This studio course will have us travel from temples and courtyards to clubs, streets, and stages around the world to better understand the diversity of dance. Featuring movement practices such as Bharata Natyam, Butoh, Rumba, and Burmese dance, this course introduces students to dance across cultures and historical periods while questioning categories such as classical, traditional, ethnic, folk, and world dance. The course meets twice a week; activities will include dance assignments, readings, discussions, and viewings of filmed and live performances. Guest artists will teach different dance forms. No prior dance experience is necessary.
Sample reading list:
Karen Brazell, ed., Traditional Japanese Theater: An Anthology of Plays
Richard Schechner, Between Theater and Anthropology
Kapila Vatsyayan, Indian Classical Dance
Barbara Adachi, Backstage at Bunraku: A behind the Scenes Look at Japan’s…
Reading/Writing assignments:
PERFORMANCE PAPER: During the semester, each student will be required to write a critical reflection on one session’s readings/films/performance. RESEARCH PAPER: Students are required to develop one independent research project about any dance form of their choice. The paper should engage with the core methodologies and issues discussed throughout the course.
