2. Dance history is the study ofDance history is the study of
4 basic areas :4 basic areas :
Design and practice of the dance itselfDesign and practice of the dance itself
Dancers and other artistsDancers and other artists
Dance worksDance works
Dance literatureDance literature
Can you give an example of each area?Can you give an example of each area?
3. We study dance in theWe study dance in the contextcontext of aof a
particular place & time period-particular place & time period-
Visual arts
Theatrical
elements
Music
Society
Culture
History
Geography
Performance
setting
Dance
All of
these
factors are
connecting
and
interacting
4. What do you learn about
dance in the French courts
of 17th
-18th
century
France?
5. To study Native American
dance we must consider
the context of when and
where the dances occur.
What do you learn about
these dances from the
images?
6. Primary and Secondary SourcesPrimary and Secondary Sources
((resources for studying dance history & researching dance)resources for studying dance history & researching dance)
PrimaryPrimary (first hand accounts)(first hand accounts)
autobiography, eyewitness, dairies,autobiography, eyewitness, dairies,
choreography notes by thechoreography notes by the
choreographerchoreographer
SecondarySecondary (synthesis of primary sources)(synthesis of primary sources)
-the writings of researchers and scholars-the writings of researchers and scholars
which includes their interpretations,which includes their interpretations,
opinions, and points of view of primaryopinions, and points of view of primary
sourcessources
7. Historical FrameworksHistorical Frameworks
Historians divide history into:Historians divide history into:
millenniums (1000),millenniums (1000),
centuries (100),centuries (100),
decades (10),decades (10),
periods or eras- which can span many years orperiods or eras- which can span many years or
even centuries (i.e. Romantic Era)even centuries (i.e. Romantic Era)
BC - Before Christ, or BCE before Common Era-BC - Before Christ, or BCE before Common Era-
years counted backwardsyears counted backwards
AD –anno Domini (“the year of our lord”) or CEAD –anno Domini (“the year of our lord”) or CE
-Common Era- years counted forward-Common Era- years counted forward
8. Ancient Civilizations (4000BC-476AD)
Early
Medieval (500–1400)
Renaissance (1400–1600)
Baroque (1600–1760)
Common practice
Baroque (1600–1760)
Classical (1750–1830)
Romantic (1815–1910)
Modern and contemporary
20th century (1900–2000)
Contemporary (1975–present)
21st century (2000–present)
Periods in European art:Periods in European art:
9. What are the tools forWhat are the tools for
recording dances fromrecording dances from
the past and present?the past and present?
10. Notes on ChoreographyNotes on Choreography
DiariesDiaries
Dance manuals (i.e. “How to manuals”Dance manuals (i.e. “How to manuals”
during the Renaissance Period)during the Renaissance Period)
Choreographic notes on a dance by theChoreographic notes on a dance by the
choreographerchoreographer
Dance NotationDance Notation
Written reviews by dance criticsWritten reviews by dance critics
17. Oral TraditionOral Tradition
Dances are passed down from one generation to the nextDances are passed down from one generation to the next
Artist and teachers teach dances to their studentsArtist and teachers teach dances to their students
who in turn teach their studentswho in turn teach their students
Principal dancers coach other dancers to interpretPrincipal dancers coach other dancers to interpret
a role (i.e. the role of Giselle in ballet)a role (i.e. the role of Giselle in ballet)
Social and Folk dances (i.e. Western two-step orSocial and Folk dances (i.e. Western two-step or
a Jewish wedding dance) is taught informally ata Jewish wedding dance) is taught informally at
gatherings from one generation to the next)gatherings from one generation to the next)
Archives of written accounts or oral recordings ofArchives of written accounts or oral recordings of
dance and performing experiencesdance and performing experiences
19. Accessing Dance Through Other ArtsAccessing Dance Through Other Arts
Written musical scoreWritten musical score
Set designsSet designs
Costume designsCostume designs
Lighting designsLighting designs
Dance spacesDance spaces
Visual arts- studying an art period inVisual arts- studying an art period in
relationship to the dance during thatrelationship to the dance during that
period (i.e. Baroque Period in art &period (i.e. Baroque Period in art &
ballet)ballet)
