This is a year long optional Level 5 module in which students will deepen their understanding of the anthropological study of dance and human movement systems, whilst gaining technical and expressive skills relevant to a range of dances located outside of the traditional Western theatrical 'art dance' canon.
Students will analyse and embody dance practices from a range of cultures and societies with a particular focus on the ways in which dance forms move and develop through diasporic networks taking on new meaning and value in each context. Students will engage in an intensive series of practical workshops in national and diasporic forms such as South Asian and African people's dances, as well as attending a series of lectures and discussion sessions that examine how these dance styles have developed and changed over time. Students will use their embodied experiences to enhance their theoretical study of dances using an anthropological perspective.
Across the year students will participate in a two hour weekly session that may be a lecture or seminar discussion used to introduce theoretical, historical or conceptual study, or practical workshops used to develop technical and performance skills in specific dance practices.
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 skills will be developed through activities such as small group and class discussions, practical tasks, reflective tasks and research activities.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | Lecture / seminar | 14 |
| Scheduled learning and teaching | Practical | 30 |
| Guided independent study | Independent study | 256 |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
In this module the assessments test the key academic and performance skills students require to progress effectively on this degree programme.
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 research exercise and a completion of indicative bibliography.
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| Demonstrate technical and expressive skill when performing national or diasporic dances | Practical Performance |
| Draw on principles, approaches and techniques of national or diasporic dance forms in the choreography and/or performance of a dance piece | Practical Performance |
| Analyse dance practices located outside of the Western theatrical art dance canon using theoretical concepts from dance anthropology and/or cultural studies | Case study (written or individual presentation) |
| Demonstrate an understanding of the role of history, culture, politics and identity when discussing the emergence, transmission and development of national and diasporic dance forms in a global context | Case study (written or individual presentation) |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| PRC | Practical performance | 65 |
| Coursework | Case study | 35 |
| 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.
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