DANC A158: African Dance and Drumming II
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Curriculum Committee Approval Date | 12/08/2021 |
| Top Code | 100810 - Commercial Dance |
| Units | 1 Total Units |
| Hours | 36 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 9; Lab Hours 27) |
| Total Outside of Class Hours | 0 |
| Course Credit Status | Credit: Degree Applicable (D) |
| Material Fee | No |
| Basic Skills | Not Basic Skills (N) |
| Repeatable | No |
| Grading Policy | Standard Letter (S),
|
| Associate Arts Local General Education (GE) |
|
| Associate Science Local General Education (GE) |
|
| California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth) |
|
Course Description
This intermediate level African dance course focuses on traditional African dances, drumming and songs from Guinee, West Africa. Each class is accompanied by live drumming, an integral, dynamic support to African dance. Additionally students will study Afro Haitian and/or Afro Cuban dances, songs and drumming. The course includes information about the integral link between dance and the social/religious aspects of African culture. ADVISORY: DANC A138 or successful audition, validated during the first week of the course. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC.
Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)
- Execute intermediate level dance vocabulary, rhythms, body isolations and choreographed sequences in West African dance styles.
- Demonstrate progress in performing one West African song, drum rhythms and the accompanying movement for the dance (Kuku), one Afro-Haitian dance and one Afro-Cuban dance, performing in class and/or for an audience in a theatre setting.
Course Objectives
- 1. Demonstrate progress in performing intermediate level West African dance movements, co-ordinations and songs.
- 2. Demonstrate improved coordination, rhythm, confidence and spirit when learning and performing the individual dances and chants being taught (Kuku, Rhumba, Yanvalu or others).
- 3. Demonstrate understanding of intermediate level rhythmic elements through bucket drumming, clapping or stamping.
- 4. Demonstrate ability to integrate various African dance vocabularies with personal movement ideas and expression in an improvisational setting and/or collaborative composition.
- 5. Explain through a written test, discussion or choreographic project the integration of culture/religion/ dance in Guinee or other African regions.
- 6. Analyze and critique in writing the experience of attending a world dance concert and the content of that performance and/or write a self-evaluation of students performance.
Lecture Content
A. Orientation 1. Requirements and procedures, course objectives, etiquette and dress code 2. Safety factors 3. Student Goals B. History and background 1. African influences on Cuban and Haitian dance and music 2. African American contributions to the resurgent interest in these forms in the early 1960s 3. The djembe culture, the drum and its many forms C. The importance of rhythm in African culture and modern life; the driving force for African dance D. Bucket drumming techniques and intermediate rhythm skills 1. Listening, time keeping, accents, syncopation 2. Playing counterpoint parts in synchronization as one community E. Notes, cues and encouragement to perform with commitment
Lab Content
Learn specific rhythms (students stick drumming on paint buckets) and the accompanying song/chant for the dance, Kuku, or other dances from Guinee (call and response). Review beginning level concepts previously learned: posture of body in West African dance forms, etc. Warm-up exercises: body isolations; torso, ribs, hips, limbs, head (with guest drummers) Learn and practice shifts of weight, and exercises/steps for developing range of motion, strength and endurance Locomotor movements and combinations of various West African dance styles traveling across the floor to get the heart rate up and to integrate movement and rhythm skills (with continuous drumming by guest accompanists). Learn stepping patterns and rhythmic gestures, movements and phrases specific to Kuku (learned over several class periods) Practice phrases individually with alternating lines leading
Method(s) of Instruction
- Lecture (02)
- Lab (04)
Instructional Techniques
Instructor will use the following methodologies: lecture, visual demonstration, analysis of movements, discussion of theories, and concepts, individual and group corrections, individual and small group practice, creative expression exercises and problem solving, skill test performance, instructor and peer evaluation, live dance concert attendance, video viewings, reading assignments and written work.
Reading Assignments
Materials handed out by instructor or Internet research assignments (approximately 1 hour per semester).
Writing Assignments
Critique on live performance, or African dance related event, or journal and/or self-evaluation of progress (approximately 1 hour per semester).
Out-of-class Assignments
Individual practice of skills and vocabulary, rehearsals of dance material and phrases, attendance of live ethnic dance performances (approximately 1 hour per week).
Demonstration of Critical Thinking
Self-evaluation; class discussion; application of concepts in each class; personal application of reading assignments
Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration
Written critique of dance concert or written self-evaluation; skills tests performances; in class improvisation and composition exercises
Eligible Disciplines
Dance: Masters degree in dance, physical education with a dance emphasis, or theater with dance emphasis, OR bachelors degree in any of the above AND masters degree in physical education, any life science, physiology, theater arts, kinesiology, humanities, performing arts, or music OR the equivalent. Masters degree required.
Other Resources
1. Videos - Yousef Koumbasa, Landouma Fare (Guinee), Afro Cuba De Matanzas (Cuba)