This journal is fully international in focus, and responds to the promise of semiotics at a foundational level through attention to the arts and religion.
It responds to a perceived need and opportunity to develop a more comprehensive approach to the study of semiotics through practices that have existed from first cultures 60,000 years ago until today. The arts and religion on the one hand can be taken as applications of the established core theory of semiotics, which might for instance come from logic, culture or science. On the other hand arts and religion can be seen as a rich, indeed primordial, even essential, source of sign phenomenon. The ostracism of religion in the modern secular state, and its tertiary institutions, along with the opposition of arts and sciences, have led to sidelining of fields than could, according to strong argument on their role, be essential domains for contemporary semiotic study.
Whatever presumptions are made, it is felt that a scholarly approach, layered by meta semiotic categories, will result in an ecumenical basis for religious study, and indeed provide clarity and interdisciplinary understanding. Likewise, careful study of arts, especially multi form practices, will lead to appreciation and understanding.
This appears to be the only journal of its kind focusing on its preferred fields, especially religion and semiotics. The journal does not stop inquiry by authors into their own preferred faith – however this needs to written up in a dispassionate and shared frame that semiotic permits.
The journal allows formal, reviewed articles as well as informal correspondence and viewpoints, interviews and, in the case of the arts, reviews. We will keep in mind that our audience is international – however there is certainly space for fresh writing on the state of the arts today, informed by semiotic perspectives.
“The Journal of Semiotics, Arts and Religion” has biannual online and occasional print versions. Online editions are open sourced, and, it is anticipated, widely read. Statistics for downloads and views will be available. Faster publication schedules for individual papers will be sought. The journal maintains an inclusive and comprehensive brief, and contributions from all international scholars and writers of varied subject matters and approaches within a consensual, eclectic understanding of semiotics are invited. It is felt that wide subject matter and international contributions will assist—and indeed be necessary to develop—study in a specific region or country. The review/journal seeks to provide a repository of material and a digital and print footprint. It seeks to provide material that is accessible to a wide audience, with integrity of content and good quality of presentation. The journal seeks to maintain an ongoing and dynamic conversation, and comments on featured and selected papers will be encouraged.
Suitable papers can be migrated or republished from the sister publication “Southern Semiotic Review”. In main publication of “Journal of Semiotics, Arts and Religion” is online – however print editions or separate print editions are always being considered.
There will a facility for authors and supporters to make donations towards publication costs, and authors in particular welcome to do so. At present there is no charge for publication. We welcome bi-lingual papers.
In the event that this journal discontinues, its contents will be available on the same continuing site for a period of time to be announced.