Focus and Scope
Journal of American Folklore, the quarterly journal of the American Folklore Society since the Society’s founding in 1888, publishes scholarly articles and other features, notes and commentaries directed at a wide variety of audiences, as well as separate sections devoted to reviews and obituaries. Materials reviewed in the journal include books, exhibitions and events, sound recordings, films and videos, websites and internet media. The content of the journal reflects a wide range of professional concerns, theoretical orientations, and communicative modes. The journal publishes articles, reviews, polemics, notes on practice, poetry and short fiction on matters fundamental to the field, commentaries, and obituaries. “Articles” present significant research findings and theoretical analyses from folklore and related fields. They may include black-and-white photos and other figures; additional photos or supplementary media may be included in the journal’s associated web site. “Reviews” are of many kinds and are usually assigned. “Polemics” are narrower in scope and focus on a single, often provocative issue of significance to the field. “Notes on practice” are informational pieces focusing on essential or specialized tasks that folklorists undertake in their work. “Commentaries,” included in the “Dialogues” section, address topics raised in earlier articles. The views expressed in the journal are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the society or its officers.
Section Policies
Articles
 Open Submissions |
Indexed |
Peer Reviewed |
Peer Review Process
Submissions are evaluated first by the JAF editorial staff, and then, if found appropriate for the journal, are sent for “double blind” review to two qualified referees.