by Laurie Cameron
It is always a challenge to create a syllabus for Laban Movement Analysis. At Pomona College, my goal is to cover the theoretical bases of LMA while encouraging embodiment of the material through regular practice of the Bartenieff Fundamentals and creative explorations that lead students to an understanding of the material within their own physical capabilities. This has to happen in two one-hour and 15 minute sessions per week for 14 weeks.
Meaning in Motion has become an anchor for my course. The opening chapters (History and Development and Overview of LMA) provide context and introduce the important characters. As I move through the Space material, the students read all of Part 5. I generally do not assign creative exercises for them to do on their own, simply because there are always students who need immediate reinforcement before confusion sets in. I do plan to modify a few of the suggested exercises to try in class, possibly in groups. For instance, students (in groups) might be given a simple score: one group will be asked to interpret it through peripheral pathways, while the other group uses only central pathways.
I always seem to run out of time and wish that students could concentrate more on Effort. I am determined to push us faster during the first third of the course so they can play more. Students with strong interests in Psychology, Sociology, and Neuroscience often become really engaged as they observe Effort Drives. I do plan to include creative explorations derived from those suggested in Part 4.
I am grateful to have this book as a way of keeping me on track. Students who want more information can refer to it and be led to original source material. It is an excellent study guide in preparation for quizzes and tests and provides more material than I am able to deliver.