Humanities Arts Cultural Stu 0253 - Embodied Community, Dancing

This course is designed for students interested in merging social activism, performing arts and teaching. It teaches students to use movement arts and literary arts in settings such as senior centers, residential treatment centers for incarcerated youth, and youth recreation centers. In studio sessions, students will learn how to construct classes and dance and movement exchanges or events for community sites. Students will reflect on movement practices that help inform the body as a site for community-based learning in dance, or CBLD, as well as the body as a wellspring for personal and cultural narrative, and develop theoretical bridges between community concerns, needs, and assets and the university's role in this work. Much time will be spent together off-site in various locations throughout the Pioneer Valley, where students themselves will facilitate movement/theatre experiences. Some outside of class lab time is necessary to organize and develop the classes and possible performances. Selected videos and readings will provide a context for discussion and assist in the development of an individual student's research and teaching methods. Friday morning screenings/discussions and reflections will take place ordinarily twice per month unless otherwise notified; the exact schedule below and subject to change: Feb 10 & 17, March 3 & 24, April 14 & 28, 10:30-11:50am

Independent Work Multiple Cultural Perspectives Writing and Research Field trip fee: $20. In this course, students are expected to spend 6-8 hours weekly on work and preparation outside of class time.