Fall 2016
Thursdays 6:15 - 9:00pm, starting 9/8/16, ending 12/15/16
DAN-2210 Middle Eastern Dance & Culture 3 Credits
An introduction to Middle Eastern dance techniques, aesthetics, theory and cultural context. Students will study beginning movement vocabulary and practice through exercises and choreographic sequences. The origins, development, symbolism, and cultural significance of Middle Eastern dance will be examined through lecture, discussions, readings, presentations, videos, and a field trip, if possible.
1. Discuss the historical and contemporary cultural contexts of Middle Eastern dance.
2. Compare and contrast Middle Eastern and Western dance forms and contexts.
3. Compare and contrast the regional and ethnic variations of Middle Eastern dance forms and techniques.
4. Examine the symbolic and mythological origins and evolution of the dance in the context of the Middle East and the United States.
5. Describe and evaluate stereotypes as they relate to the dance in the context of current and historical, religious, international, and social climates.
6. Practice and demonstrate kinesthetic and technical proficiency in Middle Eastern dance forms.
7. Identify the most common instrumentation used in Middle Eastern dance and create a kinesthetic response that showcases this important influence.
8. Demonstrate appropriate strength, flexibility, centering, and grounding.
Master's degree required.