Module 7: Hip Hop and Other Current Trends in Dance

Image Attribution "B-boy breakdancing," CC-BY-SA 2.0 by E. Başak June 11 2006, Wikimedia Commons

This module includes two topics: Hip-Hop and Current Trends in Dance. 

Hip-Hop is an umbrella term that includes several dance styles that are highly energetic and athletic. Hip-hop dance forms began as social dances that expanded to respond to socioeconomic conditions faced by marginalized African-American and Latinx youth in inner cities. These dance styles hold the meaning and values of the community, resulting in a cultural movement that gained widespread attention through media, leading to its global popularity today.

Dance in the 21st century is rapidly changing and continues to adapt in response to new circumstances in our social, political, and economic situations. Advances in technology are pushing the boundaries of dance in the dance field, dance as competition has become a lucrative business attracting dancers of all backgrounds, the health industry has embraced dance to promote individual’s overall well-being, and national and global dance initiatives have connected people to the broader community, and dance professionals seek to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the dance field. 

• Demonstrate a culturally informed dance aesthetic.
  
• Examine the origins of Hip-Hip
• Analyze the Hip-Hop cultural elements with pop culture
• Identify influential Hip-Hop artists
• Discuss current trends in dance
• Analyze cultural elements in current dance trends
• Identify influential multimedia artists
  

To achieve these objectives:

1. Read the Module 7 Introduction.
   
2. Read and view the materials in Ch. 7 and Ch. 8 So You Think You Know Dance.
   
3. Complete the assignments.

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