Editor call: Cinema Journal
Call for Self-Nominations
Editor, Cinema Journal
The Society for Cinema and Media Studies (SCMS) seeks a new Editor and a new institutional home for its scholarly publication, Cinema Journal. Application deadline: September 30, 2011.
Background and History
Published by the SCMS since 1959, Cinema Journal is the second oldest scholarly publication devoted to the study of film and media studies in the United States.
Cinema Journal is published quarterly by the University of Texas Press. Members of the Society receive the journal as one of the benefits of membership. Cinema Journal is open to all areas of humanities-oriented scholarship in media studies. It welcomes submissions on film, television, radio, sound, and digital media. Considered one of the top journals in media studies, the acceptance rate is about 15 percent.
In addition to featuring in-depth engaging essays, Cinema Journal also includes:
• In Focus – a special thematic section of short essays published in each issue of Cinema Journal. The feature is compiled by a guest editor selected by the editor of Cinema Journal.
• Book Reviews – Reviews are featured in each issue of Cinema Journal and are generally matched thematically with the In Focus feature.
• Archival News – This online feature reports recent news highlights from the media archive community, including: acquisitions, preservation, institutional and organizational changes, exhibitions, awards, new DVD releases, online resources, and technology.
• Professional Notes -This online feature lists recent books published in media studies, as well as articles on film and TV published in non-media journals.
SCMS represents the interests of scholars in cinema and media studies through an international constituency that numbers over 2500 members. The organization is also a member of the American Council of Learned Societies.
Description and Policies of Cinema Journal
All essays submitted to Cinema Journal are blind refereed. In addition to scholarly essays, Cinema Journal publishes a section of thematically connected, short solicited essays as part of its In Focus section, Professional Notes, an Archival News column, essays on teaching, and an annual directory of SCMS members.
General Position Description
The Editor of Cinema Journal is primarily responsible for processing submissions, procuring readers, and corresponding with authors. The Editor also copyedits all manuscripts before submission to the University of Texas Press and insures that Cinema Journal’s various sections are submitted in a timely and professional manner. He or she also procures guest editors for the In Focus feature and assigns authors to write shorter features such as conference reports. The Editor is assisted by an Associate Editor, a Book Review Editor, and an editorial board. In addition, the Editor is expected to receive support from his/her home institution.
Editor’s Term and Obligations
The Cinema Journal Editor is selected by the SCMS Board of Directors. The Editor serves a five-year term, which may be renewed. The Editor is responsible for selecting an editorial board, whose members also serve a five-year term, subject to the approval of the SCMS Board of Directors.
The Editor serves as ex officio member of the SCMS Board of Directors. He/she attends all Board meetings (ordinarily twice each year) and reports to the Board on issues concerning Cinema Journal at these times. As part of the application process, the Editor submits a statement of interest, outline of his/her qualifications, and vision for the journal to the Board for its approval. Apart from approving the policy and the Editor’s proposed editorial board, the Board has no jurisdiction over the conduct of Cinema Journal.
Role of the Host Institution
The institution that houses Cinema Journal must supply the Editor with suitable office space, a computer, postage, fax services, office supplies, photocopying, an email account, and a long-distance telephone line. A part-time graduate student assistant should be assigned to help with proofreading, manuscript processing, correspondence, inquiries, clerical duties, and other miscellaneous chores. The Editor may also procure assistance from interns. The Editor must also be granted some course release time by his/her home institution.
The host institution supports the Editor’s travel expenses to the annual SCMS conference each spring so that he or she may attend the Board of Directors’ meeting that is held at that time. The expenses incurred by the Editor in connection with the Board’s fall meeting are covered by SCMS.
Benefits
Association with Cinema Journal enhances an institution’s visibility and prestige in the field of cinema and media studies. It offers the Editor an unparalleled familiarity with major issues of scholarly and disciplinary concern, as well as providing him or her with an in-depth knowledge of cutting-edge research. It also provides graduate student assistants and other students associated with the activities of the Editor a unique professional experience and an understanding of scholarly standards and conventions in cinema and media studies.
Timeline
The SCMS Board of Directors will ideally make its selection of a new Editor by January 1, 2012. The new Editor will not assume his/her role until one full year later, on January 1, 2013. This one year period between selection and appointment will allow for a smooth transition between the current and the new Editor. It will also ensure that the new Editor is fully conversant with his/her responsibilities and with the work flow of the journal itself (since In Focus and book reviews are assigned a year in advance of their publication).
Please submit your statement of interest to the Board of Directors as well as a summary of your qualifications and a statement of your vision for the journal by September 30, 2011 to:
The SCMS Board of Directors
Society for Cinema and Media Studies
University of Oklahoma
640 Parrington Oval
Wallace Old Science Hall, Room 300
Norman, OK 73019
E-Mail: office@cmstudies.org
