BALLE 3110 - The Frocks, the Trocks, and the Dancing Poodles: Conventions and Traditions of Classical Ballet

This course aims to make sense of the traditions and conventions of classical ballet by explaining the history of its development and placing it within the broader historical context of Europe's political, socioeconomic, and cultural development. Students will learn the basics of ballet's terminology, meet its eccentric stars, watch some of the jewels of classical repertoire, discover ballet's catchy tunes, learn of conventions of attending a ballet performance today, attend live performance by Utah Ballet and Ballet West, become familiar with basic structures of choreography, enjoy chatting with professional dancers, etc. The course is richly illustrated with recorded material and is equally geared towards dance enthusiasts and utter skeptics.