CULTURAL CROSS CURRENTS: WEST AFRICAN DANCE/MUSIC IN THE AMERICAS

AFROAMER/ASIANAM/DANCE/FOLKLORE 319

An Afro Asian perspective provides a lens through which intersections between Asian American and African American dance and martial arts are studied and practiced. Asian American and African American movement genres provide tools to explore dance fusion, choreography, and improvisation, to create dances informed by African American and Asian American legacies of struggle, innovation and transformation, while cognizant of historical forces of oppression and racism. Building connections through respectful communication with others are learned through dance practice, discussion and writing about concepts learned through readings, videos, and guest artist visits. Engagement with dance as a cultural vehicle for creative problem-solving and risk-taking occurs through guided class or smaller group activities.

AFRICAN 409

Introduces the phenomenon of "musical blackness" as a US-based, transnational cultural form and practice. Explores (topics will vary) how US-based, racially specified black musical forms, together with global forms also identified as "black," were constituted as part of the legacies of European colonial encounter and US imperial expansion; the categories of "traditional" music and popular style took shape and have been experienced as something part and parcel of this historical process. Gives close consideration to genre, style, and performance practice, in order to understand the many ways in which musical sound and social/political ideas are inextricably linked.

AFROAMER 156

Examines the interaction between African American musical culture and its historical context, with an emphasis on the period from 1920 to the present.

DANCE/THEATRE 218

Technique, practice and performance of complex African and African-based dances in relation to polyrhythmic musical and percussive accompaniment. Study of historical and cultural contexts of these forms. Development of improvisational skills in dialogue with musicians.

DANCE 118

Technique and practice of several basic African dance forms with study of their musical, historical and cultural contexts.