Dance and Restoration

Catalog description

Prerequisite: at least one prior college-level psychology course; minimum age of 21 for Bedford Hills Correctional Facility clearance requirements This course, intended for students interested in exploring dance as a restorative act of living, will introduce the existential and social-neurological significance of dance in forming and sustaining human societies and collectively investigate the course inquiry: In the face of suffering and discordance, can we restore hope and connection through dance? Students will learn a diverse map of dance/ movement practices categorized by Dance and Suffering, Dance and Joy, and Dance and Community, exploring how dance has historically and culturally shaped interpersonal understanding and community building. Under each theme, the class will share and witness each other’s ancestral and cultural dance/movement rituals through intermodal art making to further expand one’s embodied knowledge of dance as a restorative act of living. No prior dance or arts experiences are required. Open to juniors and seniors. Occurring at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, this course will bring together students from both Sarah Lawrence and Bedford Hills. Advanced Research Methods and Research Ethics