BY UTSHAA BASU ‘25
One of the more compelling offerings in this block has been DA341: Encountering Global Dance. Taught by Professor Pallavi Sriram, the Assistant Professor of Dance Studies, the course centers the study of dance works from both the US and international contexts, focusing on questions around forms and aesthetics.
According to student Avery Carrington, 24’, the course follows a largely discussion- based format, with certain Fridays dedicated to dance and movement time. Carrington believes this time to be vital, as it helps him connect with his classmates, the professor and the class content. He also attests to the transformative effect of this class on peer dynamics, saying: “We were all very awkward until we had more vulnerable and authentic moments through dance.”
Carrington also speaks to the global nature of the class, stating: “The professor led the class with the intention of upholding the global dance framework,” with the class covering dance in areas of Asia, Americas, Europe, Africa, “just like, all over the world.” He proceeds to compare DA341 to other courses he has taken: “I have found myself in classes where the name is filled with buzzwords or words that didn’t really end up applying to how the class went. In ‘Encountering Global Dance’, we actually engage with global dance.” Reign Commodore, 24’, says, “Sometimes when you take a global class, it focuses on the west.” They find the global nature of the class “very engaging and uplifting.”
Furthermore, Abby Le, 25’, a Vietnamese student, speaks to the difference in classroom culture under a professor with an international background: “Pallavi understands that we come from different backgrounds, and it is crucial to acknowledge and embrace the different/unique perspectives each of us bring into the discussion.” Abby then expands on the class content, stating that she has learnt a lot more than “just analyzing dance work”, attributing this to the detailed discussions around “race, cultures, and postcolonial studies.”
When asked about how this class impacted him, Carrington admits that it prompted him to pick up a second minor in dance, in lieu of dropping his creative writing major. “This class is very much attuned to how I feel as a person, and now I want to pursue dance and movement as a significant part of my life,” says Carrington. He highly encourages that everybody take a class with Professor Sriram.
