DANCE 221Introduction to African Dance and Culture

1 credit · Dance · Penn State

Africa, with its diverse people, languages, and history has a rich cultural foundation that includes many artistic elements including music, dance, folk tales, poems, graphic/plastic arts, mask making and more. According to Lynne Emery, author of Black Dance in America, "music and dance are two of the most highly developed of the arts and the complexities of African rhythmic structure. . . dance is a fundamental element of African aesthetic expression that historically was recreational and secular, but in one form or another pervaded all of African life." This course will introduce you to traditional West African based dance movements and culture. The course focuses on integrating music, movement, drama, costume, and vocalization.