Course Description
Traditional and contemporary dance forms and styles of the West African culture that share common aesthetic principles will be explored through movement, music, storytelling, poetry, and discussion. This course is designed to explore the West African cultural experience when taught away from its original setting.
Athena Title
West African Dance Forms
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
• Embodied understanding of West African movement forms and styles • Be able to identify African movement aesthetic and cultural experience • Be able to compose choreography using these movements, concepts, and styles • Be able to demonstrate an understanding of West African dance forms using classroom material, outside study, and self-evaluation • Be able to contribute to the ongoing conversation of diversity within the community towards a positive transformation for all • Be able to embody and understand polyrhythm and polycentrism • Be able to understand and sing some West African songs in the respective native dialect
Topical Outline
a) Warm-up with live music b) Center movement exercises and combinations c) Locomotive exercises and combinations d) Featured combination synthesizing fundamental concepts e) Compose Final project through group work and community outreach performance GROUP PROJECT – Students will create their own tribe group and work in groups (tribes) using class material to choreograph their own tribal dance form/style; a 3-minute traditional or contemporary West African dance form or style. The elements of each dance form or style that was covered in class must be clearly articulated.
Syllabus