Description
In this study, the researcher develops a documentary-driven methodology to understand the ways four women in the United States use their involvement in the belly dance phenomenon to shape their ongoing individual identity development. The filmmaking process itself and its efficacy as a process to promote self-understanding and identity growth among the participating belly dancers, are also investigated phenomenologically. Methodological steps taken in the documentary-driven methodology include: initial filmed interviews, co-produced filmed dance performances, editorial interviews to review footage with each dancer, documentary film production, dancer-led focus groups to screen the film, and exit interviews with each dancer. The project generates new understandings about the ways women use belly dance to shape their individual identities to include: finding community with other women in private women's spaces, embodying the music through the dance movements, and finding liberation from their everyday "selves" through costume and performance.
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Details
Title
- The Belly Dancer Project: a phenomenological study of gendered identity through documentary filmmaking
Contributors
- Watkins, Ramsi Kathryn (Author)
- Bolin, Bob (Thesis advisor)
- Hegmon, Michelle (Committee member)
- Hjorleifur Jonsson (Committee member)
- Arizona State University (Publisher)
Date Created
The date the item was original created (prior to any relationship with the ASU Digital Repositories.)
2012
Subjects
- Social Research
- Gender Studies
- Cultural Anthropology
- Belly dance
- Documentary Filmmaking
- feminist research
- Identity
- Phenomenology
- Qualitative Methods
- Belly dance--United States--Psychological aspects--Case studies.
- Belly dance
- Belly dance--Social aspects--United States--Case studies.
- Belly dance
- Women--United States--Identity--Case studies.
- Women
- Documentary films--Production and direction--United States--Psychological aspects--Case studies.
- Documentary films
Resource Type
Collections this item is in
Note
- thesisPartial requirement for: Ph. D., Arizona State University, 2012
- bibliographyIncludes bibliographical references (p. 175-186)
- Field of study: Anthropology
Citation and reuse
Statement of Responsibility
by Ramsi Kathryn Watkins