- You will learn to situate dance practices within worldwide economies and postcolonial contexts.
- An impressive national and global reputation which attracts students and dance artists from all over the world.
- Collaborate and study with world-leading researchers in the field of anthropology of dance.
- 94% of our research is rated world-leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2014).
- Roehampton is rated No. 1 for dance research in the UK (Research Excellence Framework 2014).
Summary
Gain experience of different cultural approaches to dance, and how it helps define our humanity.
Explore dance as cultural practice from the perspectives of those involved as dancers, dance makers, teachers and audience members. By studying these perspectives, you will learn how different people around the world understand dance and how dance influences their value systems.
MA Dance Anthropology investigates dance from a non-Eurocentric perspective, placing the practices and values of the dancers into sociocultural and comparative understanding. At the heart of the programme is a focus upon ethnographic perspectives in dance to gain firsthand experience of different cultural approaches to dance practice. You will interpret your findings from the field in light of contemporary debates in dance anthropology.
The course is of particular interest to those who wish to study non-Western, folk, social or ritual dance practices, but the approach can be applied to ballet or Western theatre dance, too. This course provides a way to contextualise dance practice and deepen your understanding of dance and specific practices that help define our humanity.
The Department is home to the internationally recognised Centre for Dance Research, which foregrounds the research of dance as cultural and artistic expression as theatre performance and beyond. Through seminars, forums and conferences involving staff and international invited guests, the centre supports a compelling research culture.
We also have excellent links with dance companies and creative organisations. In easy reach of London's vibrant dance scene, the campus has superb studios and a state-of-the-art theatre for dance students.
Content
The learning and teaching methods on the MA Dance Anthropology programme are designed to provide a range of opportunities for students to be introduced to new ideas and topics, to enhance understanding and to hone critical thinking and research skills.
You will take the compulsory research methods module Ways of Knowing and one compulsory programme core module. There is flexibility built into the programme for you to take modules that suit your interests.
In Ways of Knowing, a module shared with students of all dance postgraduate taught programmes, you will be introduced to research methods, including ethnography, dance analysis and practice-as-research.
In Anthropology of Dance, you will be introduced to the multifaceted history of the anthropology of dance so that you experience what ethnographic fieldwork is all about.
Dissertation is an individually tutored module that allows you to delve deeply into a research project that reflects your interests and experience in dance.
Modules
Research methods module
Ways of Knowing
Programme core module
Anthropology of Dance
Optional modules
Project
Music and Dance
The Performance of Heritage: Dance in Museums, Galleries and Historic Sites
Choreographic Practice
Classicism and Power
Mediated Choreography
People Moving, People Dancing
Dance Practice
Independent Research module (MA students)
Dissertation
Compulsory and Required modules
Compulsory and/or required modules may change when we review and update programmes. Above is a list of modules offered this academic year.
Optional modules
Optional modules, when offered as part of a programme, may vary from year to year and are subject to viability.
Careers
Graduates' career options are broadened to include roles such as a community dance practitioner, producer and curator of arts projects, teacher, or to continue into further study as an MPhil or PhD student.
Testimonial
‘This degree allowed me to combine my academic and artistic passions and to work closely with leaders in the field of Dance Anthropology in the culturally rich city of London’.
Kathryn McLane
Dance Anthropology
Life at Roehampton
At Roehampton, we can offer all new students the opportunity to live in accommodation on our beautiful parkland campus, including affordable and high-end options.
We offer scholarships, provide hardship funding and help you find advice on managing your finances while you study.
We provide plenty of opportunities for you to get involved, through volunteering, playing sport or music, or joining one of our many active student societies.