Dancing Literature

Choose a dance genre that interests you. Here are some ideas, but you can also choose a genre outside of this list.

Salsa
Stepping
Tango
Contact Improvisation
Whirling Dervish
Flamenco
Hip Hop
Israeli Folk Dance
Tap
Hula
Peking Opera
Kathak

You will research the form, function, and context of your genre and summarize your findings on your Wiki page. In essence, you will create a virtual lecture/demonstration about your genre.

To begin your research, you will read either one substantial text (a book) or three articles about your genre. The readings could range from general stylistic overviews, to historical works, to personal memoirs, or a biography/auto-biography of a major choreographer or dancer in your particular genre.

You will also complete 3 of the 9 following steps (choosing one option from each of the 3 categories:

FORM
1) Watch 3 video examples of the genre from Hofstra Media Services, the Lincoln Center Library, YouTube, or Vimeo
2) Watch or take a class in that style
3) Read 3 descriptive accounts of the form–teacher’s manuals, “how to” instruction articles, dancer’s memoirs, choreographer’s notes, critic’s reviews, etc.

FUNCTION
1) Interview a current or former dancer of that style
2) Read an interview of a current or former dancer in that style
3) Read an ethnographic account of your genre

CONTEXT
1) Attend a performance, rehearsal, competition, class, or festival of your chosen genre
2) Watch a documentary on the genre or a major choreographer/dancer in the field
3) Read 3 reviews of past performances of the genre

You will summarize your research findings by creating a Wiki page with the following subheadings. You will write between 100-250 words (between 1 paragraph – 1 double spaced page) under each subheading in which you will address the prompt questions below.

WIKI PAGE OUTLINE

NAME OF YOUR GENRE

VISUAL MEDIA TO BRING YOUR GENRE TO LIFE
Please post images (between 3-5) and video links (between 3-5) with proper citation (see Course Tab “ Useful Information” for citation tips & examples) in order to introduce your genre to the class.

OPENING—100 words (1 paragraph)
Why were you attracted to this genre? What did you know about it in advance? What preconceived notions did you have of the style and technique? What were you curious to find out?

SUBSTANTIAL TEXT OR 3 ARTICLES YOU READ—2 50 words (1 double spaced page)
What were you surprised to learn about your genre? Did your opinion of the genre change, or was it confirmed? What were several of your favorite moments in the book or in the 3 articles that you read? What significant social, political, or historical events influenced the development of your genre? How would you summarize the aesthetic of your genre?
FORM—250 words (1 double spaced page)
Describe the dance on a surface level–the movements, the number of dancers, the music, the spatial design, the mood, the costumes, the footwear etc. Then, on a deeper level, describe what was revealed to you about the dance because of your reading and research on the genre? Can you point to reasons why the form developed as it did? What significant events or issues came to play in its creation? Does the form of the dance change as its function or context changes? How? Why?

FUNCTION—250 words (1 double spaced page)
Describe the function(s) of your genre. Who performs this genre? Why? What is the meaning behind the form? Has the function changed over time? How does a change in function affect the form and context? Site examples from the step you took in order to back up your statements.

CONTEXT—250 words (1 double spaced page)
Describe the context(s) of your genre. Where is it performed? Who is the audience? Are they active or passive? How does the context affect the dance’s form and function? Site examples from the step you took in order to back up your statements.

CLOSING—100 words (1 paragraph)
What did you learn about your genre? What surprised you? What was confirmed? Can you draw connections between the form, function, and context of your genre? How does a shift in one affect the others? Can you name the strongest descriptive factor in your genre–the form, function, or context? What sets your genre apart and makes it unique from other genres?

CITATION
Here you will cite your resources (the book or articles you read, the videos you watched, and the images and videos you posted to bring your genre to life). See the Course Tab “Useful Information” for tips and examples of proper citation guidelines.

FINAL PROJECT DUE DATES
Your Final Project will be due in 3 Stages. Please see “Course Calendar” attached to the “Course Overview” tab for specific due dates.

STAGE ONE – FINAL PROJECT – (worth 50 points)
Please post the following information to your Wiki:
The name of the genre that you will study
Which book or 3 articles you will read
Which steps under the headings Form, Function, and Context you will complete

STAGE TWO – FINAL PROJECT – (worth 50 points)
Please complete the following and post it to your Wiki:
NAME OF YOUR GENRE

STAGE THREE – FINAL PROJECT – (worth 400 points)
Please post your completed Final Project to your Wiki, following the outline given above.

EXTRA CREDIT OPTION – (worth 20 points)
If you are interested in receiving 20 points Extra Credit, you may complete the following step and post it to the bottom of your Wiki page by the last day of class at 11:59pm EST:

Please read through 3 of your classmates’ Final Projects on their Wiki pages. Please make 3 bullet points for each classmate (for a total of 9 bullet points) that make note of something interesting that you learned about their dance genre.
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