Dance, Health, and Wellness II: Community Dance in Practice

Catalog description

In this course, students collaborate with local community partners to engage in dance-based service-learning projects that support the health and wellbeing of a local community population. This course includes classroom and studio instruction on campus and substantial time off campus (20+ hours during the semester) that may require transportation. During class sessions, students learn movement and choreographic tools that promote the physical health, social connections, and creativity of community participants. Through readings, viewings, class discussions, and movement activities, students investigate, evaluate, and analyze the structure and content of existing local, regional, and national community-based arts programs. By exploring course content, they will gain a broader knowledge of the range of practices, partnerships, and outcomes of community-based art in the United States, and how these projects support community health and wellbeing. Students will work in teams and partner with a local community organization to learn about community health needs and develop lesson plans to implement in existing community dance classes. Through coursework and service-learning, students will develop reflexive teaching practices that support their growth as community-based artists and educators.