Performing Cultures

Course Content:

In this module students will deepen their understanding of the anthropological study of
dance and human movement systems, whilst gaining technical and expressive skills
relevant to a range of dances located outside of the traditional Western theatrical 'art
dance' canon.

Students will analyse and embody dance practices from a range of cultures and societies
with a particular focus on the ways in which dance forms move and develop through
diasporic networks taking on new meaning and value in each context.

Students will engage in an intensive series of practical workshops in national and
diasporic forms such as South Asian and African people?s dances, as well as attending a
series of lectures and discussion sessions that examine how these dance styles have
developed and changed over time. Students will use their embodied experiences to
enhance their theoretical study of dances using an anthropological perspective.

Topics covered include:
? Classical Indian dance (e.g. Bharata Natyam, Kathak, Odissi) and South
Asian diasporic dance practices
? African people?s dance and African diasporic dance practices
? Theoretical perspectives from dance anthropology, dance ethnology,
diasporic studies, colonial and post-colonial studies, cultural studies
? Critical and cultural theory relating to the dancing body, particularly the
relationship between dance and identity (gender, race, class, sexuality,
religion)
? Concepts of nation, culture, globalisation in relation to dance practices
? Issues surrounding the transmission, modification, and appropriation of
dance forms

Teaching: 2 hour weekly session through Lecture or Seminar discussion, and Practical Workshops

Assessment:
? Practical Performance (choice of repertoire)
? Case Study (individual presentation of 10 minutes with questions or written
submission of 1500 ? 2000 words)

Study Option 1 = Whole Year
Study Option 2 = Autumn
Study Option 3 = Spring/summer