From: dow@vela.acs.oakland.edu (James Dow)
Subject: Call for papers, Mesoamerica
Organization: Oakland University, Rochester MI.
Distribution: sci.anthropology
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1993 01:40:21 GMT

To:  Anthropologists and other related social scientists

From: Eileen Mulhare, Colgate U.

Call for papers for a proposed sponsored session at the 92 Annual
Meeting of the American Anthropological Association to be held in
Washington, D. C., November 17-21, 1993

Title of the Session:

BARRIOS AND OTHER CUSTOMARY SOCIAL UNITS IN MESOAMERICAN
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION.

Session Abstract:

   One of the most salient yet least understood features of
   Mesoamerican culture and society is the customary social unit
   that mediates between the domestic group and the community.
   The organizing principles involved vary considerably
   throughout the region, merging kinship, territoriality and
   sometimes other criteria in different proportions depending
   on local practice. If many or most of these diverse social
   arrangements reflect a distinctive Mesoamerican pattern, as
   has often been suggested, the essential properties and
   geographic distribution of this pattern remain a matter of
   debate. A significant obstacle to intraregional comparisons
   is the lack of correspondence between the numerous emic
   labels for this unit (e.g. barrio, calpul(li), chinamit(l),
   cuchteel, molom, paraje, parcialidad, aldea, cantn) and
   specific forms of organization or sets of functions. The goal
   of the session is to encourage new approaches to the analysis
   of this level of social organization in the region, with
   particular attention to such issues as: defining unit of
   observation; obstacles to intraregional comparisons; biases
   in reporting; under-reported groups; evidence of pan-regional
   pattern; alternatives to kinship/territoriality models;
   cultural construction of identity; integrating archeological,
   ethnohistorical and ethnographic perspectives; and
   comparisons with analogous phenomena elsewhere in the world.
   
Proposed sponsor: Society for Latin American Anthropology

TO SUBMIT PAPER FOR POSSIBLE INCLUSION: SEND AN ABSTRACT AND
PERSONAL DATA ASAP TO: Eileen Mulhare, RD 2, Box 38, Hamilton, NY
13346, (315) 824-3102. FAX: (315) 824-7726. BITNET:
EMULHARE@COLGATEU.

     The number of papers that can be included is variable. If
your paper is included, you should fill out and mail the
following forms to Eileen. The forms and instructions appear in
the January 1993 Anthropology Newsletter. The forms must be
received by Eileen before March 22, 1993. If you need help with
the forms or don't have them, contact Eileen.

      (a) Author Data Form. (ORIGINAL PLUS THREE COPIES).
      
      (b) Abstract for Publication. (250 WORDS OR LESS, ORIGINAL
      PLUS THREE COPIES).
      
      (c) Advance Registration Form. (Be sure to indicate
      Membership ID number). Include a check for the Advance
      Registration Fee, made payable to American Anthropological
      Association. (See Advance Registration Form for applicable
      fee. The check will be returned if participation is not
      possible).
      
      
-- 
	- James Dow <dow@argo.acs.oakland.edu> <DOW@OAKLAND.BITNET>