In this course, we will be watching dance works by a number of artists, both from the US and international contexts working with a range of forms, aesthetics, and questions. Alongside watching these works, we will be reading key theorists from social theory, dance/performance studies and postcolonial studies alongside poetry and literary texts. These offer different frameworks or sets of questions, allowing us to think through dance works as kaleidoscopes - situated and shifting in significance given our perspective. Questions will include those around narrative, realism, abstraction, space, and utopia. We will focus on the elements of bodies, time, and space. 1 unit. May meet either the Critical Perspectives: Global Cultures or Social Inequality requirement. Meets the Critical Learning: CP requirement. Meets the Equity and Power: EPG requirement. (Not offered 2025-26).

Prerequisite: Any 100 or 200 level DA, MU, or TH 1-unit course or consent of instructor.

Degree requirement — Critical Learning: CP, Equity and Power: EPG

1 unit

Previously Featured Offering

Cultural Perspectives in Dance

Apr. 2015

Cultural Perspectives in Dance introduces students to dance ethnography; the study of the social, cultural, and political life of dance, dances, and dancers. Students will read dance ethnographies and will have the unique opportunity to talk directly with ethnographers. Beyond exploring the methodological, theoretical, and ethical issues of dance ethnographies, students will have the opportunity to create their own mini dance ethnography.

This course introduces students to dance ethnography, the study of the social, cultural, and political life of dance, dances, and dancers, and asks them to consider movement’s relationship to race, class, gender, sexuality, colonialism, migration, and capitalism. Students will read dance ethnographies about a Catholic fiesta in New Mexico, salsa dancing in Los Angeles nightclubs, and banned temple dancers in South India. They will also have the unique opportunity to talk directly with the ethnographers. Students will not only explore the methodological, theoretical and ethical issues of doing dance ethnography, they will also have the opportunity to work on their own mini dance ethnographies. With this practical component to the class, students will be able to hone their ethnographic skills (observing, jotting, composing fieldnotes, designing interview questions, transcribing, interpreting) and experience what it is like to do research in the field. For the final project, students will explore not only written but also more embodied and performative modes of re/presenting ethnographic data.

Offerings