Despite the fact that dance and movement are integral parts of
virtually every society, past and present, the field of Anthropology
has not come to terms with these embodied phenomena with the same
thoroughness that it has applied to other aspects of culture.
Embodied ways of knowing, especially dance, are the focus of this
course.  We will examine  dance in its theatrical and cultural
contexts, explore its formal qualities through such issues as
technique, artistry, innovation, and style, look at who dances and how
they are "trained" and regarded in their societies, trace dance used
as a political expression of identity, and search out the meanings of
dance across multiple cultural domains.  We will use examples from
historical and contemporary dance, theatrical and culturally embedded
forms, and from a range of cultures.

Understanding by thinking and understanding by doing are different
matters.  It is impossible to "understand" dance and movement by
intellectual means alone.  That is why we call it "embodied."
Anthropologists commonly learn in the field by doing.  We will have
opportunities in class to share experiences of movement that may
include dance but also such embodied forms as martial arts, yoga,
sports, and ordinary movement and posture.

"Native" knowledge of a dance genre is valuable not only to
understanding that genre but also to knowing how to understand other
forms.  We will tap into the expertise of class members and special
guests as well as take advantage of performances, classes, rehearsals.
The Liz Lerman Dance Exchange will be performing in February at the
IU Auditorium and members of the company will be in residence from
February 16 to February 27.  The class will have opportunities to
attend workshops and seminars around the theme of the performance
piece Ferocious Beauty: Genome.

Requirements will include attendance and class participation, an essay
midterm, a research paper (or film) on a topic of your choosing, and a
reflective final essay.

Requirements and readings will be different for graduate students.