DNC 245, 246 - Hip Hop Cultures: Families

Course unit(s): 0.5
Prerequisite(s): DNC 145 - Hip Hop Cultures: Comprehending  or permission of the instructor.
 

Hip-Hop Dance Families is a further continuation of building learning and sharpening techniques that will expose students to the different families of hip-hop. Emphasis will be on how the culture expresses its evolution through movement from Breaking to Stepping, integrating this development within social dance forms and in dance halls. Hip-Hop Dance Families is a participatory movement course that will allow students to identify with the culture, its growth, and influences around the world. Course discussions will integrate specific global issues addressing the oppression and appropriation of African Americans, Latino Americans, other minorities, and genders within their community through this expressive movement that unifies a society. The physical movement learned throughout the course will relate directly to the African diaspora and its evolution within the American dance culture. Coursework will also integrate readings, written/video recording assignments, dance viewing and performance, class discussions, assessments, and critical analysis to further enhance students’ understanding and experience of Hip Hop through a historical framework and social/cultural context. This course will take the learner into a deeper conversation with Hip-Hop Dance, and dissect Hip-Hop Dance Families closely so that learners receive a broader understanding of the specified families and their dance techniques. One semester learners will be exposed to House and Dance Hall and its complete culture, theories, grooveology, and history. Another semester, learners will experience Old School Hip-Hop and Breaking allowing the skilled dancer a very in-depth education of the specified families.