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27. Jazz Dance as a Gateway to Community Engagement
- University Press of Florida
- Chapter
- Additional Information
27 Jazz Dance as a Gateway to Community Engagement Lynnette Young Overby Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do. —Goethe Students enrolled in jazz dance will gain new knowledge, skills, and techniques designed to promote their continuing development as dancers and as human beings. Their knowledge of African and African-American contributions to United States history and to dance in general will be explored through the jazz dance curriculum. Additionally, students can enhance their traditional classroom experiences through community engagement. Community engagement is a teaching tool that provides an additional route to the development of life skills, including empathy and community knowledge. Moreover, extending student knowledge into a community setting will enable students to provide opportunities for individuals who may not otherwise have access to dance classes. For example, according to a 2012 report filed by the National Center for Education Statistics, only 3 percent of elementary schools offered dance instruction.1 In essence, everyone wins when community engagement becomes a part of the educational process. Dancers share their knowledge in after-school programs, in university-sponsored community dance programs both on and off campus, and through choreography. Jazz dance in the community also opens possibilities for a future career as a teaching artist. In this chapter, 217 examples of community engagement projects that can be implemented in and beyond undergraduate jazz dance courses will be provided along with specific guidelines for successful campus community endeavors. The information in this chapter will provide undergraduate jazz dance students with strategies for achieving historical, technical, and creative educational outcomes by applying their knowledge in a real-world setting. Simultaneously, they will provide community partners with jazz dance knowledge and skills. Together, both students and the community partners will begin to appreciate the benefits of jazz dance for the larger community. What Is Community Engagement? Community engagement has become an important mission of colleges and universities as they have attempted to make meaningful connections between academic goals and community needs. Through service learning, community-based research and volunteerism, students, faculty, and community partners obtain knowledge and solve problems together. Benefits to Students • Increase understanding of the class topic • Gain hands-on experience Figure 27.1. College student Saza Dimmick teaches a jazz dance class, 2011. Photo by Mila Parrish. By permission of Lynnette Overby. 218 · Lynnette Young Overby [3.215.183.194] Project MUSE (2024-03-28 12:06 GMT) • Explore or cement values and beliefs • Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills • Increase understanding of diverse cultures and communities • Learn more about social issues and their root causes • Improve ability to handle ambiguity and be open to change; become more flexible • Develop or enhance skills in communication, collaboration, and leadership • Test out skills, interests, and values in a potential career path, or learn more about a field of interest • Connect with professionals and community members • Develop a professional network of people to help with future internships or jobs • Achieve the satisfaction of public service or civic participation • Increased civic responsibility Benefits to Faculty • Encourage interactive teaching methods and reciprocal learning between students and faculty • Adds new insights and dimensions to class discussions • Lead to new avenues for research and publication • Promote students’active learning; engage students with different learning styles • Develop students’civic and leadership skills • Boost course enrollment by attracting highly motivated and engaged students • Provide networking opportunities with engaged faculty in other disciplines • Foster relationships between faculty and community organizations, which can open other opportunities for collaborative work • Provide firsthand knowledge of community issues; provide opportunities to be more involved in community issues Benefits to the Community • Add additional human resources needed to achieve organizational goals • Injects new energy, enthusiasm, and perspectives into the organization’s work • Grow the organization’s volunteer pool: service-learning students will share their experiences with friends and classmates • Increase public awareness of key issues Jazz Dance as a Gateway to Community Engagement · 219 • Reach out to youth—an important part of any organization’s future support • Educate students/youth about community issues; corrects any misperceptions • Help prepare today’s students to be tomorrow’s civic leaders • Network with colleagues in other organizations and agencies • Identify and access other university resources; build relationships with university faculty, students, and staff.2 Curricular community engagement may include service learning courses, internships, research experiences, study abroad opportunities, and capstone, or senior thesis projects. Service learning is a credit-bearing educational experience that meets identified community needs and requires students to reflect...