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City University of New York - City College

Modern Dance, Embodiment, and Society: The Graham Technique’s Resistance to Conditioned Physicality

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>Martha Graham, foremost pioneer of American Modern dance, is the originator and developer of what is known today as the Graham technique. When this technique is removed from performative contexts, the philosophy of its practice can add insight to a discussion of embodiment and what it means to resist socially prescribed embodiments. This paper will examine the ways in which the Graham technique cultivates awareness of embodiment’s origins and processual nature, and therefore how a conscious resistance to social conditioning can arise. The neuroscientific and physiological processes behind this cultivation of awareness will be discussed, and several examples of resistance to social conditioning using key elements of the Graham technique will be developed.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Level thesis:degree_level
Thesis
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
English
Year dc:date.available
2021

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • McManus, Cara
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Robert Higney

Subjects

dc:subject × 9

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/cc_etds_theses/956
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:academicworks.cuny.edu:cc_etds_theses-2000

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
City University of New York - City College
Base URL
academicworks.cuny.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

McManus, Cara. Modern Dance, Embodiment, and Society: The Graham Technique’s Resistance to Conditioned Physicality. Thesis thesis, 2021. https://academicworks.cuny.edu/cc_etds_theses/956