Course Description
An intense study of movement and performance as a way of knowing, understanding, and experiencing culture, community, and diversity. This course works through dynamics of movement and music performance practice rooted in African traditional and contemporary aesthetics. The focus will be West African traditional dance and music.
Athena Title
Interm Adv West African Dance
Prerequisite
Four hours of DANC 2620
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
• Establish a deep understanding of West African movement forms and styles • Develop an in-depth West African movement vocabulary and cultural experience • Be able to perform a traditional dance of a specific tribe or tribes with its traditional music • Be able to deeply talk about a traditional tribe or group of people and their way of life in West Africa through research, classroom material, and outside study • Be able to contribute positively to the ongoing conversation of diversity within the community toward a positive transformation for all • Be able to deeply master the elements of the aesthetics of polyrhythm and polycentrism in West African dance and music • Develop awareness of vocalization and the importance of community in the West African culture
Topical Outline
a) Warm up with live music (drumming) b) Analyze movement in a combination c) Locomotive exercises and combinations d) Featured combination synthesizing fundamental concepts e) Final project through group work and community outreach performance GROUP PROJECT – Students will create their own tribe group within the class and work in groups (tribes) using their knowledge and research acquired in class to choreograph their own tribal dance form/style; a 5-minute traditional West African dance form. The elements of each dance form or style that was covered in class must be clearly articulated.