rationale: Training in modern dance technique accentuates and deepens awareness of the body, while acknowledging and exploring established connections between the physical, cognitive, emotional and spiritual aspects of the individual. Modern dance technique builds physical, aesthetic and performance skills important to the development of a proficient contemporary dancer. Modern dance technique prepares the student to cultivate personal presence and perform with intentionality, clarity, and artistry.
Class Description: Modern Dance Technique I is geared toward the student with no previous modern dance training. The primary aim of this course is to encourage you to begin the guided exploration and development of an artistic and creative movement technique, via the synthesis of your physical, cognitive and emotional capacities. Throughout this class, you will study principles, practices and language common to a variety of modern dance styles.
The material for this course is learned through your active participation in all class related activities.
This modern dance technique class will consist of numerous of movement experiences that increase skills of coordination and alignment while building strength, flexibility, and endurance. Class begins with warm-up exercises and progresses to rhythmic movement patterns that travel through space, building rhythmic, spatial, and dynamic skills. You will also explore the creation of movement phrases through guided movement exercises. Live musicians accompany this class.
Class Objectives -- during this class you will have the opportunity to Learn and perform dance and develop the following dance-related elements:
- Awareness of Your Body: Explore elements of your unique body and its actions.
- Alignment: The ability to maintain correct musculoskeletal positioning in movement or stillness.
- Coordination: The ability to efficiently link movement patterning.
- Clarity: The ability to demonstrate accurately and consistently execute intended movements.
- Conditioning: The ability to demonstrate balanced flexibility, strength and endurance.
- Artistry: The ability to integrate technical skills with intuition and personal presence.
- Adaptability: The ability to employ physical and performance skills for a variety of choreographic intentions.
- Analysis: The ability to perceive and discern between successful/effective and unsuccessful/ineffective examples of Alignment, Coordination, Clarity, Conditioning, Artistry and Adaptability in yourself and your peers.
- Discussion: The ability to express your ideas, experiences, and findings of your analysis through oral and written means.
- Creativity: The ability to engage in creative problem solving in individual and group movement activities.
- Dance Vocabulary: Establish a functional language for modern dance description and analysis.
- Historical Perspective: A general understanding of the roots and pioneers of American Modern Dance.
methods -- you will:
- Learn and create movement material through guided instruction and intuition in highly and loosely structured settings.
- Consider, apply and deepen physical, cognitive and emotional approaches to artistic movement studies.
- Engage in consistent and repetitive exploration, refinement and performance of all class related material.
- Receive and process critical feedback from the instructor and other students during class.
- Perceive, assess and provide critical feedback on the work of other students.
- Reflect upon your individual progress through in class discussions, sensory and video observation, and class-related written work.
- See, consider and discuss live and videotaped modern dance performances.
Assignments:
- Remember / Refine Movement Material: Simply stated, you are expected to remember dance material from class to class and work to learn combinations quickly. You are expected to work diligently in and outside of class, alone and/or in groups, to cognitively and physically retain, analyze and refine material given in class. Your 'unsupervised' time of experiential movement exploration outside of class will prove to be a positive factor in your growth, confidence, sense of accomplishment, and grade in this class.
Friday Dance Lab: Dittmann Center Studio 2 is reserved for you to use for class-related work each Friday from 12:00pm-3:00pm. You are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the dance lab to physically remember and refine class combinations and to work on your 'Create a Dance' phrases. I plan to make myself available for some of the dance labs; however, this lab time is primarily designed as a significant opportunity for your self-guided and peer assisted exploration and learning. If Friday from 12:00pm-3:00pm does not work with your schedule, as a registered student in this dance class you are able and strongly encouraged to reserve alternate times in the dance studios for class-related work. See the studio sign-up sheets on the bulletin board between studios 2 and 3 to reserve studio space to work on class material.
- Initial Goal: You are expected to identify, and give a rationale for, one initial goal in taking this course. In essence, you should ask yourself, "What is the one thing I wish to work on most in this course?" "Getting the G.E. credit out of the way" is not an acceptable goal in successfully completing this assignment. Your goal should address some aspect of your physical, intellectual and/or emotional journey at St. Olaf. If you have taken a previous dance course, in which goals were established, please reference your previous goals, as well as your ongoing process (challenges/successes) concerning these goals. Your initial goal will help me in shaping the course material to assist your individual process and provide you with more specific feedback, as well as serve as an initial benchmark for your individual journey in this class.
- Create Your Own Modern Dances: Throughout the term you will regularly engage in creative movement activities that will assist you in the thoughtful creation and development of several of your own modern dances. Through engagement with the elements of dance (the body, space, time, energy/force) and movement concepts introduced and explored in this class, you will create and have several opportunities throughout the term to perform your individual movement phrase.
The goals for the 'create a modern dance' activity are to encourage and enable you to:
- be mindful of and intentional with the capabilities of your own individual body.
- develop an awareness of your intuitive creative tendencies and choices.
- embody the course concepts through creative discovery and recursive movement exploration.
- engage in problem solving through movement.
- have multiple opportunities to perform in front of others.
- 'Create Your Own Modern Dances' Showing Days:
- Solo Dance 1:
- Solo Dance 2:
- Partner Dance 1:
- Partner Dance 2:
- Videotape Sessions / Self Evaluation: Once during the term, you will be videotaped while performing movement material and combinations from class, including both your individual 'Create Your Own Modern Dances' (solo dances 1 & 2). You will observe yourself on videotape and submit a brief written analysis of your growth and process, successes and challenges, with the class material thus far. The goals for the Videotape Sessions / Self Evaluation are to encourage and enable you to:
- gain experience performing movement material in small groups and as solo performers.
- develop the ability to perceive your movement process and growth with an 'outside eye' (as objectively as is possible).
- observe and assess the process and progress of your peer dance students.
- develop the ability to describe, analyze and articulate your individual strengths and weaknesses with the course material.
- deepen your knowledge of class language and movement material by incorporating them into written analysis.
- synthesize your initial goal and instructor/peer feedback with your own awareness of your progress.
- outline a strategic plan for your continued growth and process in this class.
- Videotape Sessions (1-2 class periods):
- Self-Evaluation Due Date:
The plan is to have the videotape sessions online, so you are able to view them from any computer with internet access (there may be some limitations).
Refer to Written Assignment Submission Guidelines.
- Modern Dance Performance Attendance: As a member of this class, you are required to attend a minimum of one fully produced modern dance concert by a professional (preferred) or college dance company. Neither a ballet, play, musical, informal showing nor 'works in progress' will count toward this requirement. If you are unsure if a potential dance concert fulfills this requirement, ask me. You are encouraged to attend as many dance events as possible. A ticket stub or program from the dance concert, with your name clearly written in ink, must be submitted to me as proof of attendance.
- Signed Ticket Stubs or Programs must be turned in by Friday, 12/12/08.
Below is a list of some of the modern dance performances occurring this term in the Twin Cities and at St. Olaf College. There are likely others that you may be interested in and are encouraged to bring to the attention of this class.
- Minneapolis:
- Southern Theater: Tickets range from $19.00-$29.00
- Karen Sherman
- October 2-5, 2008
- Thurs. at 7:30pm,
- Fri. at 8 & 10:30pm,
- Sat. at 8pm (Post-show discussion Sat.)
- Sun. at 7pm
- Victoria Marks Performance (Village Voice Review)
- October 10-12, 2008
- Fri. & Sat. at 8pm
- Sun. at 7pm
- Post-show discussion each night
- ARENA Dances by Mathew Janczewski
- October 23-26, 2008
- Thurs. at 7:30pm
- Fri. at 8pm
- Sat. at 5 & 8pm (Post-show discussion Sat. with Ethel, Mathew Janczewski and Michael Croswell)
- Sun. at 2 & 7pm
- Zenon Dance Company
- November 20-30, 2008
- Thurs. (first weekend only) at 7:30pm
- Fri. & Sat. at 8pm (Pre-show talk Sat. Nov. 22; Post-show discussion Sat. Nov. 29)
- Sun. at 7pm
- Walker Art Center: Tickets range from $18.00-$25.00
- 4th Annual Minnesota SAGE Dance Awards
- Eiko & Koma "Hunger"
- Northrop Auditorium: Tickets range from $31.00-$55.00
- Lar Lubovitch Dance Company
- St. Olaf College:
- Sherry's Show
- Concert featuring St. Olaf faculty Sherry Saterstrom & Guest Artists
October 24 & 25 at 7:30 p.m. & October 26 at 2:00 p.m.
Wagner/Bundgaard Studio One in Dittmann Center
Free to the Public
- Senior Dance Concert
- Senior dance majors perform and choreograph their senior projects
December 9 and 10, 7:30 p.m.
Kelsey Theater, Speech/Theater Building
Free to the Public
Course Guidelines / policies:
Class Etiquette
- Studio Rules:
- No street shoes in the dance studios. Please remove your shoes before entering the dance studio.
- No food or drink (other than water in a closable container).
- No chewing gum or smoking allowed in the studio.
- Cell phones/pagers need to be turned off prior to class.
- Dress Code:
- You will be dancing in bare feet.
- Dance clothes for class should be comfortable without hiding or distorting the lines of the body. Close fitting dance/athletic wear or similar is best. Jeans and similar kinds of pants are not acceptable. Excessively baggy clothing is not acceptable. Gentlemen should consider purchasing a dance belt (artistic athletic supporter). Let me know if you have questions.
- Hair needs to be pulled back from the face and neck
- Long earrings and large or noisy jewelry should not be worn.
- You may consider purchasing kneepads to reduce the potential for irritation when the knees encounter the floor while performing movement combinations with floor work.
- Conduct: You are expected to:
- Be courteous and respectful of the people with whom you are working.
- Have a positive mental attitude.
- Be consistent, self-motivated, and committed to your work.
- Be well prepared for and focused on all tasks you are expected to perform.
- Pay close attention to details and directions (guidance for enhancing your dancing).
- Understand that general directions, while not given to you specifically, may still pertain to you as a member of the class.
- Take constructive criticism and apply it to your work without allowing your personal feelings to interfere with the process.
- Ask questions of the instructor. Beyond this, students should not engage in unnecessary conversation and should give the instructor their full attention at all times.
- Take responsibility to help create a positive atmosphere in the studio classroom.
- Stay engaged. Sitting between combinations is considered poor etiquette as well as being physically detrimental.
- Injuries / Limitations: Due to the experiential and participatory nature of dance classes, it is important that you be able to participate, physically and mentally.
If you have an injury that impedes or prevents you from participating fully in a class, please inform me at the beginning of the class period.
Any student with a documented intellectual, physical or emotional disability needing academic accommodations is expected to speak with me during the first two weeks of class. All discussions will remain confidential. Students with a disability who do not have an accommodation letter to present to me must also contact Ruth Bolstad (bolstadr@stolaf.edu ) or Connie Ford (ford@stolaf.edu) in the Academic Support Center (x3288) located in the very back of The Village.
- Tactile Teaching: Tactile (of, having or perceived by the sense of touch) teaching involves hands on correction by the instructor, and is a valuable teaching aide in assisting the student in understanding aspects of proper alignment, placement and movement concepts during class. If any student is uncomfortable with this aspect of the technique class, please let the instructor know immediately.
Absence Policy
- You are expected to be present, on time, appropriately dressed and ready to move for every class period.
- You are allowed one absence without effect. Every absence after that lowers your participation grade by one grade level (from A to A-, etc.).
- Second or third absences must be made up in other dance technique classes. See make-up class policy / options below for more information.
- Failing to make up absences beyond the first will result in a grade of F for this course. No other make-ups are allowed.
- The fourth absence is an automatic F for the course.
- Exceptions to the Absence Policy:
- If you must miss class for a College sanctioned event, you will be allowed one additional absence without effect, provided that official notification (email or signed document from faculty/administrative staff supervising the event) is sent to me prior to the day of the class being missed.
- If a situation arises in which you must miss class for more than 2 consecutive days, you must immediately inform me and the Dean of Students so that appropriate accommodation may be made. Such accommodation will be made on a case by case basis, with consideration given to your health, well-being, academic integrity and the academic integrity of the Dance program and the College.
- Any information and/or handouts given on days missed are your responsibility. You are encouraged to talk with classmates about missed material and make immediate arrangements for acquiring missed material.
- If you are not able to participate during a class period due to illness or injury, but you are well enough to sit and watch class, you can avoid an absence by observing the class and submitting an observation paper.
Email Communication
Information is often sent via email. It is your responsibility to check your email on a regular basis, and to read and promptly respond to all messages related to this class.
Make-up Class Policy / Options
Second or third absences must be made up in other dance technique classes.
For Those Needing to Make Up a Class: You may make-up a missed class by taking any appropriate dance technique class. The schedule below is for the modern dance technique classes only. If your schedule does not permit attendance at one of the classes below, please consult the class and lab for dance technique classes in different genres (ballet, ballroom, international).
- You need to obtain the permission of the instructor of the make-up class in advance to make sure you may participate in or observe the class on the day you wish to attend.
- You need to fill out the Make-Up form located near the Companydance bulletin board in the hallway between studios 2 & 3, and obtain the signature of the instructor of the make-up class. Let me know if you have difficulty finding the Make-Up form.
- No make up classes will be permitted after Friday, November 28th. This is generally an important time of culmination for all dance classes, and the presence of additional students can impede the effectiveness of this process.
Observing Class Policy / Submission Guidelines
If you are not able to participate during a class period due to illness or injury, you may avoid being counted absent for the day by observing the class and submitting an observation paper. This option may be used once, as two observations equal one absence. Below are guidelines to be followed in completing an observation paper.
- Bring pen/paper/laptop with you to the class you plan to observe. You should take detailed notes on the process/progress of the students in class, taking into consideration dance technique, performance and other aspects from class that we are working on and you deem relevant.
- You should reflect upon your individual class process and submit a one-page paper comparing/contrasting your process with that of the other students in class.
- The observation paper must be submitted prior to the beginning of the next class period to avoid receiving an absence for the observed class.
- Please refer to Written Assignment Submission Guidelines for information pertaining to all written assignments.
Open Door Policy
Students may make an appointment with me at anytime during the semester. Email (awr) is likely the most efficient method for making an appointment, but feel free to call my office (3622), home (645-8849) or catch me sometime between classes.
Tardy Policy
- You are expected to be present, on time, appropriately dressed, and ready to move for every class period. If you are not present when roll is called you will be marked tardy. If you are late for class 3 times, you will receive 1 absence (6 times late = 2 absences, etc.). If you arrive late for a class period, please inform me at the end of class, so I can mark you as 'present'.
- If you are 10 minutes late to class, you will not be allowed to participate, but must observe class and complete the corresponding observation paper (see Observation Paper Guidelines below). This is in consideration of the your health, injury prevention, and with respect for your peers in this class. If you must leave class early, please inform me before class begins. You will receive either a tardy or an absence, depending upon how much class is missed. If you choose to leave class without informing me, you will receive an absence for the class.
Written Assignment Submission Guidelines:
- General:
- Unless otherwise specified, all written assignments should be completed in Microsoft Word, typed, double-spaced and checked for correct grammar and spelling and saved with the correct naming scheme and format (specifics below).
- Include in your paper:
- your first and last names.
- the name and section of the course in which you are enrolled.
- the name/title of the assignment.
- Papers should address the requirements of the assignment thoughtfully and concisely, and there is no required number of pages for written assignments.
- Naming Scheme:
- You are asked to save your assignment documents with a very specific naming scheme. This process is in place to assist with efficient file management of your assignments.
- Save all your written assignment files for this class using the following naming scheme:
- your last name-first initial of your first name-assignment name-course number and section.doc (make sure the suffix is '.doc').
- For example, I would save my assignment files for my Modern I, section a (dance-111a) class with the following names:
- Initial Goal: roberts-a-goal-dance-111a.doc (make sure the suffix is '.doc').
- Video Self-Evaluation: roberts-a-eval-dance-111a.doc (make sure the suffix is '.doc').
- Peer Review Paper: roberts-a-peerreview-dance-111a.doc (make sure the suffix is '.doc').
- Observation Paper: roberts-a-observation-dance-111a.doc (make sure the suffix is '.doc').
- Any assignments failing to be named with the correct naming scheme will result in 25% reduction in grade and must be correctly resubmitted. This also may result in a late assignment, which will result in an additional 50% reduction in grade.
- Format Compatibility:
- My version of MS Word for the Mac will not open the latest version of Word on the PC. Before submitting your assignment, check the format of your file to see that it is 'Saved As' a Microsoft Word 2004 document and with the correct suffix ('.doc'). Otherwise, your assignment file will not be compatible with my version of Word, and you will have to re-submit your assignment.
- Submit to Class Dropbox on Server: All written assignment files should be placed in the dropbox of this class directory on the server.
- Late assignments: will receive only 50% of graded amount.
Assessment:
Demonstrated Improvement: 40%
The fundamental concern of this course is your growth as a dancer. Success in this area will be determined by semester-long improvement in the following course objectives:
- Alignment / Coordination / Clarity of Movement
- Adaptability / Creativity / Artistry
- Discussion / Analysis / Dance Vocabulary
Demonstrated Quality of Effort: 40%
The quality and consistency of your efforts are crucial to increased physical skills. Consistently enthusiastic and focused performance of class materials will have a positive impact upon your grade, whereas lackluster effort will have a negative effect on your success in this course.
This portion of your grade will be based upon the following elements:
- Self-discipline
- Level of concentration
- Consistency of work habits
- Self-confidence
- Demonstrated responsiveness to the instructions of the instructor and understanding of class etiquette
Demonstrated Level of Ability: 20%
In addition to improvement and effort, it is important that you demonstrate an appropriate level of physical ability with the course movement material and concepts.
This portion of your grade will be based upon the following elements:
- Alignment / Coordination / Clarity of Movement
- Adaptability / Creativity / Artistry
- Discussion / Analysis / Dance Vocabulary
Grade Marking System Assessment Definitions:
Modern Dance Technique 1 is a P/N (Pass/No-Pass Credit) Course.
From the College Catalog: P/N credits are earned in courses that are offered only P/N. In other words, every student taking the course is doing so on an ungraded basis. This differs from S/U grades where each student in a course may elect to take the course graded or ungraded. Courses offered only on the P/N basis, if so designated, may fulfill general education graduation requirements.
All students will receive either a 'P' (pass) or 'N' (no credit) for this class.
In a dance techniques class, it is often easy to determine which students are clearly passing and which are obviously failing. However, assessment becomes complicated in situations where a student may be straddling the line between passing and failing. To assist in assessing the student who does not clearly fall on either side, I have established 'Assessment Definitions' for this course, and I have listed the elements on which each student will be assessed for this course.
With this in mind, a 'P' is awarded for a grade of C- or higher; an 'N' represents a grade of D+ or lower.
Assessment definitions and specific elements being assessed are listed below.
- Superior (A) = Superior is for students who do work of an outstanding nature, show a hunger to know, a passion for learning, and a willingness to take movement risks. An 'A' student responds and contributes to class material, effectively integrates feedback and demonstrates exceptional growth toward the objectives of this course.
- Good (B) = Good is for students whose work is distinctly above average in quality and thoroughness, depicting a solid grasp of the subject matter. A 'B' student shows dedication, a willingness to take new steps, concentration, consistent work and demonstrates increased accomplishment of some skills during the term.
- Adequate (C) = Adequate is for students who do their work and actively participate in class but lack the energy, will or ability to take it to new heights. An average student, although present in class, does not perform in a way that commands to be seen. A 'C' student has accomplished some skills throughout the term, but both student and instructor know it could be better. Work habits are inconsistent. A 'C' student can accomplish more.
- Limited (D) = Limited is for students who have not done their work regularly. Lacking the necessary energy, diligence or passion for dance, the 'D' student has shown very little improvement and depicts a limited understanding of the subject matter.
- Inadequate (F) = Inadequate is for students who have missed more than the allotted number of classes, been tardy or left class so much that there is no base from which to grade.
important Dates to remember:
- 2nd Day of Class:
- Week of September 15th:
- Solo Dance Showing 1 during Class ('Create Your Own Modern Dances' Assignment)
- Week of October 6th:
- Videotape Sessions
- Solo Dance Showing 2 during Class ('Create Your Own Modern Dances' Assignment)
- Week of October 20th:
Week of November 10th:
- Partner Dance Showing 1 during Class ('Create Your Own Modern Dances' Assignment)
- Friday, November 28th:
- Last day to make up a class
- Week of December 8th:
- Partner Dance Showing 2 during Class ('Create Your Own Modern Dances' Assignment)
- Friday, December 12th:
- Last Day to Submit Dance Concert Ticket Stub or Program
There will be no final examination for modern dance technique 1.
GEC Attributes: This course is intended to satisfy the ALS-A (Artistic Studies) and PHA (Physical Activity) General Education Requirements. Under consideration are several revisions to and re-certification of several GEC attributes, including PHA. I have included the current draft of the revisions below, for your consideration Studies in Physical/Human Movement (SPM), previously PHA: Guidelines
- Course will introduce and develop a physical technique by engaging students in physical movement.
- Course must include a cognitive component where students learn about moving.
- Course must provide information about lifelong health and wellness of the whole person.
- Course must provide historical and cultural background relevant to the activity, illustrating the wide range of roles of physical activity in human development.
Intended Learning Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate the ability to successfully perform a range of skills connected to a given physical technique.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of the body's structure, function, and expression specifically in the performance of a given physical technique and broadly in creating long-term well being.
- Students will reflect on their feelings, values, and attitudes regarding movement and long-term well being.
- Students will understand the historical and cultural background relevant to the activity, illustrating the wide range of physical activity in human development.
Syllabus Credits Over the years, a number of dance artists and institutions have contributed to and helped shape my philosophy of and approach to teaching dance technique. I'd like to especially thank the following individuals and institutions for their invaluable input, guidance, support and generosity in sharing their artistry, philosophies and permission to use some of their ideas in developing my courses.
- St. Olaf College
- Janice Roberts
- Sherry Saterstrom
- Heather Klopchin
- Anne von Bibra
- Ann Wagner
- Dance Center of Columbia College in Chicago
- Arizona State University
- Gustavus Adolphus College
- Repertory Dance Theatre
- Linda C. Smith
- Ford Evans
- University of Utah
- Barbara Hamblin
- Yi-Qi Cheng
- Li-Chou Cheng
- Bené Arnold
- Abby Fiat
- University of Oklahoma
- Mary Margaret Holt
- Miguel Terekhov
- East Tennessee State University
This syllabus represents the contract of terms between the student and the dance department instructor of this course. The student is responsible for all information contained in this document. Students will be notified of any changes the instructor may make to this document as soon as possible.
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