2017 Summer Dance Courses
Dance 121: Asian American Movement
with Peggy Choy
MTWRF 9:00 a.m.-1:15p.m.
May 30–June 18
3 credits- Meets Ethnic Studies Req
About this Course
In Asian American Movement (Dance 121), we will explore techniques of exercises and movement forms derived from several Asian cultures as taught in the United States. Each technique and piece will be studied in the context of the construction and expression of ethnic and cultural identity.
This course introduces students to Asian American ethnic and cultural identities as negotiated by the practice of Asian/Asian American movement forms centered on the building blocks of breath and the focused mind. It is open to all students who want to experience Asian/Asian American dance forms and martial arts as a basis for exploring Asian American poetry, music and immigration history. Together, we will explore what it means to be an artist in the 21st century while rising to our own next level of excellence. This is an excellent course for students interested in: History, Anthropology, Dance, Ethnic Studies, Music, Poetry, Asian American Studies, Physical therapy, Martial Arts, Somatics, and Meditation.
*ONLINE* Dance 168: Dancing Gender
with Natalie Zervou
Online June 26–August 6
3 credits
About this Course
Gender theories and feminist theories focus on the body as the main site where gender distinctions are understood. As the body holds a central position in the art of dance and the academic discipline of dance studies, this course explores gender and feminist theories through the lens of dance.
Course Content
Students will learn how the body is treated as a site inscribed and defined by social hierarchies and power structures, and the discussions will, therefore, become increasingly more complex to encompass race, ethnicity, and social status as definitive factors of gendered identity. The class will also move beyond dance performance into examples of political protests and feminist activism to examine how we can view such instances as performances, and what dance studies methodologies have to offer for understanding and analyzing pedestrian performative actions.
The course is introductory. No prior experience in dance, gender studies, or women’s studies is required.
Course Units:
Unit #1: Introduction To Dance Studies, Gender Studies & Feminism
Unit #2: Queer Dance & Performativity
Unit #3: Global Dance Perspectives
Unit #4: Politicizing Gender
*ONLINE* Dance 268: Political and Cultural Perspectives in Dance Studies
with Natalie Zervou
Online June 19–July 30
3 credits - fulfills L&S Breadth Req
About this Course
Political and Cultural Perspectives in Dance Studies (Dance 268) examines the role of dance as a cultural form of expression within the political sphere. It draws on a variety of case studies ranging from popular dance TV shows, to European modern dance, to hip-hop, to dancing at public protests and asks the questions:
- What constitutes dance?
- What is its social and political function?
Dance 268 is an intermediate level course. No prior dance experience is required.