Midterm - Unit 1 - Intro

Question 1

Definition of Dance

Answer 1

“Dance is a transient mode of expression performed in a given form and style by the human body moving in space. Dance occurs through purposefully selected and controlled rhythmic movements; the resulting phenomenon is recognized as dance by both the performer and the observing members of a given group.”

Question 2

multicultural elements of dance

Answer 2

defines and embodies culture

is a gateway to understanding culture.

Question 3

Anthropology

Answer 3

is the study of all aspects of human life and culture

Question 4

Culture

Answer 4

can be defined as the ways of life learned and shared by people in social groups.

Question 5

Symbolic representation

Answer 5

Symbolic representation is used in cultural groups to communicate complex thoughts, to pass knowledge from one generation to the next. Symbols give meaning to everything around them – every thought, every kind of human interaction. Symbolic representations include language, art, dance, music, etc.

Question 6

Franz Boas (1858-1942)

Answer 6

Known as the “Father of
American Anthropology”
Differences in groups of people are the result of historical, social and geographic conditions

Question 7

Gertrude Kurath (1903-1992)

Answer 7

Dancer, choreographer,
teacher & musician
her work emphasized cross-cultural studies of music and dance within their cultural, historical, and social contexts

Question 8

Dance ethnology/ethnochoreology

Answer 8

is defined as “the scientific study of ethnic dances in all their cultural significance, religious function or symbolism, or social place.” (Vissicaro, 15)

Question 9

five premises for adopting a culturally sensitive approach to studying dance in its cultural context by Deidre Sklar

Answer 9

1. Movement knowledge is a kind of cultural knowledge.
2. Movement knowledge is conceptual and emotional, as well as kinesthetic.
3. Movement knowledge is intertwined with other kinds of cultural knowledge.
4. One has to look beyond movement to get at its meaning.
5. Movement is always an immediate corporeal experience.

Question 10

Shiva,

Answer 10

Hindu god of creation and destruction

Question 11

Cross-cultural study

Answer 11

is the comparison of different cultural knowledge systems. It is informed by looking at cultures from two perspectives: emic vs. etic.

Question 12

Emic

Answer 12

Insider perspective of cultural reality

Question 13

Etic

Answer 13

outsider perspective of cultural reality, more scholarly

Question 14

Personal Emic

Answer 14

What the researcher already knows

Question 15

Mise-en-scène

Answer 15

the arrangement of activities in the total environment that occur before, during and after the actual dancing

Question 16

two types of dance events:

Answer 16

the contained dance event and the extended dance event.

Question 17

Contained dance event is a theatrical performance or competition that has been transformed from informal to formal performance by means of rules, structure, specific purpose, etc. (i.e., pow wow dancing). The transformed event has a different purpose from the original version, though the transformed event is no less significant.

Answer 17

is a theatrical performance or competition that has been transformed from informal to formal performance by means of rules, structure, specific purpose, etc. (i.e., pow wow dancing). The transformed event has a different purpose from the original version, though the transformed event is no less significant.
Theatrical performance or competition (low context
The audience of a contained dance event usually does not need an in-depth background of the culture to appreciate the event.

Question 18

Extended dance event

Answer 18

is one that “creates cultural continuity, strengthens social organization, and governs behavior before, during, and after the event.” (Vissicaro, 138)
– i.e., Potlatch (Pacific Northwest tribes)
cultural knowledge is necessary to understand the event;
meaning is specific to those sharing cultural knowledge;
– Potlatch status affirmed through speeches, gift giving, dance, song, etc.

Question 19

Macro Features of Dance Events

Answer 19

where?
when? 
why?
how?
who?
what?

Question 20

Micro Features of Dance Events

Answer 20

Laban Movement Analysis (LMA)
– Space: movement type, formation, patterns, body parts, body extensions, personal space, spatial relationships, size, design or shape of the movement, direction and level
– Time: rhythm, tempo, duration, pulse, accent, etc.
– Energy: dynamics of movement which can be categorized as sustained, percussive, swing, collapse, or vibratory

Question 21

Joann Keali’inohomoku

Answer 21

considering ballet as a form of ethnic dance