This course explores the forms, contents,
and contexts of world traditions in dance that played a crucial
role in shaping American concert dance. For example, we will identify
dances from an African American vernacular tradition that were
transferred from the social space to the concert stage. For example,
we will explore the artistic lives of such American dance artists
as Katherine Dunham, Pearl Primus, and Alvin Ailey along with
Isadora Duncan, Martha Graham, George Balanchine, and Merce Cunningham
as American dance innovators. Of particular importance to our
investigation will be the construction of gender and autobiography
that lie at the heart of concert dance practice, and the ways
in which these qualities have been choreographed by American artists.
Class lectures and discussions will analyze works created by these
artists, taking into consideration a variety of historical and
political contexts that gave rise to their inventions. Frequent
viewing assignments will help students identify visual, musical,
and kinesthetic underpinnings of choreographic structure.
In the introductory arc of the class, we will
spend considerable time ferreting out the roots of classical ballet
and its American presence, via visiting ballerinas such as Fanny Essler
and Marie Taglioni. From this we will trace a rise in performance
venues; the Puritan resistance to dance as 'immoral;' and the breaking
of tradition which allowed Isadora Duncan, Loie Fuller, and Ruth St.
Denis to create a space for concert dance that was not ballet. After
this we will hopefully understand the streak of feminist independence
at the root of modern dance practice. Martha Graham, Katherine Dunham,
Pearl Primus, and Agnes de Mille will fit directly into this lineage
as first-generation modern dance artists.
The requirements for this subject conform
to the mechanical requirements for all HASS-D's: there will be
no fewer than three writing assignments that will add up to a
minimum of 20 pages; one of these papers shall be rewritten; an
oral presentation shall be offered by each student;
and no less than one hour per week will be devoted to discussion. We
will also attend at least two dance performances in the Boston
area.
