Intermediate

Prior to enrolling in courses at this language level, students must have completed or tested out of a minimum of two semesters (or three quarters) of college-level Spanish at their home university in the U.S.

Advanced

Prior to enrolling in courses at this language level, students must have completed or tested out of a minimum of four semesters (or six quarters) of college-level Spanish at their home university in the U.S.

DESCRIPTION

This class is an introduction to the socio-cultural theories that explain the evolution and development of Dominican musical folklore, especially the merengue. This program develops the artistic-cultural aspects and the general Dominican expressions: folkloric dances, stories, and music. At the same time, it also treats the basic teaching of typical Dominican dances and other Caribbean dances.

OBJECTIVES

1. To develop artistic creativity among students.
2. To develop a good physical-cultural disciplinary condition in the respective categories.

CONTENTS

The class is divided into theoretical and the practical components.

I. THEORETICAL CONTENT

1. To describe the principal fundamentals of Dominican folklore, its development and its evolution.
2. To describe the history and evolution of the merengue.

II. PRACTICAL CONTENT

1. Choreography of steps in order to become proficient with the rhythm of merengue.
2. Choreography in pairs for merengue, if the groups is fine with dancing in pairs.
3. Choreography for salsa.

EVALUATION

First partial 25%
Second partial 25%
Third partial 20%
Exam (merengue) 10%
Exam (salsa) 20%

BIBLIOGRAPHY (for consultation)

1. "Visión Panorámica del Folklore Dominicano" by Mary Luz Gómez, PUCMM, Stgo.
2. "El Merengue-Música Nacional" by Mary Luz Gómez, PUCMM, Stgo.