Conference Theme: “The Architecture of Community”

Architecture, in the fullest sense of the word, will be the theme of this conference, including not only the physical structures used by communitarians, but also the social, religious, and political organization of their communities. Held at the southern Indiana site of two prominent intentional communities, one founded by the German Pietist Harmony Society and the other by the social reformer Robert Owen, the site of the conference will give attendees examples of various types of architecture. Tours of the New Harmony site will be included in the program. Papers, panel discussions, and audio-visual presentations are solicited, both on the theme and on the broader aspects of communal groups, intentional communities, and utopias.

Deadline for Submission of Paper & Session Proposals: May 1, 2010

Send your presentation title, a 150-word maximum abstract, and a brief (100 word) biography and contact information to:
Matthew J. Grow
Director, Center for Communal Studies
University of Southern Indiana
8600 University Blvd.
Evansville, IN 47712
Office: (812) 464-1971
Fax: (812) 465-7152
E-mail: mjgrow@usi.edu

The Communal Studies Association is an interdisciplinary organization for people living in intentional communities, historic site personnel and academics representing topics including history, anthropology, religious studies, sociology, political science, and others. Each year, the CSA’s annual conference is held at the site of an historic intentional community. For more information about the organization, see our website www.communalstudies.org.