Theater and Dance 155 - Intro to Dance Studies

(Offered as SWAG 155 and THDA 155) This course will focus on dance performance as it reflects theories of gender, sexuality, critical race, crip (disability), and queer studies. We will look at these theories to gain an introductory understanding of their origins, perspectives, and frameworks, specifically around the physical body and performance. Through readings, discussions, viewing of recordings of contemporary choreographic work, analytic writings, movement experiences, and attendance at live dance events, we will use these theoretical frameworks to deconstruct dance performance to determine how dance is a cultural art practice that is constantly theorizing and subverting the implications of the body through performance. 

We will reference theorists such as Judith Butler, Susan Bordo, bell hooks, Michel Foucault, Brenda Dixon Gottschild, Laura Mulvey, Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick, and Michael Warner. Some of the choreographers we will examine in this course include Martha Graham, Katherine Dunham, Merce Cunningham, Trisha Brown, Pina Bausch, Ralph Lemon, Bill T. Jones, and Crystal Pite. 

Limited to 18 students. Spring semester. Visiting Assistant Professor Brown.