With an eye to the esthetic qualities of the human body in motion, this course surveys diverse forms of dance in many cultures of the world in order to deepen our appreciation of the spiritual, emotional, and intellectual dimensions of this universal mode of expression. We begin with studying how and why the human body is uniquely designed for dancing. We continue with the study of rhythm as a psycho-kinesthetic phenomenon and observe how dance, song, and poetry arise in the same experience. We then trace the evolution of dance forms from spiritual to classical, folk, social, vernacular, and personal that societies typically develop through time. Special study will be given to the development of dance in ancient Greece that provided the foundation for dance as an art form in Western Civilization. The course is illustrated with visual and auditory materials of some of the most exotic and fascinating dance forms practiced in history and today. Live demonstrations and modest class participation will also animate our exploration of the Terpsichorean art!
