DANC 252 - Improvisation

Since the early 1960s, improvisation has played an increasingly sophisticated role in contemporary dance. This course will investigate contemporary improvisational practices that are at once creative, performative, and philosophic. Half of the semester will focus on contact improvisation, a partnering form that explores the exchange of physical support, the practice of which has challenged notions of gender roles, ability and disability, and community structure. The other half of the semester will focus on choreographic improvisation, a constellation of improvisational practices in which movement scores are developed and refined over time, and which has influenced changing views of the function of performance and the relationships between makers, performers, and viewers of dance. Our primary mode of investigation will be moving; this practice-based research will be contextualized by readings and viewings. Students enrolled in the course for one unit will undertake additional readings and studio-based work.

Unit(s): Variable: 0.5 - 1
Group Distribution Requirement(s): Distribution Group I
Instructional Method: Studio-conference
Grading Mode: Letter grading (A-F)
Repeatable for Credit: May be taken up to 3 times for credit.
Notes: One year of dance technique or one year of creative work in visual art, music, theatre, or creative writing is highly recommended. This course may be applied toward either the dance studio or studies requirements.
Not offered: 2024-25
Group Distribution Learning Outcome(s):

Understand how arguments can be made, visions presented, or feelings or ideas conveyed through language or other modes of expression (symbols, movement, images, sounds, etc.).
Analyze and interpret texts, whether literary or philosophical, in English or a foreign language, or works of the visual or performing arts.
Evaluate arguments made in or about texts (whether literary or philosophical, in English or a foreign language, or works of the visual or performing arts).