Spring 2008 Syllabus

COURSE NUMBER: DCE 112-02

COURSE TITLE: Partnering for Contemporary Dance

CREDITS: 1

PREREQUISITES/COREQUISITES: One semester of 112 completed.

FOR WHOM PLANNED:  Dance majors at the advanced-beginning to advanced level of contemporary technique with or without previous experience in partnering and/or contact improvisation.

TIME:  Monday and Wednesday, 12:30-1:45pm, HHP 221B

INSTRUCTORS: Kerrie-Jean Hudson and Madeleine Reber

OFFICE: 220G

OFFICE HOURS: By appointment

PHONE: 334 - 4064

EMAIL: m_reber@uncg.edu and kahudson@uncg.edu

Description: This course will focus on the development of technical skills such as weight sharing, centered and off- center support of another body and use of momentum and strength in relation to a partner. We will also emphasize the importance of increased body awareness, safe alignment and sensitivity to a partner. The course will include structured exercises as well as guided explorations in which students will work creatively and collaboratively to find choreographic possibilities for partnering work.

Student Learning Goals:

Students will work toward the following goals. Due to fact that this is a mixed level course, each student will be evaluated taking into consideration their own level experience upon entering the course.

1. Ability to support another body in both centered and off-center positions or movement.

2. Appropriate and efficient use of momentum and strength in relation to a partner.

3. Use of breath to support effort.

4. Understanding of safe weight-sharing.

5. Ability to maintain energy and focus throughout a full class.

6. Commitment/responsibility to class work and classroom community.

7. Sensitivity, openness and clear communication (both physically and verbally) in working with partners.

8. Demonstrate dynamic alignment avoiding fixed/rigid, habitual holding in any part of the body.

9. Demonstrate understanding of points of origin for connection and support with a partner.

10. Clear grounding into floor and use of plum line and gravity, for support of self and partner.

11. Clarity of execution in shape, initiation and spatial orientation.

Teaching Strategies:

To enable student achievement of the learning goals, we will:

1. Demonstrate, explain, analyze, and lead explorations of movement exercises and guided improvisations designed specifically to develop the skills required for achievement of learning goals.

2. Move with students in order to provide kinesthetic understanding of movement principles.

3.  Observe daily work in class, assess achievement (at mid-term) and make

recommendations for improvement.

4. Provide opportunities for you to assess your own and others' progress toward the actual achievement of the learning goals.

5. Provide variations of exercises for diverse skill levels.

Topical Outline:  Exercises and guided explorations will develop over the course of the semester in complexity and level of difficulty. We will revisit exercises at various points throughout, finding greater depth and kinesthetic and conceptual understanding.

Evaluation Methods and Guidelines for Assignments:

The fundamental and ongoing assignments in this class are to:

1.  Attend to movement material presented, as well as to explanations and analyses of its specific components.

2.  Listen carefully to and apply all corrections and recommendations for improvement provided in class.

3.  Reflect in writing as assigned on your progress toward and actual achievement of the learning goals.

4. Work toward greater facility, confidence and consistency in relation to learning goals.

5.  Observe other dancers and maintain an active role in creating a positive learning environment.

Your achievement in mastering the learning goals to the degree appropriate for this course, and your consistent commitment and openness in participation, will provide the primary basis for calculating your final letter grade. Your attendance record, overall progress and your written reflections will also contribute to your grade. 

Achievement, progress and consistency in relation to learning goals 1-11: 50%

Participation: 10%

Demonstration of openness, curiosity and depth of exploration: 30%

Written reflections: 10%

93-100                A

90-92                  A-

87-89                  B+

83-86                  B

80-82                  B-

77-79                  C+

73-76                  C

70-72                  C-

67-69                  D+

63-66                  D

60-62                  D-

below 60             F

Attendance Policy:

1. You are allowed two absences (excused or unexcused), after which your grade will be lowered by 1/3 of a letter grade (for example an A becomes an A- etc.) for each additional absence.

2.  The dance department requires an 80% participation rate in technique classes meeting twice per week in order to receive credit. When injured or ill, but not contagious, you may sit, watch a class, and record observations to hand in at the end of the class period and still be counted present. You are allowed only one of these observation days. You are required to dance in 24 out of 30 class meetings in order to receive credit for the course.

3. Students are expected to be on time and to stay for the duration of the class. Two late arrivals or early departures will equal one absence.  Entering the studio five minutes after class has begun constitutes a late arrival.  You are responsible for telling the instructor after class to change attendance from absent to tardy.

4. Serious illnesses and injuries will be handled on an individual basis.  In such cases, it is the student's responsibility to contact the instructor in order to make appropriate arrangements. 

Additional Requirements:

You will be asked to write three self-reflections based on your experience and progress in this class. These should each be 1-2 pages, typed and double-spaced in 12 pt. Times New Roman. Self-reflections are due in class on Monday, February 18, Monday, March 17 and Monday, April 28.

You will need to be prepared for class, each and every day. This means:

Appropriate attire: No jeans, skirts, hats, chunky jewelry, shorts or extra-baggy clothing. You are expected to dance barefoot.  Please pull back long hair.

Appropriate etiquette: Be on time, ready to dance. Turn off your cell phone.  Do not bring gum or food into the studio.  It is a good idea to bring a water bottle.

Important Dates

Wednesday, March 19 and Friday, March 21: Mid-term conferences.