The End/S of Anthropology American Anthropological Association • 108Th Annual Meeting December 2–6, 2009 • Philadelphia, PA
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The End/s of Anthropology American Anthropological Association • 108th Annual Meeting December 2–6, 2009 • Philadelphia, PA Preliminary Program 2009 PRELIMINARY PROGRAM COUNTDOWN TO PHILADELPHIA 108th AAA Annual Meeting | December 2–6, 2009 | Philadelphia Marriott Downtown The End/s of Anthropology John L Jackson, Jr to study several places at once, or to engage Executive Program Cochair phenomena spread out over large expanses Preliminary Program Contents in ways that outstrip any individual ethnogra- Deborah Thomas pher’s ability to experience them directly and Countdown to Philadelphia 2 Executive Program Cochair holistically. There is ongoing debate about the needs for depth versus breadth, and how General Information 4 The schedule is finally set for this year’s AAA shifting the scope, scale and focus of one’s conference in Philadelphia. In total, 3,596 inquiry might impact ethnography’s specific Meeting Highlights for Students 5 papers were submitted for consideration and contribution to the constellation of meth- 3,462 were accepted; 609 panel sessions were odological options open to social scientific Guide to Section Names 6 submitted, and we were able to schedule 561 researchers. Conference submissions seemed of them, including the panel sessions that particularly interested in these themes, which SCHEDULE section editors put together from individu- complicate the ethnographic project in fasci- ally volunteered papers. We received fasci- nating ways. Wednesday, Dec 2 6 nating submissions, and we are very excited After seeing the papers and panels that about the kinds of conversations we will have constitute this year’s meeting program, we Thursday, Dec 3 14 in December. are even more confident that it will provide The conference theme, “The End/s of a critical space for tackling these scholarly Friday, Dec 4 22 Anthropology,” asks us to continue examining issues and their theoretical and political impli- the relevance and goals of our field today. The cations. Many paper topics and panel themes Saturday, Dec 5 31 point is not simply to provocatively invoke intentionally played with the double meaning the discipline’s potential demise or decreasing of “ends” (as both conclusions and purposes) Sunday, Dec 6 40 significance vis-à-vis supposedly “harder” in this year’s conference title. Participants social sciences that rely on the “objectivity” include a diverse group of academic and Workshops and Roundtables 45 of numbers over the seemingly subjective applied anthropologists. Some contributors exploits of the anthropological project and its define themselves as activists, while others Film, Video and Interactive marquee methodological intervention, ethno- demand more caution about anthropolog- graphic research. However, it is still highly ical forays into purposeful public and polit- Media Screening Program 46 productive to ask what contributions anthro- ical involvement. These different perspectives pology provides in an age defined by the should contribute to lively and productive 2009 Annual Meeting hegemony of genomic research and statistical discussions, and we look forward to seeing Program Committee 47 analyses as holy grails for the study of social everyone in Philadelphia this December. questions. How might our goals, methodolo- gies, products and discourses be reconfigured Frugal Philly Contact or rearticulated to effectively address twenty- first century problems and audiences, so as to For this year’s meeting, Jeff Maskovsky Communications about the program produce work that is given greater consider- initiated an article series called “Frugal theme should be addressed to 2009 ation in public circles? Philly.” These articles highlight afford- Executive Program Cochairs Deborah Ethnographers have started to retool their able dining and travel options and Thomas ([email protected]. methodological interventions to approach notable entertainment venues for edu) and John L Jackson, Jr (jjackson@ new kinds of projects, with many calling for AAA members who are less familiar asc.upenn.edu). Please refer all other multi-sitedness, a specific focus on the culture with Philadelphia. Read the articles at annual meeting questions to the AAA of scientific research, and particular emphases www.aaanet.org/meetings/info/travel/ and Sections Meeting Department on the challenges that come with studying Frugal-Philly.cfm or go to the city’s at [email protected] or cfernandez@ a thoroughly media-saturated world. Other official visitor site: www.gophila.com. aaanet.org. anthropologists remain wary of ethnographic attempts to delve into mass mediated sociality, 2 SEE WWW.AAANET.ORG FOR MOST CURRENT SCHEDULE COUNTDOWN TO PHILADELPHIA 2009 PRELIMINARY PROGRAM Diversify Your Meeting Activities Presidential Address Saturday, Dec 5 | 6:15 pm–7:30 pm Getting the Most out of Your Meeting Experience Setha Low Employment Events AAA President The employer expo, organized and conducted by AAA’s National Association for the Practice Perusing the AAA preliminary program can be of Anthropology, is an excellent chance for overwhelming for new and seasoned meeting members to meet representatives of organi- attendees alike. It is, after all, the largest annual zations that employ anthropologists. You can meeting of anthropologists in the world. There also participate in the career fair managed by are activities designed for participants in all AAA’s job placement team by signing up early areas and at every level—from students, to new for job interviews. educators, to senior scholars and seasoned professionals. With such a large number of Exhibit Area sessions and events, it can be challenging for Do not miss the book vendors in the exhibit individual members to determine what activi- area! The exhibit hall is open throughout ties might be most personally valuable. the day, Thursday through Saturday, making One key to getting the most out of the it easy to drop by in between other activi- annual meeting is attending a diverse range ties. Ethnographic film distributors and other of events. Support your friends at their exhibitors also attend, as well as granting sessions, but also go to a poster session, agencies and representatives of other anthro- Setha Low will present the 2009 workshop and a business meeting, and see a pological organizations, who are there to Presidential Address, “Engaged film screening and plenary speaker. To learn share information about their activities. Anthropology,” which will be followed more about what’s going on in anthropology by the AAA Annual Awards Ceremony. today, do not hesitate to ask questions, to Workshops For information, please see page 40. request session recommendations from your The annual meeting offers dozens of work- section or interest group, or to attend a new shops that develop and enhance members’ kind of event with an unfamiliar structure. knowledge and skills in teaching and publishing, as well as advocacy and using Association-Wide Events statistical software. Many of the workshops AAA Business Meeting Agenda There are few opportunities for so many of our are free, but you need to register in advance members to gather in person, in one place. The (see page 45). Welcome Reception and Awards Ceremony is Thursday, December 3, 2009 a time for us to socialize and celebrate the Student Events 6:30 pm–7:30 pm year’s award winners as a community. The This year’s preliminary program offers Philadelphia Marriott Downtown AAA Business Meeting is more structured, a special listing of events geared toward Salon H but is another excellent way for all members students (see page 5). Chair: Setha Low, AAA President to participate in the workings of the associa- tion. Our rotating Distinguished/Presidential Film Program 1. Call to Order Lecture is an opportunity to engage intellec- Every year the Society for Visual Anthropology 2. Adoption of Agenda th tually with the large number of members who presents current film, video and interactive 3. Approval of the Minutes of the 107 attend and then stay to discuss its content and media in a multi-day program. Learn more AAA Business Meeting (2008) importance for their subfields. about this year’s award-winning visual work 4. Remembrance of Deceased Members on page 46. 5. President’s Report by Setha Low Section Events 6. Treasurer’s Report by Ed Liebow Individual sections offer a variety of events Philadelphia 7. Secretary’s Report by Dan Segal beyond their own organized sessions. These AAA works hard to host annual meetings in 8. Recognitions include business meetings, invited lectures, accessible cities that offer a wide range of activi- 9. Resolutions Previously Submitted workshops and social events. Sometimes ties for those who have a chance to see the sites. 10. New Business several sections sponsor an event together, Walk or use public transportation to reach 11. Adjournment which gives members an opportunity to compelling events throughout Philadelphia. If develop new collaborative relationships while you live in Philly, offer to take visitors to your catching up with colleagues and friends. favorite museum or restaurant. SEE WWW.AAANET.ORG FOR MOST CURRENT SCHEDULE 3 2009 PRELIMINARY PROGRAM GENERAL INFORMATION 108th AAA Annual Meeting | December 2–6, 2009 | Philadelphia Marriott Downtown General Information The 108th AAA Annual Meeting will be held through Saturday, December 5, 2:00 pm at the Local Transportation at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Philadelphia Marriott Downtown. Take a couple of hours to explore the city by 1201 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19107. walking, taking a taxi or public transporta- Registration and additional information is Registration Refunds tion. The Old City Cultural District is within available online at www.aaanet.org/meetings. Cancellation requests received by email or six blocks of the meeting hotel. For affordable fax by October 15 will be eligible for a travel throughout the city, try the SEPTA bus >> Online Program refund. After October 15, registrants will no and subway system (www.septa.com). longer be eligible for refunds or credits. A The 2009 online annual meeting program offers $35 processing fee is applied against all regis- >> Hotels the most up-to-date schedule information, plus trations refunded.