Examination arrangement

Course content

The aim of this module is to assist students in planning and undertaking the initial phases of dissertation work. They will learn about processes of choosing a topic, of defining an ethnographic field and of delimiting research questions which will orient their perspective throughout the dissertation. They will practice diverse methodologies suitable for their research.

They will work on researching relevant secondary sources including visual and other material as well as literature on the theme and identify the methodological and theoretical approaches which seem most appropriate. They will write a methodological plan for their dissertation. They will put together a bibliography, methods, topics and potential research questions as well as dance material that they aim to study.

Learning outcome

Students who successfully complete this module will have acquired:

Knowledge:

• An understanding of the initial phases in writing a dissertation
• Knowledge about main topics in dance studies used for research in dissertations

Skills:

• An experience in researching, selecting and organising theoretical and methodological literature
• An experience in researching a variety of dance material in collections and on the web
• An experience of applying methodologies from other courses on a chosen dance material
• An experience in critically evaluating source material and theoretical literature.

Learning methods and activities

Seminars and supervised practical and methodological exercises in small groups. Minimum required participation/attendance in class for Choreomundus students: At least 70%.

Further on evaluation

The students will produce a methodological and theoretical plan for their dissertation which includes:

- Definition and description of dissertation topics and research questions

- Discussion of potential theoretical perspectives and methodologies

- Critical analysis and evaluation of a set of empirical material (films, descriptions etc.) as closely connected to the research topics as possible

- A bibliography of at least 20 items

- The student will present the dissertation project for their fellow students in the form of a 20 minute illustrated oral presentation.

- The oral presentation of the plan will adjust the final grade.

Specific conditions

Required previous knowledge

Requires admission to Choreomundus - International Master in Dance Knowledge, Practice, and Heritage

Course materials

Ammann, Raymond (1997) Kanak Dance and Music: Ceremonial and Intimate Peformance of the Melanesians of New Caledonia, Historical and Actual, New Caledonia: Agence De Developpement De La Culture Kanak.

Lunenburg, Frederick C. (2008) Writing a Successful Thesis or Dissertation: Tips and Strategies for Students in the Social and Behavioral Sciences, ed. Beverly J. Irby. Thousand Oaks, Cal.: Corwin Press.

Kibirige, Ronald; Karoblis, Gediminas; Nannyonga-Tamusura, Sylvia. (2020) Dancing Reonciliation and Reintegration: Lamokkowang and Dance-Musicking in the Oguda-Atel Post-war Communities of Northen Uganda. 2020. PhD Dissertation. NTNU.

Medina, Juan F. Miranda. Semiotics applied to the stepdance contrapunto de zapateo. Fieldwork in Lima, Peru. Choreomundus MA Dissertation.

Nannyonga-Tamusuza, Sylvia A. (2001) Baakisimba: Music, Dance, and Gender of the Baganda People of Uganda. Ph.D. diss., [S.A. Nannyonga-Tamusuza].

Quigley, Colin (1985) Close to the Floor: Folk Dance in Newfoundland. St. John's: Memorial University of Newfoundland.