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.
Information contained in this syllabus is subject to change and students will
be notified of any changes to the terms of this document as soon as possible.
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Modern
Dance Technique I Dance Department |
Faculty: Anthony Roberts |
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DANCE-111-a Credit: .25 / P/N (pass/fail) Course |
DANCE-111-b Credit: .25 / P/N (pass/fail) Course |
RATIONALE: Training in
modern dance technique accentuates and deepens awareness of the body, while
acknowledging and exploring established connections between the physical,
cognitive, and emotional aspects of the individual. Modern dance technique
builds physical, aesthetic and conceptual skills important to the development
of a proficient contemporary dancer.
The following elements will addressed in
support of your learning.
1. Technical
Skills: The ability to execute movement material with due consideration
of anatomic and artistic principles.
2. Dance
Conditioning: Muscular Strength & Endurance /
Flexibility & Range of Motion / Neuromuscular Coordination / Dynamic
Alignment
3. Movement
Clarity and Kinesthetic Sense of Fundamental Dance Elements (the body, in space
and time, with energy)
4. Movement
Sequencing: The ability to learn and perform new
movement material.
5. Creative
Problem Solving: Utilizing movement and the elements of
dance as a means to find solutions to questions or problems posed.
6.
7. Analysis
& Discussion: The ability to express yourself and
participate in class conversations of course material.
8. Modern Dance
Language: Establish a functional language for modern dance
description and analysis.
9. Historical
Perspective: A general understanding of the roots and
pioneers of American Modern Dance.
COURSE METHOD: Kinesthetic Learning and Physical Practice – The
material for this course is primarily learned and experienced through your
physically active participation during each class period and out of class
physical practice and study.
1. Kinesthetic
Learning: You are expected to work diligently during class, alone and
in groups, to physically explore, create, learn, analyze, and improve your
ability with the course material (movement, vocabulary, your own creative solo
and group phrases, etc.). You are also expected to commit an optimum amount of
time outside of class toward review, practice, and further development of
course material in order to attain your highest potential and desired ability
in this course.
a. Engage in
individual and collaborative movement activities focused on discovery, creative
problem solving, and patient and persistent refinement.
b. Learn and
perform movement material that is created and demonstrated by the instructor,
your peers, and yourself as filtered through an eclectic modern dance point of
view.
c. Create,
perform, and teach movement material developed through loosely and highly
structured improvisational scores.
d. Receive and
process critical feedback from the instructor and your peers.
e. Perceive,
assess and provide critical feedback on the work of your peers.
f. Reflect upon
your individual progress through sensory and video observation and class
discussions.
g. See,
consider, and discuss live and videotaped modern dance performances and
documentaries.
2. Modern Dance
Learning Community (MDLC ) Participation: The primary
purpose and goal of the MDLC is to elevate student learning and achievement in
this movement intensive dance class, by providing an efficient, sustained, and
structured use of out of class engagement in a community setting.
a. At the
beginning of the term, the class will divide into smaller groups of students to
form modern dance learning communities. These learning communities will meet
outside of class to work to further develop and deepen your mastery of course
material through physical practice of class activities.
b. Each
learning community group (thus, each student enrolled in this class) will
commit to meet a minimum of 30 minutes, 2 times each week for the duration of
the term (1 hour each week outside of class).
c. Each modern
dance learning community session will be staffed by a Modern Dance Technique TA
(teaching assistant) to provide assistance to each learning community group
during their sessions.
d. Attendance
at the learning community sessions is required and attendance will be taken.
e. Active
participation in the modern dance learning communities will result in a greater
degree of student learning, accomplishment, and success in this course.
f. Failure to
participate in the modern dance learning communities will result in failure to
pass this course.
3. Video Days: Multiple
times throughout the term, you will be videoed while performing movement
material you have learned and created in relation to this class. The videos
will serve as a visual record of your growth and process in this course.
4. Modern Dance
Examination: You will take a written examination on
the modern dance language, movement concepts, and historical information
introduced and/or used in relation to this course. You are expected to maintain a glossary of the
language (vocabulary) that will be included in the examination for this course.
5. 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, an 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. There will be a listing of dance performances in the Twin Cities on
the Dance Department website soon.
THERE WILL BE NO FINAL EXAMINATION.
Open Door Policy
You may make an appointment with me at
anytime during the semester. Email is the most efficient method for making an
appointment, but feel free to call my office (3622) or catch me sometime
between classes.
Class Etiquette
1. Studio
Rules:
a. Please
remove your shoes before entering the dance studio and leave them outside the
studio. No street shoes in the dance studios.
b. No food or
drink other than water (recommended) in a closable, non-glass container.
c. No chewing
gum or smoking allowed in the studio.
d. All
electronic devices need to be left outside the dance studio or turned off prior
to entering class.
2. Dress Code:
a. You will be
dancing in bare feet.
b. 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.
c. You may
consider purchasing kneepads to reduce the potential for irritation when performing
movement combinations with floor work.
d. Hair needs
to be pulled back from the face and neck.
e. No hats, long
earrings or large and/or noisy jewelry, please.
3. Conduct: You
are expected to:
a. Be
consistent, self-motivated, and committed to your work.
b. Be courteous
and respectful of the people with whom you are working.
c. Have a
positive mental attitude.
d. Be well
prepared for and focused on all tasks you are expected to perform.
e. Pay close
attention to details and directions (guidance for enhancing your dancing).
f. Understand
that general directions and feedback for the class, while not given to you
specifically, may still pertain to you as a member of the class.
g. Take
constructive criticism and apply it to your work without allowing your personal
feelings to interfere with the process.
h. Ask
questions of the instructor. Beyond this, students should not engage in
unnecessary conversation and should give the instructor and class material their
full attention at all times.
i. Take
responsibility to help create a positive atmosphere in the studio classroom.
j. Stay
engaged. Sitting between combinations is considered poor etiquette as well as
being physically detrimental.
4. Writing
Materials:
Have
writing materials handy, as you will occasionally need them.
5. Injuries:
Due
to the experiential and participatory nature of dance classes, it is important
that you be able
to physically participate in all class periods. 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.
6. 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 you
are
uncomfortable with this aspect of the technique class, please let me know
immediately.
Absence Policy
1. You are
expected to be present, on time, appropriately dressed, able and ready to move
for every class period. You are expected to plan your curricular,
co-curricular, and personal schedule of activities to accommodate your full
participation in each class period.
2. Please
notify me in advance in the event of an absence, if possible.
3. If absent,
you are expected to meet with classmates to learn and/or review movement and
other class material missed as a result of your absence.
4. You are
allowed one absence without effect. Every absence after that lowers your Demonstrated Quality of Effort grade by
one grade level (from A to A-, etc.).
5. Second or
third absences must be made up in other dance technique classes. See Make-up
Class Policy / Options below for more information.
6. Failing to
make up absences beyond the first will result in a grade of ÔNÕ (Failure) for
this course. No other make-ups are allowed.
7. Accruing a
fourth absence at any point during the term will result in an automatic ÔNÕ
(Failure) for the course.
8. If a
situation arises in which you must miss class for more than 2 consecutive days,
you must immediately inform me so that appropriate accommodation may be made.
Such accommodation may include a referral to the Dean of Students and 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.
9. 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. See Activities > Assignments on
Moodle for more information on this assignment.
10. Exceptions
to the Absence Policy:
a. 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.
b. Job
Interviews, non-emergency medical appointments, meetings with advisors and the
like are not valid exceptions to the absence policy.
1. 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'.
2. 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 Observing
Class Policy 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.
Make-up Class Policy
1. Second or
third absences must be made up in other movement intensive dance classes.
You must make-up a missed class by participating in or observing any St. Olaf
Dance Department movement intensive dance class. Consult the class and lab for
a schedule of appropriate classes.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. No make up
classes will be permitted during the last two weeks of classes. 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.
So, if you know you will have an absence during the term, plan ahead to
schedule and attend a make-up class.
Observing Class Policy
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.
Written Assignment Submission
Guidelines:
o General:
o Unless
otherwise specified, all written assignments should be completed in Microsoft
Word, typed, double-spaced and checked for correct grammar and spelling. The
electronic assignment file should follow the correct naming scheme specified
below.
o Naming
Scheme for the Electronic File:
o You are
asked to submit your electronic assignment documents with a very specific
naming scheme. This process is in place to assist with efficient file
management of your assignments.
o Any
assignments failing to follow the correct naming scheme must be corrected and
resubmitted. This may result in a late assignment, which will result in a 50%
reduction in grade.
o Submit all
your written assignment files for this class using the following naming scheme:
á
YourLastName_FirstInitialOfYourFirstName_AssignmentName_CourseNumberAndSection.docx
(make sure you include the suffix '.doc' or '.docx' depending upon the version
of Microsoft Word you are using).
á
For example, I would save my assignment
files for Modern I, section Z (dance-111z) with the following names:
á
Observation Paper:
roberts-a-observepaper-dance-111z.docx
á
Performance Impressions Poem:
roberts-a-impressions-dance-111z.docx
o Additional
Requirements for All Written Assignments:
o Include in
your written paper:
o Your first
and last names.
o The name and
section of the course in which you are enrolled.
o The
name/title of the assignment.
o Papers
should address the requirements of the assignment thoughtfully and concisely,
and there is no required number of pages for written assignments.
o Assignment
Submission:
o Late
assignments:
o 1 day late
will receive only 50% credit.
o 2-3 days
late will receive only 25% credit.
o Over 3 days
late will receive zero credit.
Academic Integrity
St. Olaf College's Honor System
Policy applies to tests, quizzes and examinations, whether
in-class, take-home, or on-line.
St. Olaf College's Academic
Integrity Policy applies to all other work, including
papers, posters, research, internships, lab work, etc.
Accessibility/Disability
Services
If you have a documented disability for which accommodations may be
required in this class, please contact Connie Ford (ford@stolaf.edu) or Erin Bang (bang@stolaf.edu) in the Academic Support Center
(507-786-3288, Buntrock 108) as soon as possible to discuss
accommodations. If you have already arranged accommodations through
Student Accessibility Services, please provide me with your accommodation
letter within the first two weeks of class. Accommodations will only be
provided after the letter is submitted to me and with sufficient lead-time for
me to arrange testing or other accommodations.
For
more information: http://www.stolaf.edu/services/asc/sds.html.
Modern Dance I is a P/N (pass/fail) Course: 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.
In determining your final grade for this
course, the following factors are taken into consideration:
Additionally,
the following grading system is taken into consideration in this course:
Course Graded Percentages
Demonstrated Quality of Effort: 50%
Demonstrated Growth: 25%
Demonstrated Level of Ability: 25%
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER: (subject to
change, in which case students will be notified)
GEC ATTRIBUTES: This course
is intended to satisfy the SPM (Studies in Physical/Human Movement) and ALS-A
(Artistic and Literary Studies - Artistic) General Education Requirements.
SPM - Intended learning outcomes
for students:
Students will demonstrate:
1. The ability to successfully perform a
range of skills connected to a given physical technique;
2. Knowledge of the bodyÕs structure,
function, and expression specifically in the performance of a given physical
technique and broadly in creating long-term well being;
3. Awareness of their own feelings,
values, and attitudes regarding movement and long-term well being; and
4. Awareness of the historical and
cultural background of a given physical technique.
SPM - Guidelines for courses:
1. Courses must introduce and develop a
physical technique by engaging students in physical movement.
2. Courses must include a cognitive
component where students learn about moving.
3. Courses must provide information about
lifelong health and wellness of the whole person.
4. Courses must provide historical and
cultural background relevant to the activity, illustrating the wide range of
roles of physical activity in human development.
ALS-A - Intended learning outcomes for
students:
Students will demonstrate:
1. The ability
to identify, analyze, and evaluate the formal properties of a primary work of
art.
2. An
understanding of the relationship between a work of art and its cultural
context.
ALS-A - Guidelines for courses:
(a) Performance includes acting in plays,
or performing musical compositions or choreographed dances.
(b) Creation is the making of new works,
in the studio arts, film, music, theater or dance.
(c) Criticism is the analysis of artistic
forms.
(a) All courses are in the same artistic
form
(b) The combination of fractional courses
as a whole satisfies the guidelines above.
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.
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Modern Dance History Video Day: There will
be one class period dedicated to viewing a modern dance history video to
gain insight on one or more of the dance artists who were catalysts for its
development and evolution.
The exact date will be announced later.
During the class period following the video
viewing, you will have group conversations using the historical content as a
jumping off point, and in consideration of the questions below.
Video Viewing