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Step in Time: The Ritual Function of Social Dance and Military Drill in George Washtington's Continental Army

This thesis will describe, analyze and compare the functions of social dance and military drill among American soldiers during the Revolutionary War. These movement forms, though performed in different contexts, both contributed to the creation of communitas in the army, which was vital to its success. Specifically, collective movement, whether on the training field or ballroom floor, served as a vehicle by which Americans negotiated the transitional phase into a new nation. The Revolutionary War can be read as a rite of passage; social dance and military drill were literally embodied ritual enactments of solidarity and community. Social dance and military drill will be compared in relationship to their European roots, with particular emphasis on their role in social class structure, movement style and vocabulary. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Dance in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the degree of Master of Arts. / Degree Awarded: Spring Semester, 2006. / Date of Defense: October 27, 2005. / Social dance, George Washington, Ritual, American Revolution, Revolutionary War, Drill, Dance / Includes bibliographical references. / Tricia Young, Professor Directing Thesis; Sally Sommer, Committee Member; John O. Perpener, III., Committee Member.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_168328
ContributorsAndrews, Melissa D. (authoraut), Young, Tricia (professor directing thesis), Sommer, Sally (committee member), Perpener, John O. (committee member), School of Dance (degree granting department), Florida State University (degree granting institution)
PublisherFlorida State University
Source SetsFlorida State University
LanguageEnglish, English
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeText, text
Format1 online resource, computer, application/pdf

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