Authoritarianism in Dance: A Look at Clyde Smith’s “On Authoritarianism in the Dance Classroom” Jennifer Pryor and Katie McClellan Edited By: Laura Pratt and Dr. Kay Picart
Aims To understand authority according to Clyde Smith To define our views on the matter To think of new things
Terms Authority: Authority Figure: Authoritarian:
How much creativity do you sacrifice in order to please your teachers? In our world… How much creativity do you sacrifice in order to please your teachers? Is this helpful?
Smith’s Continuum Absence of enforced submission kidnap and torture
Docile Bodies: Michel Foucault, Discipline and Punish History Power Watching
Classroom authoritarianism enacted Power produces, for better or worse Experiment Classroom authoritarianism enacted Power produces, for better or worse
Cult behavior ____________________
Enlightenment like the leader! Goal: Enlightenment like the leader! But…
Precarious Elite Catherine’s Story Artist’s material Physical Imprints Emotional prison
What do you think? The balance between teacher and student The difference between instruction and authoritarianism
Conclusions Analyze methods and views Realize individual autonomy Find new classroom methods
Sources: Smith, Clyde, “On Authoritarianism in the Dance Classroom.” Dance, Power, and Difference, ed. Shapiro, Sherry B. Champaign: Human Kinetics, Inc. 1998. Foucault, Michel, Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison. New York: Vintage Books. 1979.