Module Code - Title:
DA5022
-
WORLD DANCE SURVEY
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 examine specific world dance cultures to gain an awareness of diverse movement systems within their socio-cultural contexts. The module examines a selection of traditional dances of Europe, Canada, Africa, India, South East Asia, and Oceania. DVD recordings, practical dance workshops when available of world dance practices, and literature based on these cultures, will allow students the opportunity to investigate perceptions of dance and movement systems, aesthetic systems, cultural contexts, functions, meanings, and classifications, other than their own, thus, increasing students critical awareness of dance as a social fact within both their own culture and that of others.
Syllabus:
Students will be introduced to a selection of dance traditions of the world from an ethnochoreological perspective. The survey will include the description of characteristic dance attributes for each cultural region and it will also involve the exploration of issues of ethnochoreological concern within individual dance contexts.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
1.Critique and evaluate literature within the field of world dance.
2.Demonstrate an understanding and an awareness of diverse movement systems within their respective socio-cultural contexts.
3.Discuss and critique theoretical and practical approaches to the representation of world dance cultures
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
1.Challenge ethnocentricity in researching and learning about diverse dance cultures.
2.Demonstrate an appreciation of different world dance cultures and their rrespective aesthetic systems.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
1.Illustrate an understanding, in both theory and practice, of different dance aesthetics in relation to selected world dance cultures.
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
The module will be taught in the form of lectures, seminars, and practical dance workshops. This manner of teaching will encourage students to engage in theoretical discussions in relation to world dance cultures and will extend their understandings of cultures different from their own. The practical component will allow students to sense the dance in their own bodies, thus, assisting to deepen their understanding. Students will also be expected to make class presentations which will also enhance their learning experiences.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
The research findings of invited guest researchers and dancers representative of different world dance cultures will be incorporated into the syllabus.
Prime Texts:
Cowan, Jane. (1990)
Dance and the Body Politic in Northern Greece
, Princeton University Press
Daniel, Yvonne (1995)
Rumba:Dance and Social Change in Contemporary Cuba
, Indiana University Press
Ness, Sally, Ann (1992)
Body, Movement and Culture: Kinesthetic and Visual Symbolism in a Philippine Community
, University of Pennsylvania Press
Other Relevant Texts:
Hanna, Judith, L. (1979)
To Dance is Human: A Theory of Non-verbal Communication
, University of Texas Press
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Module Leader:
orfhlaith.nibhriain@ul.ie