DANC 1341

BALLET I

CATALOGUE  DESCRIPTION

DANC 1341 Ballet I. This course provides students with a basic understanding of the fundamental principles of classical ballet technique, encourages students to achieve a significant level of self-discipline and physical control, and instills an appreciation of the historical contributions of ballet to the overall development of dance as an art form. There is no prerequisite. 3 credit (2 lecture, 2 lab)

PURPOSE

DANC 1341 Ballet I teaches the basic vocabulary and skills that are necessary to facilitate advancing in the classical technique. The barre skills are emphasized, along with basic centre and diagonal skills. The proper use of the body, particularly the use of the feet and correct alignment, is stressed in each lesson.

GOALS

1.         Develop technical skills within the classical ballet 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.         Observe and evaluate dance performances.

7.         Trace the development of ballet history.

COURSE OUTLINE

I.          Dance Technique

            A.        Alignment

            B.         Barre skills

            C.        Body positions & directions

            D.        Centre skills

            E.         Diagonal skills

II.         Ballet History: Ballet Comique de la Reine through Romanticism

III.       Performance Observations

IV.       Skill Evaluations

V.        Written Tests

  COURSE INFORMATION

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 class consists of barre, centre, and diagonal skills designed to warm, stretch, and strengthen various parts of the body. Class also serves 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 whom is teaching the class, the dance background of the instructor, the class objective for the day. Objectives are listed below; over the length of the semester, the instructor will cover all areas.

TECHNIQUE CLASS OBJECTIVES

1.         The student should understand and perform correct body alignment while standing 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 perform correctly the following technical skills:

            A. Barre Skills

plié, relevé, tendu, degagé, grand battement, rond de jambe a terre, retiré, fonfu, developé, frappé, petit battement sure le cou de pied, port de bras, sauté, pas de bourree

            B. Centre Skills

                        1. directions

                        2. body positions: croisé devant, quatrieme devant, quatrieme derriere, a la second

                        3. allegro skills: glissade, jeté, assemblé, changement, echappé sauté, balancé

                        4. diagonal skills: chainé turns, piqué turns