Ethnochoreology - MA

The Master of Arts (MA) in Ethnochoreology at University of Limerick explores dance as a cultural practice, offering a unique lens through which to study movement, identity, and tradition.  

Ethnochoreology provides an alternative approach to the study of Irish Traditional Dance, popular dance, and world dance by applying theoretical concepts from the social sciences and testing them through fieldwork.  

Students engage with interdisciplinary perspectives including ritual studies, media technologies, and somatics. 

The programme combines academic rigour with practical exploration. You will learn through lectures, workshops, and hands-on research, supported by expert faculty at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance. 

This one-year, full-time programme is ideal for students interested in the academic study of dance, particularly those seeking to pursue doctoral research or careers in cultural research, education, or the performing arts. 

During this programme, you will:  

• Acquire a thorough grounding in the theory of, and methods in, ethnochoreology. 

• Explore an alternative approach to the study of a range of dance forms including but not limited to Traditional Dance, popular Dance and World Dance. 

• Learn to consider dance within its academic framework. 

• Examine specific world dance cultures to gain an awareness of diverse movement systems within their socio-cultural contexts.