IB Group 6 Dance World Dance Studies Cultural and historical exploration

What This Is and Why It Matters for IB

World Dance Studies is a cultural and historical exploration of dance practices from around the world. It appears in the Dance syllabus, specifically in the IA (Internal Assessment) and EE (Extended Essay). Students often get this wrong by failing to contextualize dance practices within their cultural and historical contexts. ⚠️ This can lead to losing marks on IA and EE, and misunderstanding the significance of dance in different cultures.

Where It Appears in the IB Syllabus

Dance syllabus, Internal Assessment (IA) and Extended Essay (EE), specifically in the Cultural and Historical Contexts section.

Key Command Terms

• Analyze: Break down dance practices into their component parts to understand their significance.
• Evaluate: Assess the value of dance practices in different cultural and historical contexts.
• Discuss: Explore the relationships between dance practices and their cultural and historical contexts.

Step-by-Step Understanding

1. Recall the main dance practices from around the world (e.g., Kathak, Azonto, Capoeira).
2. Understand the cultural and historical contexts in which these practices emerged.
3. Analyze the relationships between dance practices and their cultural and historical contexts.
4. Evaluate the significance of dance practices in different cultural and historical contexts.
5. Discuss the implications of dance practices for our understanding of different cultures.

⚠️ Avoid oversimplifying complex cultural and historical contexts.

Assessment Criteria Connection

Real Student Mistakes

Example 1

Student: "Kathak is a traditional Indian dance practice that originated in the 16th century." Why it lost marks: The student failed to contextualize Kathak within its cultural and historical context.
Correct approach: "Kathak is a traditional Indian dance practice that emerged in the 16th century as a fusion of Hindu and Muslim traditions."

Example 2

Student: "Azonto is a modern dance practice that originated in Ghana." Why it lost marks: The student failed to analyze the relationships between Azonto and its cultural and historical context.
Correct approach: "Azonto is a modern dance practice that emerged in Ghana in the 2010s as a fusion of traditional and contemporary dance styles, reflecting the country's cultural and historical context."

Exam Technique (Paper-specific)

• Timing allocation: Allocate 30 minutes for the IA and 1 hour for the EE.
• Structuring a response: Use an essay outline to organize your ideas for the IA and EE.
• Linking to command terms: Use command terms to guide your analysis and evaluation of dance practices.

Internal Assessment / Extended Essay Relevance

Apply World Dance Studies to your IA and EE by: - Formulating a research question that explores the cultural and historical contexts of a dance practice.
- Collecting and analyzing data on the relationships between dance practices and their cultural and historical contexts.
- Reflecting on the implications of dance practices for our understanding of different cultures.

TOK Connections (if applicable)

World Dance Studies connects to Ways of Knowing (e.g., Emotive, Sensory) and Areas of Knowledge (e.g., Human Sciences, Arts).

Quick Check (Self-Assessment Questions)

1. What is the significance of dance practices in different cultural and historical contexts? Model answer:
2. Dance practices reflect the cultural and historical contexts in which they emerged.
3. They provide insights into the values and beliefs of different cultures.
4. How do dance practices relate to their cultural and historical contexts? Model answer:
5. Dance practices are shaped by their cultural and historical contexts.
6. They reflect the social, economic, and political conditions of different cultures.
7. What are the implications of dance practices for our understanding of different cultures? Model answer:
8. Dance practices provide insights into the values and beliefs of different cultures.
9. They challenge our assumptions about different cultures and promote cultural understanding.

Revision Card (60-Second Summary)

• World Dance Studies explores dance practices from around the world.
• Dance practices reflect the cultural and historical contexts in which they emerged.
• Analyze and evaluate dance practices to understand their significance.
• Discuss the implications of dance practices for our understanding of different cultures.
• Cultural and Historical Contexts are essential for understanding dance practices.
• Command terms guide analysis and evaluation of dance practices.
• IA and EE require clear and focused research questions and effective analysis and evaluation.

If You Get Stuck

• Review the main dance practices from around the world.
• Ask your teacher for guidance on the IA and EE.
• Approach exam questions by using command terms to guide your analysis and evaluation.

Related IB Topics

• Cultural and Historical Contexts (related to IA and EE)
• Dance Styles and Techniques (related to IA and EE)
• Globalization and Dance (related to IA and EE)