Dance teaching in national programs in Brazil and Portugal

Abstract

This study examines the fundamental principles of dance teaching (GEHRES, 2008) in national programs in Brazil and Portugal. In Brazil we selected the Curricular Orientations and Parameters in Physical Education and Art; in Portugal we focused on the Programs of Physical Education and the Alternative Proposal for Dance Education for the second part of Primary Education. Taking the aim of the investigation into consideration, we chose to conduct analytical philosophical research which, according to Thomas and Nelson (2002), aims at critical investigation, the study of facts and the synthesis of variables to analyze the existing material under a viable theoretical model. The investigation of the guideline documents of the two countries showed predominance of subjective proposals in both nations. However, Portugal and Brazil diverge in terms of their focuses; Portugal has an objective approach while Brazil focuses on interactionism.