Dance 301 Research Paper Outline –
(worth 75 points)
Topic = Choose a Culture and dance from that culture to research. Investigate the
traditions, attitudes, belief system or religions and the leadership systems or politics of that
culture and explain how the dance reflects the culture.
Please choose a dance that is not described in the textbook.
Possible subjects include:
Africa/Adumu dance
Cambodia/Celestial Dance
Cuba/Salsa
Dominican Republic/Merengue
Germany/Waltz
Egypt/ Raqs Sharki
France/Ballet
India/Bollywood
India, Himachal Pradesh/Nati
India, Rajasthan/Ghoomar
Ireland/Step-dance
Lebanon/Dabke
Philippines/Tinikling
Polan/Polka
Russia/Ballet
Spain/Flamenco
Ukraine/Cossack
Or… you chose a culture and dance to research and write about. If you choose a cultural
dance not on the list, please check with the professor for approval.
For the Mid-Term assignment create an outline based on the following information.
Introduction
1. Start by explaining why you chose your topic.
2. Include a rough draft thesis sentence based on what you (hope to prove) (will
cover ) in your paper.
Then gather your information in an outline format as follows:
I. Give a brief background on the culture of interest.
a. country of origin and location
b. belief system (that relates to the dance- you will explain this later)
c. leadership or political system
d. traditions
e. attitudes
II. Describe the dance from this culture
a. give background on the dance.
b. How and why was it created
c. Describe the rhythm of the music
d. Describe the movement and what it represents.
III. Describe their philosophy of life and belief or political system that relates to the dance
a. How does the main belief and/or political system relate to the dance
b. Explain the culture’s philosophy of life
c. What is the significance of the dance, how does it relate to the cultural philosophy
of life?
VI. Conclude your paper with what you have discovered about the culture and dance. You
don’t have to include this in the outline you can save the conclusion for the final paper
after you have done the research and composed your paper.
Include MLA citations on a work cited page.
Research requirements
Not all Web sites are valid sources. Don’t use Wikipedia or my textbook – and all
sources must have an author. If you are unsure about the validity of your sources, please
email the professor. You may use periodical resources (“Dance Magazine”, “JOPERD”, etc.) .
Use articles from the library database (2), books(2), websites(2).
https://www.library.fullerton.edu/
You must use at least 2 books and 2 journal or magazine articles. If you use all websites =
your work will be marked down. Our library has many online search engines to find
scholarly journals on your topic in addition to many eBooks. You must cite your sources in
your paper and have a completed work cited page
