Dance
- AMS 398/DAN 312/GSS 346: FAT: The F-Word and the Public BodyThe fat body operates at the conjuncture of political economy, beauty standards, and health. This seminar asks, How does this "f-word" discipline and regulate bodies in /as public? What is the "ideal" American public body and who gets to occupy that position? How are complex personhood, expressivity, health, and citizenship contested cultural and political economic projects? We will examine the changing history, aesthetics, politics, and meanings of fatness using dance, performance, memoirs, and media texts as case studies. Intersectional dimensions of the fat body are central to the course. No previous performance experience necessary.
- DAN 207: Introduction to BalletFrom grand plié to grand jeté, Introduction to Ballet is for students with a curiosity for the study of classical ballet. No prior dance experience necessary and beginners are welcome. In this studio course students will learn the fundamentals of ballet, gaining an understanding of its physicality, artistry, and principles of alignment. Students will examine the historical origins of ballet and its absorption of cultural influences. Live music will be featured in this class and key in exploring the inextricable link between music and dance.
- DAN 211/AAS 211: The American Experience and Dance Practices of the African DiasporaA studio course introducing students to African dance practices and aesthetics, with a focus on how its evolution has influenced American and African American culture, choreographers and dancers. An ongoing study of movement practices from traditional African dances and those of the African Diaspora, touching on American jazz dance, modern dance, and American ballet. Studio work will be complemented by readings, video viewings, guest speakers, and dance studies.
- DAN 215/ANT 355/GSS 215/AMS 215: Introduction to Dance Across CulturesBharatanatyam, butoh, hip hop, and salsa are some of the dances that will have us travel from temples and courtyards to clubs, streets, and stages around the world. Through studio sessions, readings and viewings, field research, and discussions, this seminar will introduce students to dance across cultures with special attention to issues of migration, cultural appropriation, gender and sexuality, and spiritual and religious expression. Students will also learn basic elements of participant observation research. Guest artists will teach different dance forms. No prior dance experience is necessary.
- DAN 221/THR 222: StillnessIn a universe filled with movement, how and why and where might we find relative stillness? What are the aesthetic, political, and daily life possibilities within stillness? In this studio course open to all, we'll dance, sit, question, and create substantial final projects. We'll play with movement within stillness, stillness within movement, stillness in performance and in performers' minds. We'll look at stillness as protest and power. We'll wonder when stillness might be an abdication of responsibility. We'll read widely within religions, philosophy, performance, disability studies, social justice, visual art, sound (and silence).
- DAN 306/GSS 367/THR 367: Introduction to Radical Access: Disability Justice in the ArtsDisability is front and center in a global social justice revolution. But who are the disabled artists and ideas behind this movement? How can we embrace Radical Accessibility and Care in our daily artistic practices? This course invites all artists, from choreographers to theater makers, film makers, visual artists, writers and composers to immerse in a highly collaborative, improvisational, experimental and inclusive community to explore Disability Justice as a framework for creative, dramaturgical and curatorial practices.
- DAN 318B: Dance Performance Workshop: Rhythm TapPrinceton Dance Festival performance course for the creation of a new rhythm tap dance. The course focuses on developing technical expertise, expressive range, and stylistic clarity. Students will examine various concepts - such as skeletal support, sequential movement, rhythm, and momentum to emphasize efficiency in motion - and perform an original work that represents a contemporary approach to dancemaking. The course encourages rich, subtle, and stylistically accurate renditions of choreography and engages students in collaborative learning.
- DAN 319A: Choreography Workshop IChoreography Workshop I exposes students to diverse methods of dance-making by tracing the evolution of choreographic thought. Varying approaches to improvisation will be taught to warm-up, discover movement material, and challenge movement habits. Classes will workshop compositional tasks that set limitations to spark creativity. Students will present their choreography weekly and learn to discuss, critique, and evaluate work shown in class. Selected readings and performances (both on video and live) will expose students to varying choreographic philosophies, processes, and aesthetics.
- DAN 319B: Dance Performance Workshop: Repertory IPrinceton Dance Festival performance course. Technique and repertory course that focuses on developing technical expertise, expressive range, and stylistic clarity. Students will examine concepts such as skeletal support, sequential movement, rhythm, and momentum to emphasize efficiency in motion. Students will learn and perform dances that represent diverse approaches to dance-making either through collaboration with faculty or by learning significant dances from modern and contemporary choreographers. The course encourages rich, subtle, and stylistically accurate renditions of choreography and engages students in collaborative learning.
- DAN 320A: Choreography Workshop IIDance choreography, with a focus on contemporary practices and performance. Classes will workshop compositional tasks that set limitations to spark creativity. Students will work in movement-based laboratories to develop their fluency with a wide range of contemporary choreographic approaches. Students will present their choreography weekly and learn to discuss, critique and evaluate work shown in class, Readings and viewings contextualize the work culturally and historically.
- DAN 320B: Dance Performance Workshop: Repertory IIPrinceton Dance Festival performance course. Technique and repertory course that focuses on developing technical expertise, expressive range, and stylistic clarity. Students will examine concepts such as skeletal support, sequential movement, rhythm, and momentum to emphasize efficiency in motion. Students will learn and perform dances that represent diverse approaches to dance-making either through collaboration with faculty or by learning significant dances from modern and contemporary choreographers. The course encourages rich, subtle, and stylistically accurate renditions of choreography and engages students in collaborative learning.
- DAN 419A: Choreography Workshop IIIChoreography Workshop III extends students' approaches to choreographic research by asking them to create complete works on dancers other than themselves. Students will consider how to transfer their vision to an ensemble and learn to give directives to groups that further their process. By focusing on developing an initial idea into a complete work, students will question their understanding of development and challenge themselves in new directions. Readings and viewings inform studio practice and invite students to wrestle with issues debated by today's dance artists.
- DAN 419B: Dance Performance Workshop: Repertory IIIPrinceton Dance Festival performance course. Technique and repertory course that focuses on developing technical expertise, expressive range, and stylistic clarity. Students will examine concepts such as skeletal support, sequential movement, rhythm, and momentum to emphasize efficiency in motion. Students will learn and perform dances that represent diverse approaches to dance-making either through collaboration with faculty or by learning significant dances from modern and contemporary choreographers. The course encourages rich, subtle, and stylistically accurate renditions of choreography and engages students in collaborative learning.
- DAN 420A: Choreography Workshop IVStudents workshop their senior thesis performance. Classes delve deeply into a specific choreographic process and performance approach in preparation for Senior Dance Thesis Production.
- DAN 420B: Dance Performance Workshop: Repertory IVPrinceton Dance Festival performance course. Technique and repertory course that focuses on developing technical expertise, expressive range, and stylistic clarity. Students will examine concepts such as skeletal support, sequential movement, rhythm, and momentum to emphasize efficiency in motion. Students will learn and perform dances that represent diverse approaches to dance-making either through collaboration with faculty or by learning significant dances from modern and contemporary choreographers. The course encourages rich, subtle, and stylistically accurate renditions of choreography and engages students in collaborative learning.