DANC A168: African Dance and Drumming III
| 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) |
|
Course Description
This intermediate/advanced level African dance course focuses on traditional and ritual West African dances, drumming, rhythms and songs from Guinea (“Kakilambe”), Senegal (“Sunu”) and Burkina Faso (“Folongoto”) and/or others. Each class is accompanied by live drumming, an integral, dynamic support to African dance. Additionally, students will create and perform short group compositions, “village dances” based on vocabulary and rhythms learned in class. The course includes information about the integral link between dance and the social/religious aspects of African culture. ADVISORY: DANC A138. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC.
Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)
- Demonstrate progress in mastering dance vocabulary, rhythms, body isolations and choreographed sequences in West African dances from Guinea, Senegal and/or Burkina Faso.
- Demonstrate progress in performing West African choreography and the accompanying song and drum rhythms with full expression and rhythmic clarity for dances studied in class: Kakilambe, Sunu, Folongoto (and/or others), presented in a class setting or for an audience in a theatre.
Course Objectives
- 1. Demonstrate progress in performing intermediate/advanced level West African dance vocabulary from Guinea, Senegal and Burkina Foso.
- 2. Demonstrate progress in singing songs, chants and bucket drumming rhythms learned in class.
- 3. Demonstrate improved coordination, rhythm, confidence and spirit when learning and performing the individual dances and chants being taught (Kakilambe, Sunu and/or Folongoto).
- 4. Demonstrate understanding of Kakilambe rhythmic patterns (12/8, 6/8, and 4/4) through bucket drumming, clapping or stamping.
- 5. Demonstrate ability to integrate various African dance vocabularies with personal movement ideas and expression in an improvisational setting and/or collaborative composition
- 6. Explain through a written test, discussion or choreographic project the integration of culture/religion/ dance and music in Guinee or other West African regions.
- 7. 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 progress in class and performance.
- 8. Perform at least one African dance learned in class in a mainstage production
Lecture Content
A. Orientation 1. Requirements, procedures, etiquette, safety factors and dress code 2. Course objectives, student learning outcomes 3. Explanation of evaluation and skill tests; performance dates B. History and background 1. Healing aspects of African dance: repetitious, hypnotic movement accompanied by live drumming 2. Kakilambe, aritual dance symbolizing the celebration of the growth of crops, life and the birth of children. 3. African Dance touring companies such as Ballets de Senegal and Ballet Africains; influences on American dance and culture C. The importance of rhythm in African culture 1. Kakilambe and rhythms of Senegal and/or Burkina Faso 2. Kakilambe percussion patterns in African music (12/8, 6/8 and 4/4). 3. Songs and chants 4. African percussion instruments; influences on Brazilian and world music D. Preparation for “village dance” composition assignment; elements and criteria E. Intermediate level bucket drumming techniques and intermediate/advanced rhythm skills 1. Soloing techniques, polyrhythms 2. Listening, time keeping, accents, syncopation ; 3. Playing counterpoint parts in synchronization as one community F. Notes, cues and encouragement to perform with commitment
Lab Content
A. Learn and practice specific Kakilambe rhythms of Guinea (call and response, students stick drumming on paint buckets) and the accompanying song/chants for the Senegalese dance, Sunu and Folongoto from Burkina Faso. B. Review intermediate level concepts previously learned: posture of body in West African dance forms, etc. C. Warm-up exercises: body isolations; torso, ribs, hips, limbs, head (danced to music by live drummers) D. Learn and practice shifts of weight, lunges, gestures, jumps and exercises for developing range of motion, strength and endurance. E. Locomotor movements and combinations traveling across the floor to get the heart rate up and to integrate movement and rhythm skills (with continuous drumming by guest accompanists).
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
A. Reading Assignment: Materials handed out by instructor, assigned text or Internet research assignments
Writing Assignments
Critique on live performance, or African dance related event, or journal and/or self-evaluation of progress.
Out-of-class Assignments
Out –of- Class Assignment: Individual practice of skills and vocabulary, rehearsals of dance material and phrases, attendance of live ethnic dance performances.
Demonstration of Critical Thinking
Midterm, Final, Short Quizzes
Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration
Written Assignment, Objective Examinations, Skills Demonstrations
Other Resources
1. Videos audio recordings – Mamady Keita, Yousef Koumbasa, Landouma Fare (Guinee), Selected handout material to be provided and distributed by the instructor. Recommended Reading: African Dance, Ashante