Dance and Popular Culture

In this course, students examine contemporary culture and popular dance in the United States within the framework of sociopolitical, historical, gender, ethnicity, and identity constructs. American dance forms from the 1920's to the present will be studied including the innovations and contributions made by African and Latin Americans. Students will understand how popular dance reflects the people, attitudes, and values of American society and shapes national identity. Social and political changes, aesthetic values, literature, music, and technological advances will provide a larger cultural understanding of popular dance forms.