Dance can be a both a catalyst for and evidence of historical changes. In this interactive digital textbook, dance is presented as a “lead” for change as well as the “follow”, reflecting cultural changes. Extensive embedded videos, dance images, and visual timelines present an engaging historical experience while the “next step” assignments and end-of-chapter quizzes provide integrated assessment tools. The digital textbook captures evidence of prehistoric dance through 21st century dance and the content is frequently updated to reflect current trends, artistic movements, and recent events such as Black Lives Matter and the COVID pandemic.
Alyson Cartagena, EdD directs the Dance Program at Rio Hondo College. Dr. Cartagena’s training includes the American Dance Festival, International Ballet Competition, Ballet Aspen/Ballet West, Harvard University, two consecutive scholarships to the Joffrey Ballet, Florida State University (BFA in Dance), the University of California, Irvine (MFA in Dance: Choreographic Emphasis), and Brandman University (EdD). She is also certified in Integrated Movement Studies from Loyola Marymount University. Cartagena danced and toured professionally with Contemporary Dance/Fort Worth (TX) for four years and Loretta Livingston and Dancers (CA) for ten years.
Chapter 1: An Introduction to Dance
Chapter 2: BESS
Chapter 3: Intent and Genres in Dance
Chapter 4: Choreography and Performance
Chapter 5: Prehistoric and Ancient Dance
Chapter 6: The Early Middle Ages and High Middle Ages
Chapter 7: Late Middle Ages: Renaissance
Chapter 8: Research Paper
Chapter 9: Midterm Review and Exam
Chapter 10: 17th-Century Dance
Chapter 11: Eighteenth Century Dance
Chapter 12: Nineteenth Century
Chapter 13: Twentieth Century
Chapter 14: Twenty-First Century