Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2023 - CA 120 E100

Introduction to Dance Forms: Contemporary and Popular (3)

Afro-Caribbean

Class Number: 7288

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 6 – Oct 6, 2023: Tue, Thu, 5:30–7:20 p.m.
    GOLDCORP

    Oct 11 – Dec 5, 2023: Tue, Thu, 5:30–7:20 p.m.
    GOLDCORP

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A studio course devoted to the development of movement skills through specific styles of dance. The content of the course changes every term including techniques in Bhangra, Afro-Caribbian, Hip Hop and Contemporary. May repeat for credit. May be of particular interest to students in other departments.

COURSE DETAILS:

Performance of Ethno-choreo-musical of East African Dances (Uganda)

The inseparability of music and dance in African artistic experiences has preoccupied scholars and researchers in ethnomusicology, ethnochoreology, and musicology. Commonly, music is conceptualized as an accompaniment to dance (Mabingo 2019).

This course introduces the learners to the holistic grasp of both theory and practice of various dances of East Africa, with an emphasis on Uganda. From a generic perspective, it will also reference dances from other East African countries.

Besides, the knowledge and skills in the dance movements and other cultural aspects such as songs, musical accompaniment, aesthetics, costumes, and oral narratives will be looked at. We will also focus on the idea of change and continuity as key component of these practices, as the latter has been influenced by external influences. Therefore, how a society responds to these influences will be a key issue in the course.

Additionally, the course offers a critical analysis of cultural, social, occupational, political, and religious processes that influenced the creation of dance and musical forms. As such, it will be useful for students interested in examining the anthropological, ethnochoreological, and ethnomusicological tools and perspectives that focus on the study of African Indigenous groups of people through the art of dance and musical forms.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

By the end of the course, Students should be able to:

1. Examine the social, political and historical context and conceptual narratives embedded in the dances.
2. Explain the relevance of these to others.

3. Execute the foundational and variant motifs, gestures, phrases and movement vocabularies of some dances from East Africa.

4. Perform a folk song and play the basic drum rhythms of the dances.

5. Equip students with basic research tools and skills to analyze dance and musical forms from dances of East Africa.

Grading

  • Class attendance, discussion and movement performance 20%
  • Mid-semester written test 10%
  • Final Exam - Written examination 30%
  • Final Exam - Practical studio presentations 40%

Materials

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the semester are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.