Untitled document
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Describe the anthropological origins of dance and the various functions of dance in prehistoric societies.
2. Discuss the chronology of dance history from ancient time through the 21st century.
3. Recognize and analyze the dance forms of the Renaissance, Baroque, Romantic and Modern periods in terms of elements of style and cultural influences.
4. Distinguish the stylistic characteristics of Western Contemporary Theatrical Dance forms and the works of prominent choreographers of the 21st century.
5. Compare and contrast the techniques of historical, classical, and contemporary dance forms.
6. Relate the development of dance and artistic movements in dance to those of the visual arts, music, and literature in each major historical period.
7. Recognize musical compositions from the 16th through 21st centuries, in relation to dance forms.
8. Demonstrate knowledge of fashion and costume design for various historical periods, as they pertain to the dance movement of those periods.
9. Identify, locate, and interpret written sources for the study of dance history, while applying research knowledge to other dance topics.
Untitled document
I. Anthropological Basis of Dance
A. Dance as the earliest human expression
1. depictions in cave art
2. legends and stories of traditional cultures
B. Function of dance in ritual
1. rites of passage
2. kinship hunting dances
3. war dances
C. Dance as social interaction
II. Dance in Ancient Civilizations: Egypt, Crete, Greece and Rome
A. Greece: evolution of dance from ritual to drama
B. Rome: introduction of pantomime
III. Dance of Western Europe
A. Religious and social dances of medieval Europe
1. influence of the Christian church on dance
2. dance manias
3. courtly love and the rise of aristocratic dance forms
B. Renaissance court dance as a reflection of culture
1. Renaissance court theatrical productions
2. social dance
C. Baroque court dance
1. Dance in King Louis XIV's court
2. continuing evolution of court productions
IV. Ballet
A. Study of the development of ballet from 1661 to French Revolution
B. Romantic ballet
1. characteristics
2. technique
C. Russian ballet
1. the Classical era
2. influence of the Classical era on ballet world-wide
D. The Diaghilev Era
1. contributions of Nijinsky
2. contributions of Fokine
E. Post Diaghilev 20th century ballet
F. Ballet in 21st century America
V. Modern Dance
A. Pre-Modern influences
1. Isadora Duncan
2. Denishawn
B. America artists in modern dance
1. Martha Graham
2. Paul Taylor
3. Merce Cunningham
4. Katherine Dunham
5. Alwin Nikolais
6. Alvin Ailey
C. Post-Modern dance and the Avant Garde movement
D. Contemporary dance artists and companies: late 20th century to present
VI. Jazz Dance
A. Survey of historical origins in 19th century America to present
B. Roots in African dance and black vernacular dance in America
C. Influential jazz dance artists of the 20th and 21st century
VII. Urban Dance Forms
A. Evolution of Hip Hop
B. African influences
C. East coast versus west coast influences
D. Fashion and graffitti culture
E. History of Hip-Hop music as it relates to the evolution of Hip-Hop dance
F. History of Hip-Hop concert dance
G. Competition Hip Hop dance versus concert Hip Hop dance
H. Influential Hip Hop dance artists of the 20th and 21st century
VIII. Relationship of dance to culture, art, architecture, and literature
IX. Dance Performance Analysis, Criticism, and Research
A. Introduction to analyzing famous choreographic works
1. choreograhers thematic content and choreographic process
2. selection and use of music for choreographic work
3. selection and use of costuming to enhance choreography
4. lighitng of choreographic works and impact
B. Discipline-specific research tools
1. seminal books
2. periodicals
3. major indexing sources/databases
4. professional and trade organizations
5. standard reference tools
6. discipline specific tools
7. peer-influenced websites
Untitled document
No Fixed Points. Reynolds, Nancy and McCormick, Malcolm. Yale University Prep. 2021
Ballet and Modern Dance, A Concise History. Anderson, Jack. Princeton Book Company.1992 (classic)
Ballet and Western Culture. Lee, Carol. Psychology Press. 1999 (classic)
American Dance: The Complete Illustrated History. Fuher. Margaret. Voyageur Press. 2014 (classic)
Dancing Through History. Cass, Joan. Prentice Hall. 1993 (classic)
History of Dance. 2nd ed. Kassing, Gayle. Human Kinetics. 2017 (classic)
Instructor prepared materials