Dancing Cultures

Course Content:

In this module students will study dances from an anthropological perspective through
both theoretical and critical analysis, and embodied practice and performance.

Students will study, analyse and embody dance practices from a range of cultures and
societies. Discussion will include how dances have been, and currently are regarded by a
range of ?audiences? and their participants, as well as analysis of the specific contexts of
their production, reception and consumption. Inherent in these discussions are notions
of change, transmission and migration of dance forms and practices to other contexts.

Students will be encouraged to explore the relationships between dance and culture,
dance and identity, and dance and the community, as well as reflecting on the role, place
and value of dance in a range of cultures and societies, including their own.

Throughout the course students will participate in blocks of practical workshops that will
develop technical and expressive skills in relevant dance styles.

Topics covered include:
? Theoretical perspectives: dance anthropology, dance ethnology,
ethnochoreology
? The role, place and value of dance in different societies and cultures
? The concept of community dance
? Definitions of and basic critical perspectives on ?ethnic?, ?folk?, religious, competitive, theatrical, social, vernacular and popular dance forms
? Ethnography: participant observation, dance analysis
? Classical Indian dance (e.g. Bharata Natyam, Kathak, Odissi)
? African people?s dance
? The transmission of martial art forms (capoeira, wushu) to movement /
dance practice
? The development of ballroom dance styles from social to the competitive
? ?Folk? and ?traditional? dance forms: clog, step dancing, contra dances,
country dances, Morris dancing.

Autumn semester topics:
Introduction to dancing cultures, dance anthropology and its development, anthropology
and historiography, dance and national identity, Bhangra, Folk, traditional and classical.
Spring semester topics:
The transmission of martial art forms (capoeira, wushu) to movement/dance practice,
classical Indian dance (Bharata Natyam), African people?s dance.

Teaching: Lectures, seminars and practical workshops

Assessment:
STUDY OPTION 1:
? Practical Performance Assessment (8 - 10 minutes)
? Written Essay (1250 ? 1500 words)
STUDY OPTION 2 or 3:
part of Option 1 assessment.

Study Option 1 = Whole Year Return to top.
Study Option 2 = Autumn
Study Option 3 = Spring/summer