Regional Dances of Mexico
Undergraduate ARTS course (advanced level, liberal).
Study Mexican folkloric dance traditions as an expressive art form and representation of Mexican culture and heritage, with a focus on different regional dances, culture, and music, and their transmission. Develop an appreciation of Mexican culture, history, and regional differences. Learn to recognize and distinguish culturally specific dance forms, aesthetics, representative styles and regional characteristics. Topics covered include regional styles, indigenous traditions, technique, education, pedagogy, dance transmission, movement conventions, gender roles, music, choreography, costumes, aesthetics, cultural values, and influences. In addition to course readings, students analyze digital performance videos, and choose one region for a culminating research or creative project.
Learning Outcomes
- Through written assignments and discussion, locate, identify and differentiate Mexican regional dances, and situate them within Mexican culture, history, and regional differences. Discuss specific dance forms, aesthetics, representative styles and regional characteristics, and how they are transmitted.
- Demonstrate the ability to describe, analyze and critique Mexican folkloric dance performances, while relating each work to one or more of the course topics.
- Complete a research or creative project on a topic related to regional dances of Mexico.
Prerequisites: Advanced level reading, research, and writing skills. An introductory level course on arts and culture such as: Humanities Through the Arts, Diversity in the American Arts, Exploring the World of Music, Music Across Cultures, Dance Across World Cultures, Art History or the equivalent.