8/18/2019 1.1 - A major course integrating gospel principles

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Kayla Bagshaw

Learning Outcome 1.1 - An examination of major courses where content was presented in a waythat meaningfully integrated gospel principles and values !-" pages#

Learning Outcome 1.1

$here is one specific dance major course that stands out to me when % thin& a'out gospel

 principles 'eing integrated in the curriculum. $his class was (ance )istory (ance *+1# with

,raham Brown and aroline rohos&y. /ithin my (ance )istory class0 % was as&ed to 'oth

watch and read a variety of excerpts tal&ing a'out different religions and how they choose to

incorporate dance within their culture and lifestyle. One assignment in particular stands out to

me the most0 which involves comparing and contrasting Ancient )e'rew ulture and ormon

ulture. %t was very interesting to see what things were different and what things were similar

 'etween these two different cultures.

$he ancient )e'rews had such a great interest in and respect for dance. 2or them0 it was a

way of life and no'ody could live without it. Although dance can 'e found in our ormon

culture today0 it is not as popular or necessary within religion as it was 'ac& then. %nstead0 our

culture today uses other forms of worship and cele'ration to honor different aspects of our

religion.

Although we have no evidence of this passion for dance in paintings or murals found

among the ancient )e'rew culture0 we are given many references within the 'i'le of this need

for worship and honor through dance. 2or example0 a circular0 or ring dance0 is the dance around

the ,olden alf portrayed in 3xodus "!4 +0 15. $he ancient )e'rews danced on every possi'le

occasion0 'oth in daily life and for special occasions and ceremonies. $hese dances would

include ring dances0 hopping dances and whirling dances.

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/ithin the ancient )e'rew culture0 it is stated that at a religious festival the performers

danced a ring-dance to musical accompaniment around the idol of the god who was 'eing

worshipped. %n our ormon culture today0 you pro'a'ly wouldn6t find people ring-dancing

around the idol that we worship0 however0 you could find us worshipping in other artistic ways

such as singing.

7omething that the ormon culture today has in common with that of ancient )e'rew is

the importance of the priesthood and the idea of it 'eing a very powerful tool and influence in

our lives. %n our culture0 we honor the priesthood 'y supporting them0 as&ing them for 'lessings

and helping them to 'e worthy of their great gift. 2or those in the ancient )e'rew culture0

8dance was the chief medium of religious expression09 therefore0 they honored the priesthood

through dance.

(ance in our ormon culture today is used for healing0 cele'ration0 entertainment0

enjoyment and grieving. %t can 'e used to overcome trials0 'uild self-confidence0 strengthen

happiness and stay motivated. (ance teaches us responsi'ility0 trust0 how to wor& with a team

and challenge our creativity. %t also allows us to ma&e new friends0 set and achieve goals as well

as learn the value of hard wor&. %n comparison with the ancient )e'rew culture0 dance was also

rituals0 tradition0 ceremonies0 worship0 etc.

% appreciated 'eing a'le to tal& a'out our religion and other religions in these different

ways. % enjoyed learning a'out how dance is incorporated in our cultures as well as other cultures

throughout history. % thought 'oth aroline and ,raham did a great jo' incorporating gospel

 principles within this class. % appreciated 'eing a'le to feel the spirit in this major course even

though it was specifically created for dance history.