About the Journal

Focus and Scope

This interdisciplinary journal will publish high-quality, peer-reviewed research on issues of American civic literacy, defined as that level of public knowledge necessary to informed civic participation. Civic literacy for our purposes encompasses an acquaintance with American history, both episodic and intellectual, an understanding of the nation’s constituent documents, their roots, and their subsequent amendment and interpretation, and sufficient familiarity with and comprehension of basic economic and policy terminology to permit the formation of informed opinions on matters of policy disputation.

The journal invites research going well beyond simple measurements of such indicators of civic literacy. We are interested in the causes and consequences of low levels of literacy, the role of public education, the comparative efficacy of available curricula used in the schools, the connections between the current media environment and poor civic understandings, and the role of civic literacy in defining ethical and trustworthy public service. We also welcome theoretical submissions that consider the role of civic knowledge in American political and religious life.

Publisher

The Journal of Civic Literacy is published by the Indiana University Center for Civic Literacy. This journal is hosted and supported by IU Indianapolis University Library.

Schedule

The journal will initially be published twice a year by the Center for Civic Literacy at IU Indianapolis. Its editorial board will include scholars representing a wide range of disciplines: political science, public administration, education, science, religious studies and business.

Peer Review Process

There will be at least two reviewers for every submission and reviews are typically conducted in 4 weeks.

Reviewers have been recruited for their scholarly background in Civic Literacy and represent a cross section of major disciplines that the Journal of Civic Literacy would like to integrate into the discussion. Notably these disciplines include:

  • Education
  • Religious Studies
  • Law
  • Social Work
  • Biology
  • Medicine