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The Routledge Dance Studies Reader: A Comprehensive Guide to the Field of Dance Studies

Jeffrey Cox

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The Routledge Dance Studies Reader is a comprehensive guide to the field of dance studies. It provides a historical overview of the discipline, as well as an in-depth look at the different theoretical and methodological approaches used in dance research. The reader also includes a wide range of essays on specific dance topics, from ballet to hip hop.

The Routledge Dance Studies Reader

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	521 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	337 pages

A Historical Overview of Dance Studies

The study of dance as an academic discipline is a relatively new field, with the first university-level dance programs being established in the early 20th century. However, the roots of dance studies can be traced back to the 18th century, when scholars began to write about the history and aesthetics of dance. In the 19th century, dance notation systems were developed, which allowed for the precise recording and analysis of dance movements.

In the early 20th century, the field of dance studies began to take shape, with the establishment of the first university-level dance programs and the publication of the first scholarly journals on dance. In the mid-20th century, the field of dance studies was further developed by the work of scholars such as Rudolf Laban, Margaret Mead, and Merce Cunningham. These scholars helped to establish the theoretical and methodological foundations of the discipline.

Theoretical and Methodological Approaches in Dance Studies

There are a wide range of theoretical and methodological approaches used in dance research. These approaches can be broadly divided into two categories:

Qualitative approaches focus on the subjective experience of dance, and use methods such as ethnography, observation, and interviews.
Quantitative approaches focus on the objective measurement of dance, and use methods such as motion analysis and electromyography.

The choice of theoretical and methodological approach in dance research depends on the specific research question being asked. For example, a researcher who is interested in understanding the subjective experience of dancers might use a qualitative approach, such as ethnography. A researcher who is interested in understanding the biomechanics of dance might use a quantitative approach, such as motion analysis.

Essays on Specific Dance Topics

The Routledge Dance Studies Reader includes a wide range of essays on specific dance topics. These essays cover a wide range of topics, including:

The history of ballet
The development of modern dance
The aesthetics of hip hop
The role of dance in education
The use of dance in therapy

These essays provide a comprehensive overview of the field of dance studies, and offer insights into the different ways that dance can be studied and understood.

The Routledge Dance Studies Reader is an essential resource for anyone interested in the field of dance studies. It provides a comprehensive overview of the discipline, as well as an in-depth look at the different theoretical and methodological approaches used in dance research. The reader also includes a wide range of essays on specific dance topics, from ballet to hip hop. This makes it an ideal resource for students, scholars, and anyone else who is interested in learning more about the field of dance studies.

The Routledge Dance Studies Reader

5 out of 5