A Reflection of This Assignment and Semester

Dear Olivia,

            This class has opened my eyes to many different cultures, opinions, and emotions. The different techniques you used to provide our class with information was innovative and effective. Every class was slightly different, at the very least, from the previous one. It was a breath of fresh air to actually wonder what class was going to be like on a particular day. Thus far, I haven’t had a course instructor that has used so many different ways to convey information to the students. It wasn’t always easy, but I appreciated the challenge. Learning course material is usually redundant and it becomes hard for me to focus, but this class kept me intrigued due to it’s variety. Through the use of presentations, reading assignments, free-writing, and cultural studies, this semester has pushed me to grow not only as a writer, but as a person.

            For me, every high school English class was the same. We read fifty pages of a critically acclaimed novel a night and then went to class to discuss and analyze what was read. After the novel was finished, we would write a five to seven page essay analyzing the rhetoric used. I was indeed very comfortable with this routine because it was what I had always known. Every time we were given a “new” assignment, the goal was never a surprise. I knew what was required. The only aspect that changed from paper to paper was the novel’s title and author. It was redundant and predictable. This semester, however, knocked me out of my comfort zone, in a good way. Every class period and assignment was different, which was a nice change of pace. Instead of using a book for analysis, we used a lot of different mediums: our life experiences, a documentary, and an identity stereotype. Instead of analyzing author’s writing techniques, we analyzed issues with relevance to our own lives and cultures. I was not used to this approach, but as we continued to practice it I began to appreciate it. I was given the opportunity to take a step back and look at issues in a different light. During this class, I was able to assess my own identity and think about what makes me who I am.

            Not one essay in this class was written the same way; there was no formula in which we were to write. The topics were broad, but specific enough to find a topic to write about. For me, the first was written using anecdotes about my childhood dancing. Rhetorical analysis of a documentary, the second assignment, was not something I’ve ever done before, but I learned much about visual rhetoric. Though challenging, our latest assignment taught me the most; it contained so many components in one. I honestly didn’t think I would be able to write it, but I actually did. It was pure satisfaction when I was finished with it. The challenge was worth it because now I know that I’m capable of pushing myself, with your help of course.

            This class has also contributed to my growth as a person. Every assignment made me take another look at the lives of others and my own life. The reading assignments to be read for class gave me a chance to open my eyes to other cultures, religions, and genders. I was able to hear so many different opinions from the authors as well as my classmates. Ultimately, this has made me more knowledgeable about issues that surround not only me, but others. Listening to my classmates present their identity stereotypes I was really surprised how much more I have in common with some of them than I realized. To take a look into each and every one of their lives was personally significant. The topics written about were so diverse, but there were underlying factors we all had in common; it was interesting and beneficial to see a little piece of every person’s life in the classroom.

            Personally, writing two different papers about my identity has really influenced me. I was never really able to admit my mistake of quitting dance before I wrote the first paper. After it was written I felt better knowing that I had made a mistake. It never really dawned on me how much I wish I could go back until I wrote that paper. I’ve thought a lot more about my future plans since writing it. It opened my eyes to all of the possibilities I have. The final research paper made me appreciate my identity as a dancer even more. After learning so much and viewing so many different opinions, I am much prouder to call myself a dancer. The writing of the research paper did not abolish the stereotypes of dancers, but it did help me to see that they are relatively insignificant. Now that I have researched and studied the origins and premises behind the stereotypes, I find them less of a struggle to deal with and overcome.

            Throughout this course, I have opened my eyes to many different aspects of life. I am more comfortable with my writing skills across many different assignments. It’s easier for me to place my self in other’s shoes and see issues from many different perspectives. My future plans are a little bit clearer to me now. I am more proud than ever to identify myself as a dancer. Thank you for a semester full of insight and learning. I will forever be appreciative of the knowledge I’ve taken away from this class.

Sincerely,

Allie Masse

Athletes and Dancers: Are they really so different?

We've all heard people say that dance isn't a sport, but why? Many studies have been done to test the similarities  between traditional athletes and dancers. One study took dancers and athletes and ran them through a series of different competitions, including hurdles, the long-jump, and sprints. Three out of four times the dancers won the competition. Another studied the physiological similarities of the two groups. The results showed that dance is "similar to sports such as soccer and tennis, in which explosive bursts of exercise are followed by moments requiring precision and skill”. 

In addition to these similarities, both can benefit from the other's principles. Lynn Swann of the NFL took dance classes for years and found it helpful to his coordination, balance, and agility. We also see many football players on shows like "Dancing with the Stars". Dancers can also benefit from sports training, like aerobics and weight-lifting.

With all of this in mind, what really makes dancers so different from athletes? Not only are we athletic, we are also artistic. it takes a lot to have a good balance of both thus making dance "the most beautiful sport in the world".

Dionysus: Father of Provocative Dance?

While researching, I came across Dionysus, the Greek God of mystery, wine, and intoxication. In one of the myths, female-followers of Dionysus called Maenads, would become erratic is his presence. They would lose all self-control and become intoxicated by the wine provided by Dionysus. As a result the Maenads began to dance in a sexual manner causing, to put it simply, a mass orgy. In addition to the orgy, they would become violent and kill animals, children, and men.
It is said that this is, perhaps, the beginning of provocative dance. Under the influence of wine and male-attention, these women would throw their inhibitions to the wind and become sexually deviant. Because of this myth, dance is associated with the loss of self-control and a mass orgy. Maybe it's possible that with Dionysus and the Maenads, dancers began to be stereotyped for being promiscuous.

Pure Talent Over Shadowed By Provocative Movements

Click the link to watch the video.

http://youtu.be/ir8BO4-7DkM

These little girls are extremely talented. Their technique is better than a lot of the people I dance with now, and they're seven. I'm the first to admit that the dance moves and outfits were a little too risqué. They were gyrating and grinding like crazy. Obviously, no parent wants to see their seven year old daughter dancing as if she was in a Lil' Wayne music video. These girls were dancing out of innocence; they had no idea that what they were doing could be considered ostentatious. When they watched Beyonce's music video they probably weren't thinking, "I want to look just as sexy as those girls". They were probably thinking, "Wow, I want to dance just like those girls and be famous". We can't blame children and teenagers for copying what they see all over the media. Music videos, advertisements, news stories, and movies are filled with half-naked girls shaking their back sides at the camera and in front of someone else's face, not to mention rolling around in bed and calling it "dancing".

Freak Dancing?

Take a second and Google "freak dancing" under the Images section. This is the first picture that shows up under the search. Dictionary.com defines dancing as: verb (used without object) 1. to move one's feet or body, or both, rhythmically in a pattern of steps, especially to the accompaniment of music. This would be considered dancing, I suppose. But is it really? Can we really classify this groping and rubbing of body parts together as dancing? If taken literally, the definition describes this picture. Some would consider dance an art. This is not art. Not even close. 
This is typical of high school dance; this is literally what happens at the Homecoming "Dance". When high school students hear the word "dance" something along these lines might be the first thing they think of. What a shame. The word "dance" should make one think of grace, poise, beats, rhythm, and beauty; not dry humping.