230600 Everynight Life: Dance in Cultural Studies (S) (SoSe 2010)

"Dance is the hidden language of the soul" (choreographer Martha Graham)

Most of us dance in one way or another: formally or even institutionalized in dancing schools or clubs; informally on parties, in discos, in living rooms or on tables. Fewer people still dance professionally. Dance as an art form is held in high esteem in western societies; dance as a sport an audience's favorite.
But dancing is also an utterly immediate way of expressing cultural knowledge and individual history via the body. This means of cultural expression gets even more intriguing regarding the fact that dances are travellers and often exceed the limits of their region of origin.
In this seminar we will investigate a variety of dances, mostly from Latin America, as communicative tools and consequently backdrops for cultural allegiances as well as sites of resistance.
The Blockseminar includes theoretical sessions for class discussions and group phases. Moreover, thanks to the contribution of Pierre Brakhage, dancing teacher and owner of the dancing school "Tanzstudio Traumtänzer" in Lemgo, we will also be treated to some active experiencing. He will join us for three afternoon sessions to help us transfer words into movements.

Requirements for participation, required level

No special knowledge required BUT:
-Interest in dance in a theoretical and practical sense AND
-Willingness to practice with a presumably female dance partner are mandatory