|
|
John M. Sloop, Editor
In his opening editorial statement for Communication and Critical/Cultural Studies, Robert Ivie observed of the journal's mission: "No one map of the territory dominates our collective imagination." Drawing upon the study of communication and the collective histories of critical and cultural studies, Ivie's editorship produced issues that demonstrate a rich collective imagination at work. While focusing in the most general sense on the types of work called for in the journal's editorial policy (i.e., works that promote critical reflection on the requirements of a more democratic culture), past essays have provided insight on contemporary institutions, economic policies, changing media environments, representational politics, and global politics, as well as raising issues pertaining to the critical project itself. The answer to Ivie's opening question, "What Are We About?," is answered powerfully in each issue.
Robert L.Ivie 'What Are We About?' Communication and Critical/Cultural Studies 1, (2004): 225
As I haven taken on the position of editing the journal over the past year, I have been gratified to discover that the submissions to the journal continue to draw up a terrain that exceeds any single person's critical or theoretical imagination. Moreover, I am impressed with the ways in which those who review for the journal-both those on the editorial board and those who have generously agreed to read submissions as topical experts-have displayed diligence, rigor, and prudence in their responses. As an international critical community, we continually and collectively push one another to stronger intellectual insights.
You will notice two changes starting from the first issue of 2007. First, the average page length of the journal has been increased in order to publish critical work in a more timely fashion. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, we have added a Forum, edited by Barbara Biesecker. As you will see, the Forum is meant to provide an outlet for relatively short statements on timely issues authored by scholars at different stages in their careers. While the topics will vary from issue to issue, the section will allow for a vibrant discussion of issues relevant to our mission.
Ultimately, then, I want to see the journal continue to maintain-if not surpass-the types of imaginative inquiry we have witnessed in its first three years. I would like to see more work that contemplates-and suggests routes toward-political change, as well as work that creates new research paths. My mission, then, is to produce work that is timely, detailed, rigorous, and politically meaningful, and that, most importantly, draws upon the diversity of our international community, the creativity of our collective imagination, and the strength of our different intellectual commitments.