CTSJ 279 Embodied Histories of the African Diaspora

Examination of complex histories and politics of the African Diaspora via dance practices and traditions. Emphasis is upon the way race and gender have been variously expressed, exploited, hidden, and revealed in these settings. Case studies include: Haitian Vodou, Brazilian Capoeira, Jook, and hip hop in the United States. The class includes a significant practical component: students need not be dancers but should be prepared to try dancing during class time. Satisfies the experiential learning requirement for the Critical Theory and Social Justice major. Emphasis topic: Critical Race Studies, Postcolonial Theory, or Queer Studies.