THEA 229 - Beginning African Dance

Credits: 4

Dance is one of the oldest art forms in Africa. It reflects the culture of people in many contexts. This course introduces students to authentic African dance traditions from Ghana. It explores the meaning, values, aesthetics and various contexts in which dance is performed among Ghanaian societies. Beginning with basic timeline and dance steps, students will understand various movements, gestures and expressions as a significant means of communicating ideas, aesthetics embedded in the performance and how the dance performance enforce social bonds. Students will also learn songs that accompany the dances to deepen their understanding of creative processes, experience artistic expressions and interrelatedness of holistic African and for that matter Ghanaian music and dance cultures. Students are required to have uniforms. They will be available for purchase. Repeatable. Offered most fall and spring semesters.