SoC First Year Seminar: Interdisciplinary Topics in Communication Arts & Sciences (101-0-4)
Topic
Black Social Dances Go Viral
Instructors
Moya Bailey
Nadine George
Meeting Info
Wirtz 201 Performnce Black Box: Tues, Thurs 2:00PM - 3:20PM
Overview of class
Black Social Dances Go Viral invites students into the history of Black social dances and their viral spread in the past and present. Students will learn both dance and social media history as well as how they conspire to make some of the most viral media moments of before and today. We will discuss the erasure of Black choreographers from their art form and resistance movements that have reshaped our media landscape.
Registration Requirements
Registration is limited to SoC First-Year students assigned to take a first-year seminar in Fall 2026. If attempting to swap a section after registration, please reach out to dear-soc@northwestern.edu for assistance.
Learning Objectives
Learning Goal: Engage critical thinking skills while exploring the breadth of School of
Communication creative and research endeavors.
Learning Outcome: Students will identify key factors relevant to the course topic,
differentiate between multiple perspectives and interpretations, and explain how at least
two School of Communication disciplines might approach a given topic.
Learning Goal: Experiment with research and communication conventions associated with
School of Communication disciplines.
Learning Outcome: Students will demonstrate their ability to communicate ideas and/or
experiences compellingly by using appropriate research tools, soliciting feedback,
employing disciplinary conventions, and addressing audience expectations.
Learning Goal: Collaborate with peers from different SoC majors to highlight the benefits of
interdisciplinary inquiry.
Learning Outcome: Students will collaborate with peers across different majors to
successfully complete at least one group project and reflect upon the skills employed to
accomplish that task.
Class Attributes
SOC First-Year Seminar