Dance Teaching Philosophies
Dance Facilitation Essay
Discuss the meanings of authoritarianism and anti-authoritarianism in practices of dance teaching. Make specific reference to examples from practice and from the literature. Discuss ways of working that might be appropriate to working with a group of GCSE students and prepare a lesson plan for a specific session with GCSE students.
On an online dictionary the definition for authoritarianism is;
"Characterized by or favoring absolute obedience to authority, as against individual freedom" (http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=authoritarianism)
Authoritarianism in the dance studio is generally structured with the teacher taking a very dictatorial role with the students being submissive, taking orders without question or objection. The method teaches by close observation, direct criticism and giving example. The students will be spread around the room all facing to the teacher and the mirror, all attempting to create the shapes in one technique or another. This is commonly known as the traditional method of dance facilitation.
There are many positives that can be taken from this method of educating. I have experienced some of these, as has Stinson in "Dance, Power and Difference" who writes when speaking of her own time in traditional dance education;
"I spent many hoursÂ…finding satisfaction in my growing strength, flexibility, control and skill." (Page 27)
I have experienced and I believe for many there is a great feeling of achievement to be found in traditional dance training. This process also requires a long attention span and teaches you self-discipline to keep this.
"The model for traditional dance pedagogy seems to be the authoritarian father in an individualistic world of every man for himself." (Stinson Pg 27)
This statement made by Stinson I think identifies where we begin to see the negatives...
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