Aims and Scope of the Journal: Guide to Authors

Aims and Scope

Ars Vivendi Journal is an English language electronic journal that was launched on August 2011 by the Institute of Ars Vivendi, Ritsumeikan University.

In conformity with the general mission of the Institute of Ars Vivendi, the four goals of the journal are: (1) to promote exchange among scholars worldwide interested in issues relating to disability, aging, disease and difference; (2) to disseminate information concerning the life, hopes and needs of persons with chronic or terminal disease; (3) to provide a vehicle for these persons and the associations which represent them to make their voices heard and (4) to encourage young scholars to actively participate in this new type of research concerning various forms of living and survival.

In agreement with the general philosophy of Ars Vivendi, the ambition of this journal is to become a forum where not only academics, but also health care workers, patients, their families and the associations that support them can be heard and exchange. We also aim to reach beyond them to a wider audience that includes political deciders and the general public.

Editorial Policy

Ars Vivendi Journal will start anew as a peer-reviewed electronic journal in April, 2016. The journal welcomes submissions of articles in any of the above mentioned domains and in related fields of research. Articles submitted to the Journal will be reviewed by the editors and members of the Institute of Ars Vivendi.

Article submitted to Ars Vivendi Journal should not simultaneously be under consideration by another journal and should be submitted electronically, preferably in Word or RTF format, to avj-edit@gst.ritsumei.ac.jp. You will receive the confirmation of receipt of your article by return e-mail within two working days. If you do not, kindly send again to both avj-edit@gst.ritsumei.ac.jp.

Article Types and Word Counts

1. Original Papers
This is the main category for original papers. Though Ars Vivendi Journal will consider longer papers, in general, submitted papers should not exceed 10,000 words.

2. Responses
This section is reserved to papers written in response to articles previously published in Ars Vivendi Journal. This may include responses from authors who have been criticized in the Journal. The Journal will consider longer responses. However, the Journal prefers responses whose word count is up to 5,000 words.

3. Book Reviews
Book reviews of books – in various language and not only in English – in the related fields of research are welcome. Reviews of books written in Japanese are particularly welcome. The length of review should not exceed 5,000 words.

Stylistic Requirements

Authors may employ any established styles, such as Chicago Manual Style and MLA Style, provided that that style is used consistently throughout the article. Authors should also ensure that the language of the article is consistently either American English or British English.