98138: Introduction to Ballroom Dancing

Fariza Shiyap and M. Nahin Khan

Spring, 2020

E-mail: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: https://web2.qatar.cmu.edu/ mnk1/ Office Hours: M 10-11:45am Class Hours: Sunday, Wednesday 6:00-6:50pm Office: Cafeteria Class Room: 3044 or Mindfulness Annex

Course Description

Ballroom dancing is a set of partner dances that are enjoyed worldwide both socially and compet- itively. The goal of this course is to introduce the basic concepts of ballroom dancing to students and to make them comfortable in taking part in social dances.

The dances that are taught in this course include American or International forms of foxtrot, waltz, tango, cha cha, rumba, and swing. Depending on the learning pace of students, we may further cover salsa and jive. Students will learn three to four basic patterns in each of the dances, the timings for each of the patterns, as well as the unique characteristics for each dance. Furthermore, students will learn the central leading and following principles of ballroom dancing.

No past experience in dancing is expected; just the energy and spirit for dancing!

This course is a 3-unit course that lasts for the whole semester. Classes are held once a week for fifty minutes.

Required Materials

None

Prerequisites/Corequisites

None

1 Intro to Ballroom Dancing

Course Objectives

Successful students will learn:

1. Leading and following principles

2. Basic patterns in each of the dances

3. Timings for each of the patterns

4. Unique characteristics for each of the dances

Course Structure

Lecture There will be classes every Sunday at 6pm for fifty minutes. During the class, we will mostly learn the steps of the dances being studied by practicing them individually and partnering up, both with and without music.

0.1 Homework Most of the homework would involve practicing specific moves taught in class at home, so that students are ready to put them into practice by the next class and learn new moves each class. Other outside class work may involve encouragement to perform in CMU events.

Mid-term Midterm will involve finding a video of a ballroom performance on any dances we have learned so far. The assignment will involve identifying three moves that we practiced in class in the video and stating which ones they are. They will have to submit the link for the video and a short description of the dance moves they recognized.

Final Exam

There is no final exam in this class.

Grading Policy You will receive either a Pass or No-credit at the end of this course. Students are expected to attend all classes with only two absences allowed at most throughout the semester. Participation is all that is required for passing. We note here that participation is defined as taking active part during class; extended toilet breaks or withdrawal from class activities may result in participation points being deducted. Furthermore, attendance in the final social is required for passing this course.

2/5 Intro to Ballroom Dancing

Course Policies

During Class

Students are expected to pay attention and be respectful during class.

Attendance Policy Student will have 2 unexcused absences throughout the semester. Attendance is expected in all lectures. Valid excuses for absence will be accepted before class. Note that attendance is required for passing this class. Furthermore, attending the final social is mandatory for passing.

Accommodations for Disabilities Carnegie Mellon University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all persons with disabilities. To access accommodation services you are expected to initiate the request and submit a Voluntary Disclosure of Dis- ability Form to the office of Health and Wellness or CaPS-Q. In order to receive services/accommodations, verification of a disability is required as recommended in writing by a doctor, licensed psychologist or psycho-educational spe- cialist. The office of Health and Wellness, CaPS-Q and Office of Disability Resources in Pittsburgh will review the information you provide. All information will be considered confidential and only released to appropriate persons on a need to know basis.

Once the accommodations have been approved, you will be issued a Summary of Accommodations Memorandum documenting the disability and describing the accommodation. You are responsible for providing the Memorandum to your professors at the beginning of each semester. For more information on policies, procedures, and protocols for submitting a request for accommodation, please visit https://scotty.qatar.cmu.edu/qword/student-affairs/office-of- health-and-wellness/assistance-for-individuals-with-disabilities/

Wellness and Taking Care of Yourself Do your best to maintain a healthy lifestyle this semester by eating well, exercising, getting enough sleep and taking some time to relax. This will help you achieve your goals and cope with stress. All of us benefit from support during times of struggle. You are not alone. There are many helpful resources available on campus and an important part of the college experience is learning how to ask for help. Asking for support sooner rather than later is often helpful.

If you or anyone you know experiences any academic stress, difficult life events, or feelings like anxiety or depression, we strongly encourage you to seek support. Counseling and Psychological Services (CaPS-Q) is here to help: call 4454 8525 or make an appointment to see the counselor by emailing [email protected] . Consider reaching out to a friend, faculty or family member you trust for help.

If you or someone you know is feeling suicidal or in danger of self-harm, call someone immediately, day or night at 5554 7913.

If the situation is life threatening, call 999.

3/5 Intro to Ballroom Dancing

Schedule and weekly learning goals

The schedule is tentative and subject to change. The learning goals below should be viewed as the key concepts you should grasp after each week. Every class, we will take some time to revise dances learnt up to that point the course as well.

Week 01: Foxtrot, 01/12 - 01/16: • Basic steps • Moving with the line of dance • Rock turn • Promenade

Week 02: Cha cha, 01/19 - 01/23: • Basic steps • Under arm turn • New Yorker

Week 03: Rumba, 01/26 - 01/30: • Basic steps • Rotation • Underarm turn

Week 04: Tango, 02/02 - 02/06: • Basic steps • Scorpion • Promenade • Reverse Turn

Week 05: Waltz, 02/09 - 02/13: • Basic steps • Box moves • Moving around the room

Week 06: Swing, 02/16 - 02/20: • basic steps • rotation • underarm turn

Week 07: Salsa, 02/23 - 02/27: • Basic steps • Right hand turn • Left hand turn • Left side half turn • Rotations and movements

Week 08: Smooth, 03/02 - 03/06:

4/5 Intro to Ballroom Dancing

Week 09: Bachata, 03/09 - 03/13:

Week 10: Standard, 03/16 - 03/20:

Week 11: Latin, 03/23 - 03/27:

Week 12: Standard, 03/30 - 04/03:

Week 13: Latin, 04/06 - 04/10:

Week 14: Final Social, 04/13 - 04/17: • Participants are welcome to dance with each other as they please using the knowledge they have gained • A fun event to make use of what you have learnt!

5/5