Write a formal essay that reacts to the above statement by drawing on the history, trajectory, practices and legacies of prominent contributors and artists of Jazz or Tap dance in America.

Is Jazz an American Dance Form?

Discuss Jazz or Tap Dance as an “American” Art form.

Assignment

Write a formal essay that reacts to the above statement by drawing on the history, trajectory, practices and legacies of prominent contributors and artists of Jazz or Tap dance in America.

*Choose either Jazz or Tap to focus your essay on – NOT BOTH.

 

Objectives

To research and understand the historical origins and trajectory of Jazz or Tap dance in America.

To discuss how Jazz or Tap dance is descendant from African dance traditions.

To illustrate and support your findings you may want to consider:

Discussing the historical roots of specific stylistic characteristics of Jazz or Tap dance that we know today.

Identifying influential artists in the field and discuss how their contributions or careers shaped the development of Jazz or Tap dance in America.

 

Format

Essays should be approx. 1250 words or 4-5 pages.

12-point font, 1 inch margins, and double-spaced paragraphs.

Your essay must have a title, formal heading with name and date, and separate bibliography attached at the end.

 

Referencing

To support your statements and arguments you will need to make use of and refer to existing literature and research material on your subjects. In-text referencing using APA or MLA 8 style for citations and a separate bibliography attached at the end of your essay are required elements of this assignment.

Please refer to the Additional Resources for each lecture posted to canvas for sources available through ECU library. Feel free to locate and reference sources I have not provided. If you have any doubts about your resources please email me.