Module Code - Title:
DA5001
-
ETHNOCHOREOLOGY: HISTORY AND THEORY
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
The primary objective of this module is to inform students of historical and theoretical perspectives of Ethnochoreology, an interdisciplinary subject which considers dance in its cultural context. This means examining the relevant literature in Anthropology, Sociology, Cultural Studies, Linguistics, Gender Studies and Education in addition to other relevant areas of Dance Studies, to highlight the main theoretical developments in the discipline.
Syllabus:
The history and development of ethnochoreological and dance anthropological theory; applications of anthropological perspectives in the discipline including: functionalist, symbolic, structuralist, linguistic, cognitive, practice and interpretive.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
1.Identify the relevant literature within the field of ethnochoreology.
2.Critique and evaluate theory and practice within the discipline.
3.Illustrate a critical awareness of the different approaches undertaken in the broader academic study of dance.
4.Demonstrate an understanding of what constitutes an ethnochoreological approach.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
1.Challenge ethnocentricity in research.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
1. Illustrate how dance as performance can inform theory.
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
The module will be taught in a lecture cum seminar-like fashion. This will encourage students to engage in theoretical discussions and to contribute to the dynamic of the class. Students will also be expected to make class presentations which will also contribute to their learning experiences.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Masters and doctorate students, along with independent researchers in the field, present guest lectures and seminars which may include their research findings.
Prime Texts:
Royce, Anya (1980)
The Anthropology of Dance
, Indiana University Press
Hanna, Judith, L. (1979)
To Dance is Human: A Theory of Non-verbal Communication
, University of Texas Press
Spencer, Paul (1985)
Society and the Dance
, Cambridge University Press
Other Relevant Texts:
Buckland, Theresa (1999)
Dance in the Field:Theory, Methods and Issues in Dance Ethnography
, MacMillan Press Limited.
Cowan, Jane (1990)
Dance and the Body Politic in Northern Greece
, Princeton University Press
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Module Leader:
orfhlaith.nibhriain@ul.ie