General Instructions:

1. Answer the three questions. This includes all bullet points under the question. Each question response goes into a new answer text box.
   
2. The responses for the 3 questions must comprise of AT LEAST 500 words each. You must include the word count at the bottom of the answer.
3. Draw from online presentations, assigned readings, and visual materials as evidence/sources to substantiate your claims. Take advantage of all materials introduced in class.
   
4. Your responses MUST have clear spelling, syntax, and grammar.
5. You must also appropriately cite/reference material, when using textbook, lecture, video

Question #1

In this course we often consider dance as an art form that circulates. Answer each of these bullet points fully in separate paragraphs:

• How are dances circulated (give at least 2 examples) in the dance forms we have explored? Then, detail what happens to these dances when they do circulate or travel?
• How has the 21st century changed or affected methods in which dance circulates? (This is not necessarily in your readings and viewings. )
• Discuss how these new ways of traveling dances affect what happens to these dances that circulate in contemporary ways. (Again, not necessarily in class material. Use your knowledge of dance to hypothesize how these new ways of circulating could affect change. How does the dance change? Who is the audience? Etc.)

Question #2

In this course, we have explored how African cultural expression, by way of dance, has permeated American culture by way of African American vernacular dances and/or dance forms evolved by Black choreographers/dancers. Answer this prompt fully in your response:

• Trace how African American culture has influenced and shaped the collection of dances we have studied in this course by providing at least three concrete examples of dance forms derived from Black aesthetics and place them in historical context.

Question #3

Dance scholar Brenda Dixon Gottschild suggests that Africanist aesthetics, which includes elements of African dance, can be found in distinctly Western dance forms like ballet, which has evolved from a European lineage and developed and performed primarily by white bodies. Dixon Gottschild suggests that Balanchine, a ballet choreographer from the 1920’s inserted into his ballet vocabulary and choreography, Africanist influences. Relying on your growing knowledge of African dance forms, watch this video clip from Balanchine’s Four Temperaments.

George Balanchine: The Four TemperamentsLinks to an external site.

And this clip from Agon:

Agon pt 1Links to an external site.

For this response, answer all three of these bullet points fully:

• Describe primary elements related to African dance (with a focus on the body)
• Discuss if you agree with Dr. Brenda Dixon Gottschild assertion after watching the Balanchine videos
  
• Substantiate your argument by exploring the dance movements within The Four Temperaments and Agon. Connect what you see within the videos to the elements of African dance discussed in lecture and in your class reading.