Journal overview

Published by UNISA Press from 2022.

The Journal of Literary Studies publishes and globally disseminates original and cutting-edge research informed by Literary and Cultural Theory. The Journal is an independent quarterly publication owned and published by the Literature Association of South Africa in partnership with Unisa Press and Taylor & Francis. It is housed and produced in the division Theory of Literature at the University of South Africa and is accredited and subsidised by the South African Department of Higher Education and Training.


The aim of the journal is to publish articles and full-length review essays informed by Literary Theory in the General Literary Theory subject area and mostly covering Formalism, New Criticism, Semiotics, Structuralism, Marxism, Poststructuralism, Psychoanalysis, Gender studies, New Historicism, Ecocriticism, Animal Studies, Reception Theory, Comparative Literature, Narrative Theory, Drama Theory, Poetry Theory, and Biography and Autobiography.


The content of the journal consists of research articles and review essays of 5,000 to 7,000 words. Short reviews are not published. The target audience of the journal is scholars in the field of Literary and Cultural Studies. The main language medium is English but essays written in Afrikaans are also published.

Peer Review Policy
A double blind peer review process is followed. A minimum of two peer reviewers, who are recognised specialists specific to the topic and area of the submissions, are appointed by the editors. All peer review reports are mailed to the contributors.

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