Spring 2026 Course Search

Commodities such as cars, smartphones, laptops, and refrigerators were initially considered luxuries but are now widely viewed as everyday necessities. This shift suggests that our understanding of need is shaped by social, historical, and cultural context. In this class we will explore questions such as: how do we distinguish what we want from what we need to live a dignified life? Moreover, how might societies determine which types of needs should be satisfied through market exchange and which should not?

This is a laboratory for making a mini dance project that can be developed within the short time frame of 3 weeks, right at the start of the term. Students will be working with others in the class to make, teach, and rehearse selections of movement material, culminating in a project that may be shown in Dance Workshop. This is an opportunity for working with instincts, for finding quick solutions and perhaps creating a base for future work.