DANC1345

MODERN DANCE I

CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION

            DANC 1345  Modern Dance I. An elementary course in basic modern dance technique designed to increase the movement vocabulary of the beginning dance student. The course includes basic axial center techniques, locomotor techniques, and combinations of both.  There is no prerequisite. 3 credit (2 lecture, 2 lab).

This course meets the basic intellectual competencies for core courses including reading, writing, speaking, listening, critical thinking, and computer literacy.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

1.         Develop technical skills within the modern dance

             vocabulary

2.         Develop body placement, carriage, and line

3.         Feel comfortable with one's body

4.         Understand how one's body moves

5.         Participate fully in technique class

6.         Study modern dance history

7.         Observe and evaluate a dance performance

8.         Participate in group movement improvisation

EVALUATION/GRADING      (suggested)

The goals of this course are evaluated through 2 in‑class skill

evaluations, 1 final project (paper or exam), and 2 outside dance

observations.  Because daily participation is so important, it is suggested that daily grades be given as often as possible for class work.

Attendance & Participation                                           40%

Skill Improvement                                                        10%

2 Observations                                                             20%

Midterm                                                                       10%

Final Project                                                                 20%

ATTENDANCE

DANC 1345 is a performance‑based class and as such REQUIRES that the student be present for EACH class meeting.  Students who are absent for more than 7.5 hours of instruction may be withdrawn.  Absences are defined as non‑attendance during the regularly scheduled class period FOR WHATEVER REASON, illness notwithstanding.  WHENEVER POSSIBLE, work missed by the student may be turned in or made up at the discretion of the instructor.

An absence, by virtue of its definition, cannot be made up.

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR THE INSTRUCTOR

The syllabus for DANC 1345 is based on several assumptions which instructors should regard as guidelines:

   1. That instructors should establish a positive environment

             which lessens anxieties of students.

   2. That students are generally apprehensive about classroom

             situations which place them as "the center of attention."

   3. That skill tests be evaluated by means of a written device.

   4. That a variety of instructional methods is useful:

             demonstration, question/answer, lecture, observation, etc.

   5. That course objectives be accomplished by instructors in

such a way as to satisfy their own teaching styles and personal objectives.

OUTLINE OF COURSE CONTENT

I.   Dance Technique

     A.   Axial Movements

     B.   Locomotor Patterns

     C.   Improvisational Skills

II.  Modern Dance History

     A.   The Forerunners

          1.  Isadora Duncan

          2.  Ruth St. Denis

          3.  Ted Shawn

          4.  Mary Wigman

     B.   The Founders

          1.  Martha Graham

          2.  Hanya Holm

          3.  Doris Humphrey/Jose Limon

          4.  Charles Weidman

     C.   Films: see media catalogue for list of available videotapes

III. Performance Observations (total of 2)

     A.   Function Description

     B.   Critique

IV.  Skill Evaluation

     A.   Rating (score)

     B.   Improvement

            The first goal of a dance class is to improve technical skills.  To that end, the majority of the classes of this course are taught as a technique class.  A standard technique class consists of axial and locomotor exercises designed to warm, stretch, and strengthen various parts of the body; and movement patterns designed to develop coordination, rhythm, and stamina.  This syllabus does not presume to outline daily technique classes for individual instructors.  Each technique class is different, depending on who is teaching the class, the dance background of the instructor, the class objectives for the day. The instructor is free to design the class according to his/her own skills.  Over the length of the semester, the instructor should include all of the following objectives.

                   TECHNIQUE CLASS OBJECTIVES

1.         The student should understand and perform correct body

            alignment while standing, sitting, and moving.

2.         The student should understand kinesiologically sound exercise

practices.  The student should leave this class with an understanding of how his/her body moves, and how to protect that body in future exercise situations.

3.         The student should gain a basic anatomical vocabulary pertaining to the muscles and how they function.

4.         The student should understand and perform correctly the following technique skills:

    a.     in both parallel and turned‑out position:

            demi plie, grand plie, releve, balance, brushes, passe, kicks

    b.     simple port de bras sequences alone and combined with other movements

    c.     use of swing movements with arms, legs, whole body

    d.     turns

    e.     falls and recoveries, from sitting, kneeling, standing, jumping patterns

    f.      locomotor patterns incorporating the above skills

    g.     group improvisation