"Travels and Journeys in Communalism", Communal Studies Association annual meeting, Sept. 30-Oct. 2, 2004, Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield, Mass. Proposals for papers, panels and roundtable sessions are welcome. The conference theme, “Travels & Journeys,” offers many possibilities for paper topics such as exploring an individual’s personal or spiritual journey within a communal group, literal journeys between groups, a communal group’s journey (to find a site, to move somewhere else), journey as change over time of a group’s philosophies, lifeways, or policies, and the like. In addition to papers that address the conference theme, papers and panels are welcome on any aspect of communal studies including architecture, art, material culture, literature, teaching communal studies, contemporary communalism & communities, and resources for the study of communal groups.

The Program Committee invites proposals for sessions and individual papers on topics concerning all aspects of communal studies from any disciplinary perspective. Participation by undergraduate students, independent researchers, and members of current communities is welcome and encouraged.

Please send abstract and short c.v. to Elizabeth De Wolfe, Program Chair, via email.