This is a year long, core Level 4 module for all students taking Dance programmes at Kingston. In this module students will study dances from an anthropological perspective through both theoretical and critical analysis, and embodied practice and performance. Students will study, analyse and embody dance practices from a range of cultures and societies. Discussion will include how dances have been, and currently are regarded by a range of ‘audiences' and their participants, as well as analysis of the specific contexts of their production, reception and consumption. Inherent in these discussions are notions of change, transmission and migration of dance forms and practices to other contexts. Students will be encouraged to explore the relationships between dance and culture, dance and identity, and dance and the community, as well as reflecting on the role, place and value of dance in a range of cultures and societies, including their own. Throughout the course students will participate in blocks of practical workshops that will develop technical and expressive skills in relevant dance styles.
Lectures are used to introduce areas of theoretical, historical or conceptual study relevant to dance anthropology. Seminars will be used to support the development of students' understanding of these concepts, as well as to make links between theory and practice. Practical workshops will assist students to embody and reflect on a range of dance forms.
In the first teaching block students will attend a regular two hour session, which will either be a lecture, a seminar discussion or a practical workshop. In the second teaching block a series of intensive practical workshops will develop technical and expressive skills in chosen dance styles, with some seminar interventions. Each week this module provides one hour for the supplementary technique class scheme (STS).
A number of key skills are developed as part of this module. In particular students will develop self-awareness, research and information literacy, communication and inter-personal skills. These will be developed through activities such as class and small group discussion of key ideas and concepts, summaries and discussions of the module reading, research tasks and practical workshops.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | Lecture | 14 |
| Scheduled learning and teaching | Seminar / practical workshops | 30 |
| Guided independent study | Independent study | 234 |
| Scheduled learning and teaching | Technique classes | 22 |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
As this is a core skills module the assessment takes the form of a portfolio, which tests the key academic and performance skills students require to progress effectively on this degree programme. The progress mark is awarded by the module tutors in consultation with the individual student through an evaluation of the students' contribution to and progress in the lectures and practical classes in the first semester.
Students will complete first drafts of set tasks during the course of study, and receive feedback on these before final submission. There will also be elements of formative assessment preparing students for the final written assignment, which may include a written summary of a piece of scholarly writing, a research exercise, or a completion of indicative bibliography.
The assessment for this module is designed to evaluate student progression in research, theoretical analysis, and technical and expressive practical skill development.
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| Articulate a sound understanding of basic theoretical concepts that can be used for the study of dances located outside of the traditional Western 'art dance' canon. | Written essay |
| Demonstrate a sound understanding of the importance of cultural, social, economic, political and historical context when analysing social, religious, vernacular and theatrical dance forms located outside of the traditional Western 'art dance' canon | Written essay |
| Demonstrate a sound understanding of the relationship between dance and culture, society, community and identity | Written essay |
| Demonstrate an embodied understanding of a range of religious, social, vernacular and theatrical dance forms located outside of the traditional Western 'art dance' canon | Practical performance |
| Demonstrate a basic level of technical and expressive skills when performing a range of social, religious, competitive, folk, popular and theatrical dance forms located outside of the Western theatrical art dance canon | Practical performance |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Essay | 50 |
| PRC | Practical performance | 50 |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It IS NOT a requirement that any major assessment category is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module
Foster, S. (ed.) (2009) Worlding Dance Basingstoke: Macmillan.
Buckland, T. (2011) Society Dancing: Fashionable Bodies 1870-1920 Basingstoke: Palgrave.
Buckland, T. (ed.) (2006) Dancing from Past to Present: Nation, Culture, Identities Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin Press.
Buckland, T. (ed.) (1999) Dance in the Field: theories, methods and issues in dance ethnography Basingstoke: Macmillan.
Carter, A. & O'Shea, J. (2010) The Routledge Dance Studies Reader, London:Routledge.
Dils, A. and Cooper-Albright A., Moving History / Dancing Cultures: A Dance History Reader Middletown CT:Wesleyan University Press.
Dodds, S. (2011) Dancing on the Canon: Embodiments of Value in Popular Dance Basingstoke: Palgrave.
Grau, A. & Jordan, S. (2000) Europe Dancing: perspectives on theatre dance and cultural identity, London: Routledge.
Hamera, J. (2006) Dancing Communities: Performance, Difference and Connection in the Global City (Studies in International Performance) Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Martin, J. (2003)The Intercultural Performance Handbook London:Dance Books.
Peterson Royce A. (2002) The Anthropology of Dance London: Dance Books.
Peterson Royce A. (2004) Anthropology of the Performing Arts: artistry, virtuosity and interpretation in cross-cultural perspective, Lanham MD:AltaMira Press.
Thomas, H. (2003) The Body, Dance and Cultural Theory Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Thomas, H. (ed) (1997) Dance in the City New York: St. Martin's Press.
Williams, D. (2004, 2nd edition) Anthropology and the Dance: Ten Lectures Urbana and Chicago: University of Illinois Press.