About the Journal
Aims and Scope of the JCSW
The Jahrbuch für Christliche Sozialwissenschaften, JCSW (Annals of Christian Social Ethics) is the leading journal in (Catholic) Christian social ethics in the German-speaking world. Regarding its topics and its authors, the JCSW has a scope that is ecumenical, interdisciplinary and international. The JCSW is published annually; articles are published in German and in English. The aim of the JCSW is to analyse and discuss the challenges of contemporary social life at the highest scientific level. JCSW papers place emphasis on highlighting underlying societal mechanisms and their normative implications for society. These papers aim at understanding the social, political, cultural and economic contexts for ethical questions. The JCSW was founded in 1960. Since 2010, the JCSW has been edited by Marianne Heimbach-Steins, director of the Institut für Christliche Sozialwissenschaften (Institute for Christian Social Sciences) at the Catholic Theology Department of the Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster.
As contributors to a scholarly platform, we also see our responsibility in providing access to high quality, independent, open access, peer-reviewed research for the broadest possible community. Starting with volume 61, the JCSW therefore follows the principle of open access. All funding is via donations, which comes from the members of the “Verein der Freunde des Instituts für Christliche Sozialwissenschaften e. V.”. The JCSW also aspires to provide an excellent publication opportunity for young and upcoming scholars and researchers in Christian social ethics.
Scientific Quality Assurance
The standards of scientific quality assurance are of utmost importance for the JCSW. In this way, the JCSW seeks to further a heightened profile of the discipline of Christian social ethics within the context of academic theology and beyond. We strive to do justice to our responsibility as one of the leading journals in the field with respect to the scientific community.
Therefore, all submissions are subject to an open-ended review process. Research articles go through a double-blind peer-review process. Qualified reviewers assess the submitted manuscripts based on four criteria: (i) relevance in the field of Christian social ethics, (ii) originality, (iii) methodological appropriateness and logical coherence, (iv) clarity and conciseness of presentation. Reviewers' comments are usually made available to authors in anonymous form in order to facilitate further improvement of the paper. Manuscripts that are inappropriate or insufficiently developed may be returned to the author(s) without formal review. All other submissions (e. g., overtures, essays, reports) go through an editorial review process. The editorial team reviews the submitted manuscripts primarily on their thematic relevance and logical adequacy, but structure, writing and presentation style are also considered.
For further information please refer to the detailed Infopaper.
