This studio practice course continues the study of practices and principles of contemporary dance, as informed by the particular experience and performance history of each teacher. Attention is given to educating the body to move with specificity; to sharpening each student's rhythmic, spatial and energetic acuities; and to augmenting each student's range of qualitative possibilities. The course, which utilizes movement practices that are being utilized by some of the field's most progressive choreographers, will give students experience learning choreographed sequences, while also fostering students' ability to self-direct as movers. This semester the course focuses on the Africanist presence in contemporary movement practices. The engine of the class is the syncopated and poly-rhythmic body. Prerequisite: a previous Contemporary Dance Practices course, or permission of instructor or dance program director is required. Space is limited and priority is given to dance concentrators.