Date of Award
5-12-2011
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Art in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling (MA)
Department
Creative Arts Therapies
First Advisor
Rothwell, Kim
Second Advisor
Hernandez, Margarita
Keywords
Margaret Chace, creativity, Carl Rogers
Abstract
An ethnographic research study on the monthly gathering of a Chicagoan dancing community called Give Peace a Dance (GPD). The main goal of this study was to understand the potential therapeutic aspects of dance and creative self expression in a community setting. The ethnographic data was analyzed through the lens of Community Psychology, Chacian dance/movement therapy theory and Carl Rogers’ theory of creativity. The main research question that guided the study was: How do the participants of GPD experience this event emotionally, socially and/or spiritually? At the end, community, creativity and safety were the most important factors that emerged as the healing elements of GPD. The results of this study may contribute to the development of a model for applying dance/movement therapy as community development and community activism in settings such as unsafe neighborhoods, public schools, or to support the reintegration of soldiers into society. The model may also be used by dance/movement therapists to promote a more curious, creative, collaborative, and peaceful American society that supports positive social conditions with the goal of minimizing conflict and promoting a healthier emotional integration of individuals.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Mulcahy, Isabel Martinez, "Give Peace a Dance: An Ethnographic Research Project About a Dancing Community in Chicago and the Implications for Dance/Movement Therapy" (2011). Creative Arts Therapies Theses. 4.
https://digitalcommons.colum.edu/theses_dmt/4