DAN 142 - Afro-Caribbean Dance Forms

How do Caribbean dance practices mobilize identity, history, politics and community values? In what ways does dance shape understandings of Caribbean peoples and nations? What forms of embodied practice produce, sustain and promote Caribbean ways of knowing? How can we engage dance as a site to study creative forms of resistance and migration?  This course introduces students to the study of Caribbean dance forms through regular dance practice as well as reading, writing, viewing, discussions, research, and guest artist visits. Throughout the semester, we will explore a diversity of Caribbean dance practices, primarily focusing on Cuba, Haiti, Trinidad, and Puerto Rico, paying particular attention to race, gender and sexuality. No dance experience necessary, just willingness to approach course engagement from an embodied perspective.

Satisfies a major requirement in Africana Studies
Satisfies a minor requirement in Dance
Satisfies the Visual and Performing Arts requirement
Satisfies the Cultural Diversity requirement