STUDYING DANCE CULTURES AROUND THE WORLD offers the first and most comprehensive framework for studying dance cultures in diverse geographic areas and historical time periods. It is designed exclusively for college courses pertaining to multicultural dance education, and includes discussion questions, ideas for creative projects, as well as an extensive list of additional readings.
The focus is largely interdisciplinary, weaving together aspects of the social and natural sciences within the theme of dynamism. It is an easy-to-read text with clear, concise explanations of fundamental theories and methods for dance cultural study. An important component of the text is discussion about the comparative process, central for investigating dance or any other human cultural phenomena. The author also examines complex and controversial concepts, such as, culture, race, and ethnicity within a 21st Century context to promote holistic, critical analyses of dance. Vivid descriptions of specific dance cultures, unique photograhs, and maps compliment the text.
Wide variety of descriptions representing dance cultures originating from all continents and different types of environments.
Discussion questions located at the end of each chapter.
Discussion questions, which extend major concepts introduced, are student-centered.
Suggestions for different types of creative projects are provided at the end of each chapter.
Acknowledgments
Preface
Foreword
Part 1 Dance as Orientation
Chapter 1 Multicultural Dance Education
Introduction
Living in a Multicultural World
Multicultural Education
Dance and Multiculturalism
Summary
Notes
Discussion Questions/Statements
Creative Projects
Chapter 2 Humanities and Dance
Introduction
Minimal Definitions
Humanities
Anthropology
Dance
Summary
Notes
Discussion Questions/Statements
Creative Projects
Chapter 3 The Comparative Framework
Introduction
Comparative or Cross-Cultural Study
Emic Perspectives
Personal Emic
Etic Perspectives
One Example of Comparative Dance Study
Summary
Notes
Discussion Questions/Statements
Creative Projects
Part 2 Dance as Interaction
Chapter 4 The Dynamic World
Introduction
Physics and Dance 7
Dance and Creation Myths
Summary
Notes
Discussion Questions/Statements
Creative Projects
Chapter 5 Human Interaction
Introduction
Social Life
Social Organization
Cognition
Social Context
Summary
Notes
Discussion Questions/Statements
Creative Projects
Chapter 6 The Dynamic Individual
Introduction
World View
Cultural Knowledge Systems
Dance Culture
The Language of Culture
Summary
Notes
Discussion Questions/Statements
Creative Projects
Part 3 Dance as Representation
Chapter 7 Identity
Introduction
Race
Nationality
Ethnicity
Summary
Notes
Discussion Questions/Statements
Creative Projects
Chapter 8 Labels and Categorization
Introduction
Issues of Power
Ethnocentrism
Primitive, Folk, and Ethnic Dance
Traditional and Classical Dance
Social and Popular Dance
Summary
Notes
Discussion Questions/Statements
Creative Projects
Chapter 9 Movement, Perception, and Values
Introduction
The Movement Experience
Kinesthetic and Aesthetic
Art and Non-Art
Authenticity
Summary
Notes
Discussion Questions/Statement
Pegge
Vissicaro
Dr. Pegge Vissicaro, internationally recognized anthropology of dance scholar and educator, has extensive experience as a performer, author, and community arts leader. Currently, she serves as Honors College Assistant Professor of Teaching at Northern Arizona University and is Executive Director of Cross-Cultural Dance Resources. She also is Professor Emeritus at Arizona State University where she held various administrative appointments in the Department of Dance, implemented innovative curricula, and pioneered online education. Dr. Vissicaro was a Fulbright Scholar from 1996-1997 and two-time Fulbright Specialist to Portugal in 2008 and 2012. The widely disseminated textbook, Studying Dance Cultures, co-edited volume, Performing Utopia, and many peer-reviewed articles contribute significantly to dance culture scholarship. She has a BFA and MFA in dance performance and choreography from the University of Michigan (1978) and University of North Carolina-Greensboro (1981) respectively, a PhD in interdisciplinary curriculum and instruction from Arizona State University (2003), and a MA in cultural anthropology from Northern Arizona University (2023).