Deeper Ecology: Moving to Connect with Earth and Environment
DANC 240
Spring 2018 not offered
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This somatically-based course will focus on how movement and body can exist in relation to Earth and environment. How can our own physical movement practices become tools in (1) connecting with the natural world, (2) gaining understanding and information, and (3) advocating, educating, and making change. We will explore this through three approaches: dance and movement improvisation, movement ritual, and biodynamic farming. Each section of the course will allow us to engage with the natural environment in a different physical way and to reflect on distinctions between observing, interacting, and shaping it. We will dance indoors and outdoors, enhance our perceptual awareness through exercises in seeing and listening, create movement rituals, and volunteer at Long Lane Farm to get an introduction to sustainable agriculture as a physical practice.
We will also engage in readings and discussion of works in deep ecology, eco-feminism, philosophy, and somatic practice. Students will gain an understanding of a range of views about the connections between humans and nature and question the idea of "nature" as a separate entity to conquer or protect. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA DANC |
| Course Format: Studio | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (DANC-MN) |
Major Readings:
Greta Gaard (ed.), ECOFEMINISM Maria Mies and Vandana Shiva, ECOFEMINISM
Val Plumwood, FEMINISM AND THE MASTERY OF NATURE
Kimerer LaMothe, WHY WE DANCE
Frederique Apffel-Marglin, SUBVERSIVE SPIRITUALITIES
Andrea Olsen, BODY AND EARTH: AN EXPERIENTIAL GUIDE
Dolores LaChapelle, RITUAL IS ESSENTIAL
Malidoma Patrice Some, RITUAL: POWER, HEALING AND COMMUNITY
Nala Walla, THE EMBODIED ACTIVIST: WHERE PERMACULTURE MEETS THE ARTS Michael Pollan, THE OMNIVORE'S DILEMMA
Daron Joffe, CITIZEN FARMERS
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Examinations and Assignments:
one short paper (5 pages); one independent movement assignment; one group final project; one independent research inquiry and class presentation |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
For POI: Students should write a 1-2 page statement explaining: 1) why do they want to take the course? 2) what dance or movement experience have they had thus far? 3) what has brought their attention/interest to environmental issues? 4) where and when do they feel most connected to the natural world and why?
This section is part of the Spring Intensive pilot program. Students who enroll in the program will take courses during spring 2016 one at a time, each during a three-week time period. This class will meet April 13 - May 3, from 1:10 pm to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
Students interested in the program should contact Lisa Dierker, ldierker@wesleyan.edu. Selected students will be notified directly and will not need to participate in the pre-registration system. |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
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