The Art of Dance

This course introduces students to an interdisciplinary, multicultural study of the art of dance. Combining an historical framework with various dance genres and a study of stylistic movement, the course introduces ancient and modern trends; a variety of genres, including ballet, modern, jazz, kabuki, court, and video; psychological and philosophical aspects of movement; and the work of selected choreographers. Students will examine cross-cultural and historical views of a variety of theatrical and non-theatrical dance forms and investigate the numerous ways that dance functions in different societies. Students will attend live dance performances and demonstrate the ability to contextualize their views within the framework of the course content. Students will also move from the study of history and the creative process of dance to the role of a member of the dance audience and dance critic.