Beginning Ballet

DCE 113-01

1 Credit Hour

M/W 11-12:15 Fall 2007 (Studio 152)

Instructor: Sara Geffert

Office: 220 G

Office Hours: By appointment

Email: srgeffer@uncg.edu

Course description: Development of technical skills in ballet, including safe and efficient alignment and clear articulation of movement vocabulary.

Student Learning Goals:

On completion of this course, you will learn to:

1. Move contra-laterally during locomotion (left/right halves in opposition).

2. Grasp and retain sequences of simple exercises and combinations.

3. Breathe appropriately and as needed while moving.

4. Anticipate the beat when required.

5. Maintain energy throughout each combination and a full class.

6. Demonstrate commitment/responsibility as appropriate in and out of class.

7. Demonstrate awareness and attention to studio/classroom procedures.

8. Demonstrate dynamic alignment—as appropriate to exercises/combinations in the class and involving awareness of center.

9. Move on the beat when required.

10. Show appropriate use of the legs as called for in an exercise/combination.

11. Show appropriate use of the feet as called for in an exercise/combination.

12. Show command of skills involving initiation of movement.

13. Show command of skills involving weight shift.

14. Avoid extraneous tension in performing simple movements such as walks, skips, etc.

15. Fulfill the time/counts given for each part of the movement.

16. Demonstrate attributes of/qualities in movement as specified.

17. Demonstrate clarity of bodyline in simple movement combinations.

18. Demonstrate clarity of spatial direction in simple movement combinations.

19. Perform set movement with confidence/full engagement.

20. Respond spontaneously to improvisational prompts, with confidence/full engagement and/or demonstrate creative spontaneity within a given technique.

Teaching Strategies:

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

1. Demonstrate, explain, analyze, and lead explorations of movement exercises and combinations designed specifically to develop the skills required for achievement of learning goals 1-10.

2. Observe your daily work in class and (a) orally assess your achievement of learning goals 1-13 and (b) make recommendations for improvement in achieving learning goals 1-13*

3. Provide a written assessment of the Dance Technique Feedback sheet of your achievement at mid-term and again near the end of the semester.

4. Provide opportunities for individual appointments in which we may discuss your learning efforts.

5. Present ballet terminology with clarity.

*Not every student will receive individual feedback during each class, but all students will receive individual feedback regularly throughout the course of the semester.

Evaluation Methods and Guidelines for Assignments:

To succeed in this class, you will need 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 that I provide in class

3. Learn the movement material as quickly as you can through observation and practice

4. Execute the movement material as accurately as possible each time you are called upon to do so

I will assess your progress toward you and your achievement of the learning goals through:

1. Daily oral feedback to you and/or others on work done in class

2. Ballet terminology test, midterm evaluation using the technique feedback sheet, and final evaluations of your achievement using the Dance Technique Feedback Sheet.

Your achievement in mastering the learning goals to the degree appropriate for this course, and as documented on the Dance Technique Feedback sheet, will provide the primary basis for calculating your final letter grade.  Your attendance record will be an additional factor in calculating your final letter grade. 

Grading Scale:

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:

Attendance is expected in every class.  There are only 2 allowed absences for the entire semester, regardless of the reason.

The relationship between attendance and your final letter grade is as follows:  1/3 of a letter grade will be deducted for each absence incurred over the two maximum absences allowed for this class.   IE: If your grade is a "B" at the end of the semester, but you have a total of 4 absences, your final grade will be a "C+".

A tardy arrival or early departure over 10 minutes will equate to 1/2 absence.  Accruing two of these will equal one absence.  If you arrive more than 10 minutes late, you are required to sit-out and take notes for safety reasons, and this counts as your one allowed observation day.  If you are less than 10 minutes late, please quietly join the back of the class and begin working immediately, with as little distraction as possible.  If you are tardy (within 10 minutes of the start of class) two times or less, your grade is not affected; however, timely class arrival is strongly encouraged, and is critical to your safe participation, technical development, and professionalism.

The Dance Department requires 80% participation in order to receive a passing grade in technique classes.  Observation does not count towards this 80%.  Students must physically participate in 24 classes in order to pass this course; not participating in 6 or more classes = no credit.

Students may make up ONLY 1 class in another instructors technique class of the same level if permission is received from that instructor.  I must receive a signed paper from the other instructor (you get it signed and bring it to me) indicating your participation in his or her class in order to receive make-up credit.  See me before beginning this process.  Do not wait until the end of the semester to take your make-up class.

Observations: In the case of temporary injury or non-contagious illness, students are expected to observe class. ONLY ONE OBSERVATION DAY IS ALLOWED. During observation, take notes and submit them. Notes should go beyond just listing what the combinations were. Pay attention to what the students are doing in relation to the instructor's feedback. Make correlations between what you see, what you hear, and what you personally experience when you are physically participating in the class. How does observing class further enrich your kinesthetic and cognitive understanding of ballet? You must type notes and return them to the instructor before the next class meeting time.

Situations such as serious illness, long-term injury, or family emergencies may be dealt with on an individual basis.  In some cases, students will be given an Incomplete to be made up within the next semester.  In other cases, I may recommend withdrawal from the course.

Class Conduct:

Please be respectful of your fellow classmates, the instructor, and our art by being attentive and following studio etiquette at all times during class (if there are any questions as to the components of studio etiquette, please see me privately). I encourage you to ask relevant questions during class, but will not tolerate excessive chatting, socializing, or other distracting behavior. Class time needs to be reserved for refining and improving our craft and our bodies as artistic instruments.  For your own safety and enjoyment of this class, no eating or gum chewing is allowed in the studio.  Please turn off or silence all cellular phones and other electronic devices.  Should there be a reason you need to have your cell phone out during class, please let me know before we begin. 

Expectations of you as a Student:

In addition to maintaining the above outlined expectations, I also request the following:

1. To actively participate in class, work on corrections, practice and apply concepts and theories in combinations.  Always strive to reach new capacities and discoveries!

2. To ask questions if anything is unclear. 

3. To keep an open mind toward working the body in a new way while draw upon previous knowledge of and experiences in dance.

Expectations of me as your Instructor:

1. To also maintain the above guidelines while sharing with you my knowledge and experiences of ballet as clearly as possible. 

2. To be prepared for class and to provide you with clear and respectful feedback in the form of verbal and manual corrections. 

3. To be available for you to approach me with any questions or concerns you might have regarding any aspects of this course, my teaching, or your progress.

Please look at the UNCG Dance Department Website (www.uncg.edu/dce) under Syllabi for feedback sheets, definitions of skills, alignment statement, scores in technique classes, etc.)