Signs (journal)

Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society is a leading academic journal in the field of women's studies, gender studies, and feminist theory. Established in 1975, the journal is published quarterly by the University of Chicago Press.

History

The journal was founded by Catharine R. Stimpson, a prominent scholar in the field of feminist literary criticism. Since its inception, Signs has been dedicated to publishing interdisciplinary and intersectional research that explores the roles, experiences, and representations of women and gender in society.

Scope and Content

Signs covers a wide range of topics within the fields of women's studies, gender studies, and feminist theory. Articles often address issues such as gender inequality, sexuality, race and ethnicity, class, and globalization. The journal is known for its rigorous peer-review process and its commitment to high-quality scholarship.

Editorial Board

The editorial board of Signs consists of leading scholars from various disciplines, including sociology, anthropology, history, literature, and political science. The current editor-in-chief is Suzanne Ferriss.

Notable Articles

Over the years, Signs has published numerous influential articles that have shaped the field of feminist theory and gender studies. Some of the most cited articles include:

• "Compulsory Heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence" by Adrienne Rich
• "Under Western Eyes: Feminist Scholarship and Colonial Discourses" by Chandra Talpade Mohanty
• "The Traffic in Women: Notes on the 'Political Economy' of Sex" by Gayle Rubin

Special Issues

Signs frequently publishes special issues that focus on specific themes or topics within women's studies and gender studies. These special issues often feature contributions from leading scholars and provide comprehensive overviews of emerging areas of research.

Abstracting and Indexing

Signs is abstracted and indexed in several major databases, including JSTOR, Project MUSE, and the Social Sciences Citation Index. The journal has a high impact factor, reflecting its influence and importance in the field of feminist scholarship.

Access

The journal is available both in print and online. Subscriptions can be obtained through the University of Chicago Press, and individual articles can be accessed through various academic databases.

See Also

• Feminist theory
• Gender studies
• Women's studies
• Intersectionality
• University of Chicago Press