Following the model of artist-anthropologists & the discipline of dance ethnography, this Ethnographic Encounters project is designed for students to have a chance to explore and become mini-experts on a cultural dance form that they are most interested in. For this project, students will be tasked with researching a cultural dance form of their choice & the community(ies) that dance form stems out of. As a culmination of their research, students will create a final paper that shares their research findings and critical reflections.
I chose the Yosakoi – Japanese dance. This final paper should include, but is not limited to, the following elements:
➢ Historical/Social-Political Background (providing information on the history of the dance form and/or community studied, as well as context on the dance form itself)
➢ Identity (providing deep reflection on the student-researcher’s individual identity, how they relate to the communities they studied, & what their research has taught them about themselves)
In this part of the previous presentation, to answer the question who am I and, the culture I belong to, I stated the idea roughly as follows: “Culture and Identity: Originating from Vietnam, a country in Southeast Asia known for its rich history and cultural variety. My identity is shaped by a blend of indigenous practices and cultural influences from interactions with various cultures over the centuries, like the Chinese and French cultures. These elements, borne out of historical conflicts and collaborations, provided a strong base for me to shape my worldview, aesthetics, and understanding of how dance appears in various societies. It has allowed me to construct a perspective that embraces new experiences with respect, curiosity, and a keen desire to learn, blending my Vietnamese heritage with diverse global cultural expressions. As a Vietnamese cultural being, my exploration of Yosakoi is a journey towards bridging my own rich traditions with the diverse expressions of joy, resilience, and community found in dance worldwide. Through this experience, I engage with the world, eager to both share my own cultural stories and absorb those of others, celebrating the differences and similarities that connect us all.”
➢ Critical Reflection (providing student’s critical reflection on overall research; including, but not limited to social-political contexts encountered, critique/commentary on research sources, etc.)
