DAN 433 - West African Dance Technique IV (2 Cr.)

Advanced study of dance as a form of communication; decolonizing “technique” via authentic West African dance movement, and their relationships to other art forms. This advanced class will build and refine contemporary movement practices of Africa and the Diaspora. The course will challenge students to learn professional vocabulary in contemporary dance practice, intricate phrase work and notions of presence and staging in concert. Students will learn to become adept in contemporary dance technique through the practice of new movement vocabularies and new choreography rooted in African cultures. Students will work on advanced solo and duo work as well as group work in choreography as set by the professor. Work produced in this class may be performed for the campus community. Movement research, and theories of processes will be addressed in relation to the course materials. Repeatable up to three times for credit. Placement in DAN 433. Fall and spring semester. Program faculty.