Dance 110 (802) Spring 2012 Tuesdays 9:00-10:15 Kenilworth 660

Dance 110 (802) Spring 2012 Tuesdays 9:00-10:15 Kenilworth 660 INTRODUCTION TO THE ART OF DANCE Thursdays 9:00-10:15 Mitchell 341 Instructor: Diana LeMense E-mail: [email protected]

Sample COURSE SYLLABUS

This course meets twice each week. We generally meet in the dance studio on Tuesdays to physically explore/experience the dance forms we are studying, and on Thursdays we gather in a classroom for discussion, lecture and video. A variety of dance forms are introduced and explored during the semester. See sample calendar at the end of the syllabus.

COURSE OUTCOMES:

1. Students will expand their physical and intellectual understanding of Dance. 2. Students will explore the functions of dance in society and how these functions evolve as cultures change. 3. Students will experience, interpret and analyze a variety of dances and dance forms. 4. Students will study the impact of dance on culture and of cultures on dance at various points in human history and will form ideas regarding the relationship of dance and culture today. 5. Students will work together with their classmates to learn and perform a variety of dances in various styles.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

I. Attendance and Participation. You are expected to attend all classes, to be on time and to remain for the entire class period. We will meet as a class 30 times during the course of the semester. No one can earn an “A” who accumulates more than 2 absences for any reason unless extra credit is completed. (Extra credit option exists only where good cause for absences is documented.) II. Assigned readings and questions. There is no single text book for this class. You will regularly be assigned short readings which are available on electronic reserve through the university library and can be accessed from any computer with an internet connection. While reading the assigned articles, take note of what you believe to be the most important or most emphasized points made by the author. When you are finished reading, write down what you believe to be either 1) the central theme(s) of the article/chapter or 2) the most important ideas discussed. I will regularly call on students to share their understanding of the reading in class as a starting point for class discussion. In addition, you will be given a question or questions to answer to demonstrate your completion and understanding of each assigned reading. These questions will be posted under “Questions for Assigned Readings” on the Content page of this course’s D2L site. Submit your answers to the D2L dropbox and be prepared to discuss your answers in class.

III. Experience and write about two dance performances. You are required to “take in” and respond to two dance performances during the semester; at least one must be a live performance; the other can be live or recorded and watched on DVD. You must write a paper on each in which you describe the performance and what was most noteworthy or compelling about the performance to you.

You may choose your shows from the Dance Performance Calendar posted on this course’s D2L site or from the list of approved DVDs, also posted on D2L. If you would like to write your paper on a performance that isn’t on the list, you must get instructor approval prior to attending the performance.

Your paper must be (no less than) 2 complete double-spaced, typewritten pages (font size 10-12). Additional instructions for the formal descriptive review paper will be given during the first week of class and posted on D2L.It is assumed that all papers will be carefully written and thoroughly proofread before they are handed in. Grammar and spelling errors are unacceptable in a final draft.

A printed copy of your paper must be turned in within one week of attending (or viewing) the performance. A copy of the paper must also be submitted to the D2L dropbox by the due date. The first show must be seen by mid-term (March 15th). (Paper due March 27th.) The second paper is due no later than Thursday, May 10th (our last day of class).

IV. Attire for (Tuesday) Movement Classes. You must wear clothes that you can move freely in to all studio classes. Tight non-stretch pants, skirts, hats or clothes or jewelry that restrict your ability to move are inappropriate and unacceptable class attire. In order to fully participate in class, you must be able to move freely and fully. You are encouraged to wear layers so that you will be comfortable during movement and rest. You do not need any special shoes for class; however you cannot wear street shoes into the studio. We will usually dance barefoot or in socks.

V. Participation in class discussion and movement. Students will be evaluated on their attentiveness during class and on their willingness to participate in discussion and movement exploration. You will not be judged based on how much you knew about dance before coming to this class, but on how much attention and effort you give to learning during this semester.

VI. Make-up credit. If circumstances beyond your control cause you to miss more than 2 classes (or the equivalent in late arrivals) during the course of the semester, and if these circumstances are documented, you may be allowed to complete “make-up” credit assignments to make up for missed classes. Make- up credit assignment options will be posted on D2L.

Sample GRADING POLICY

50% Attendance and Participation: Demonstrated effort, growth and participation in all aspects of studio work and class discussion, including demonstrated attentiveness during videos, performances, lectures and timely completion of weekly reading and questions. 30% Assigned readings, questions and reflection assignment 10% Performance Paper #1 10% Performance Paper #2

NOTE: Failure to complete any required aspect of the course, including questions from assigned readings and attendance at dance performance and Descriptive Review paper is unsatisfactory and will result in a D grade or lower.

110-802 INTRODUCTION TO THE ART OF DANCE- Sample Calendar

Class #1 Introduction to the Course. Go over syllabus. Discussion “What is Dance?” Assigned e-reserve reading: Jonas, Dancing: Chapter 1: The Power of Dance

Class #2 What functions does dance serve? Why do we dance? Discuss Jonas Ch.1. Video excerpts: Dancing: The Power of Dance. Assigned e-reserve reading: Ambrosio, Ch 2. The Choreographer

Class #3 Movement class: The Basic Elements of Dance (Moving to music. Locomotor and Nonlocomotor movements.)

Class #4 Watching, describing and discussing dance. Discuss Ambrosio Ch. 2. Video: Performance excerpts. Assigned e-reserve: Ambrosio, Dance as an Art Form, pages 3-8.

Class #5 Movement class: The Elements of Dance, Part II (Space, Time and Energy)

Class #6 Dance as religious expression. Dance as a Classical Art form. Discuss “Dance as an Art Form”. Video: Dancing: Lord of the Dance. Assigned readings: Doolittle & Elton: “Medicine of the Brave”

Class #7 Movement class: Classical Indian dance: BharataNatyam. Guest artist, Kripa Baskaran, Natyarpana Dance Company*

Class #8 Sacred and Secular Dance. Native American dances. Discuss “Medicine of the Brave”. Class #9 Movement class: West African movement. Guest artists from Ko-Thi *

Class #10 Dance as a form of cultural fusion: the origins of Flamenco. Video: excerpts from Flamenco

Class #11 Movement class: Flamenco

Class #12 Dance as an expression of cultural mores and an emblem of cultural identity. Folk dance & Aboriginal dance. Video: Excerpts from The Stomping Ground. Assigned e-reserve: Jonas, Dancing: Ch 3: “Dance of the Realm” (excerpt).

Class #13 Movement class: Folk dances.

Class #14 Dance as an expression of political power and control : Court dance and the beginnings of ballet. Discuss Jonas, Ch 3. Video excerpts: Baroque dance & classical ballets. Assigned e-reserve: Ambrosio, Chapter 6 “Modern Dance”

Class #15 Movement class: An introduction to baroque dance, the origins of ballet.

Class #16 Dance as the Expression of an Individual Artist: Modern dance. Discuss Ambrosio, Chapter 6. Video excerpt: Dancing. The Individual and Tradition

Class #17 Movement class: An introduction to aspects of Modern dance.

Class #18 Experiencing, describing and discussing concert dance. Video excerpts and discussion. Assigned e-reserve: Katz “The Egalitarian Waltz” and Faulkner, I See America Dancing: “From the Ballroom to Hell” (Answer due 4/7.)

Class #19 Movement class: Social Dance: Waltz and Polka.

Class #20 Social Dance: The Couple dance revolution. Discuss Katz essay. Assigned e-reserve: Jonas, Ch. 6 (excerpt) “New Worlds of Dance”.

Class #21 Movement class: Swing Dance as a form of Cultural Fusion: New American Forms

Class #22 New American Forms Discuss Jonas, Ch. 6. Video: Dance in America: Free to Dance (Part One).

Class #23 Movement class: New American Forms: Salsa

Class #24 Video: Dance in America: Free to Dance (Part Two). Assigned e-reserve Cohen Bull “Looking at Movement as Culture”.

Class #25 Movement class: New American Forms: Hip Hop Class #26 Discussion: Looking at Movement as Culture. Video: Rize.

Class #27 Movement class: Capoiera

Class #28 Review.

Class #29 Movement class: Review of Social Dance forms.

Class #30 Last Day of Class. Discussion: What’s next?

*Guest artist schedule subject to change based on availability. ** Please note that this listing of assignments and dates is intended to clarify expectations. It may be added to or amended by the instructor during the semester.

***IF YOU NEED SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS OR HAVE ANY CONCERNS REGARDING YOUR ABILITY TO MEET ANY OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS COURSE, PLEASE ADVISE THE INSTRUCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. ***