage Systems. Colonialism and Comparative Religion in Southern Africa. Cape Town: University of Cape Town Press.

Book by two authors:
MacKinnon, M.H. & M McIntyre 1995. Readings in Ecology and Feminist Theology. Kansas City MO: Sheed and Ward.

Book by one editor:
Webb, G.M. (ed.) 2000. Windows of Faith. Muslim Women’s Scholar Activists in North America. Syracuse: Syracuse University Press.

Book by two editors:
Eaton, H. & L.A. Lorentzen (eds.) 2003. Ecofeminism and Globalization: Exploring Culture, Context and Religion. Lanham: Rowman and Littlefield Publishers.

Chapter in an edited book:
ter Haar, G. 2011. Religion and Development: Introducing a New Debate. In ter Haar, G. (ed): Religion and Development: Ways of Transforming the World. London: Hurst & Company.

Translated book:
Foucault, Michel 1977. Discipline and Punish. Sheridan, A (trans.). New York: Pantheon.

Online resource:
Hobgood–Oster, Laura n.d. Ecofeminism: Historic and International Evolution. Available at: http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/bron/pdf--christianity/Hobgood-Oster--Ecofeminism-International%20Evolution.pdf. (Accessed on 31 August 2014.)

Submission of a research or review article implies that it has not been previously published and is not simultaneously being considered for publication elsewhere. Responsibility for opinions expressed and for the accuracy of facts published in articles and reviews rests solely with the individual author(s).