FOCUS AND SCOPE

FOCUS AND SCOPE

Kawanua International Journal of Multicultural Studies (KIJMS) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal dedicated to advancing scholarly understanding of multiculturalism at the intersections of law, religion, education, and society. Published biannually by the Institut Agama Islam Negeri Manado, Indonesia, KIJMS provides an international platform for rigorous empirical research, comparative analyses, and theoretical innovations that address the complexities of pluralism, justice, and coexistence in diverse societies.

The journal particularly welcomes interdisciplinary scholarship that bridges Islamic traditions with contemporary challenges in multicultural contexts, filling a critical gap in global academic discourse on religious pluralism, legal frameworks for diversity, and inclusive education.

THEMATIC AREAS

KIJMS focuses on four interconnected thematic areas, each representing the journal's commitment to comprehensive coverage of multiculturalism:

1. ISLAMIC STUDIES AND CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY

This thematic area explores how Islamic traditions, institutions, and principles engage with the challenges and opportunities of contemporary multicultural societies. KIJMS seeks scholarship that moves beyond purely theological inquiry to examine the lived realities of Muslim communities in pluralistic contexts and the relevance of Islamic thought to global issues of justice, governance, and social welfare.

Key Topics:

  • Islamic economics, finance, and business ethics in multicultural contexts
  • Maqashid al-Shariah and contemporary applications (state protection, justice, welfare)
  • Islamic law (fiqh) and legal pluralism
  • Religious moderation (wasatiyyah) and interfaith relations
  • Traditional Islamic wisdom and modern practices
  • Islamic governance and political thought in diverse societies

2. LAW AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN MULTICULTURAL SOCIETIES

This area addresses legal frameworks, human rights protections, and justice mechanisms in societies characterized by religious, ethnic, and cultural diversity. KIJMS particularly welcomes research that examines the tensions and synergies between Islamic legal traditions and contemporary human rights norms, as well as comparative studies of legal pluralism.

Key Topics:

  • Legal protection of minority groups (women, children, indigenous peoples, religious minorities)
  • Privacy rights, digital surveillance, and data protection
  • Islamic criminal law and contemporary legal systems
  • Comparative legal systems in pluralistic societies
  • Legal pluralism and customary law
  • Human rights in Muslim-majority and Muslim-minority contexts
  • Intellectual property, copyright, and cultural rights

3. MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION AND PEDAGOGY

This thematic area examines educational theory, policy, and practice in multicultural and multireligious contexts. KIJMS seeks research that addresses how educational institutions can foster inclusive learning environments, promote intercultural competence, and prepare students for citizenship in diverse societies while respecting religious and cultural particularities.

Key Topics:

  • Islamic pedagogy in pluralistic settings
  • Religious moderation in educational institutions
  • Multicultural curriculum development
  • Character education and tolerance building
  • Comprehensive sexuality and health education in multicultural contexts
  • Language and cultural adaptation in educational settings
  • Teacher training for diversity and inclusion
  • Children's rights in education

4. SOCIAL SCIENCES AND MULTICULTURALISM

This area encompasses sociological, anthropological, historical, and political science research on multicultural societies. KIJMS seeks scholarship that illuminates the social dynamics of diversity, including both challenges (discrimination, conflict, inequality) and opportunities (cultural enrichment, social innovation, intergroup cooperation).

Key Topics:

  • Family dynamics and tolerance in multicultural societies
  • Youth culture and generational change
  • Gender equality, intersectionality, and women's empowerment
  • Religious pluralism and community relations
  • Migration, diaspora, and social integration
  • Cultural heritage preservation and adaptation
  • Historical studies of multicultural communities
  • Discrimination, Islamophobia, and social justice
  • Digital culture, social movements, and online activism

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 METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHES

KIJMS welcomes diverse methodological approaches that meet standards of scholarly rigor:

  • Qualitative Methods: Ethnography, interviews, focus groups, discourse analysis, phenomenology, grounded theory, case studies
  • Quantitative Methods: Surveys, experiments, statistical modeling, psychometric analysis
  • Mixed Methods: Sequential and concurrent designs integrating qualitative and quantitative approaches
  • Comparative Analysis: Cross-national, cross-cultural, and cross-regional studies
  • Historical Methods: Archival research, oral history, historiography
  • Textual Analysis: Quranic exegesis (tafsir), legal interpretation (usul fiqh), critical discourse analysis
  • Legal Analysis: Constitutional analysis, statutory interpretation, case law review, comparative jurisprudence
  • Participatory Research: Community-based participatory research, action research

GEOGRAPHICAL SCOPE

While KIJMS places particular emphasis on Southeast Asian contexts—especially Indonesia, Malaysia, and neighboring countries where Islam and multiculturalism intersect in distinctive ways—the journal actively seeks and publishes research from all global regions, including:

  • Muslim-majority societies navigating internal diversity
  • Muslim-minority communities in secular or multi-religious states
  • Comparative studies across regions
  • Global South perspectives

ARTICLE TYPES

  • Original Research Articles: Empirical studies presenting new data or analysis
  • Theoretical and Conceptual Articles: Original theoretical frameworks or innovations
  • Comparative Studies: Systematic comparison across cases, countries, or contexts
  • Review Articles: Comprehensive synthesis of research on a specific topic
  • Book Reviews: Critical evaluation of significant recent publications
  • Research Notes: Preliminary findings or methodological innovations

All submissions undergo rigorous double-blind peer review by at least two international experts.

WHAT MAKES KIJMS DISTINCTIVE

KIJMS occupies a unique position in the global landscape of multicultural studies by:

  1. Bridging Islamic and Western Scholarship: Creating dialogue between Islamic intellectual traditions and contemporary social science
  2. Centering Southeast Asian Perspectives: Providing a platform for the world's largest Muslim-majority region
  3. Interdisciplinary Integration: Connecting law, religion, education, and social sciences
  4. Practical Relevance: Prioritizing research with implications for policy, practice, and social change

TARGET AUDIENCE

  • Academic researchers in Islamic studies, religious studies, law, education, sociology, anthropology, and political science
  • Policymakers working on religious freedom, minority rights, and social cohesion
  • Educators and administrators in multicultural settings
  • Legal professionals navigating legal pluralism
  • Civil society organizations promoting interfaith dialogue
  • International development practitioners

KIJMS is committed to advancing global understanding of multiculturalism through high-quality, interdisciplinary scholarship that respects both Islamic traditions and universal human values.