Dance 148 - Middle Eastern Dance

The Middle East is a region full of diverse,;beautiful, and nuanced styles of dance. Among;these is bellydance, or Raqs Sharqi, derived from;a wide variety of folkloric influences, and known;primarily for hip and torso isolations and;fast-paced shimmies. This class focuses;predominantly on the American style (which;primarily combines Turkish, Lebanese, and;Egyptian styles with some elements of Western;stylization) and modern Egyptian style methods;of movement. Students will become familiar with;famous classic Middle Eastern songs, modern pop;music, and some of the basic Arabic rhythms;crucial to the dance form. The class will begin;with the fundamental movements of Raqs Sharqi;taught through muscular breakdowns and attention;to proper style-specific form. Students will also;be required to read assigned articles to engage;with concepts of defining dance, debates about;appropriation, and historical aspects of the;dance form. They will write three brief responses;that reflect upon this information.