SYLLABUS
DCE 200
Course: DCE 200 Dance Appreciation – Section 01 Spring 2008
Professor: Julia Edwards
Office: 220 F
Office hours: By Appointment. (Please know that I will make every effort to find a time to meet with you regarding any concerns or questions you have resulting from class.)
Phone: 334-4064
Email: jyedward@uncg.edu (email is the best way to reach me)
Catalog Description: Dance as an art form: historical and aesthetic perspectives, basic elements, and the relationship to other arts.
This class meets MWF 1-150 both the in classroom and in the studio
Attire: Students must wear the appropriate clothing for the movement portion of this course. Dress like you would for gym class. No jeans and no skirts. Out of respect for the learning environment there will be no food in the studio space, and all cell phones must be turned off. All shoes should be removed at the door of the studio before coming in. Please come to class on time and dressed appropriately on studio days.
Classroom Etiquette: In the classroom, every student is expected to listen actively to all present classmates and engage in discussion, which demonstrates respect and critical thinking in relation to the readings, and lecture while incorporating knowledge gained through movement experiences. Videos will be an important portion of the classroom experience, especially for dance forms we do not experience in the studio. Students should take notes on what they observe in the videos and how it relates to the lecture.
Student Learning Goals:
(what you should be trying to accomplish)
1. Interpret dance movement through discussion and in writing, in a way that makes it personally, socially, culturally meaningful. Assess, explore and analyze different movement styles sighting similarities and differences, cultural influences, and innovations. This should culminate in making connections across time and cultural location.
2. Demonstrate, through class discussion and especially in writing required essays and test essays, understanding of:
„ how your own cultural, social, personal, and political impact your seeing of dance movement
„ the varied roles dance plays across cultures, i.e. social, political, religious, etc.
„ the interconnections among regions of the world in such aspects as colonial and neocolonial relationships, human rights, discourses of justice, cultural and aesthetic developments, technology, ecology or epistemology; and
„ express sensitivity to cultural differences on a global scale
3. Recognize and recall information about the history and contemporary practice of dance in diverse global cultures. Further your understanding by locating, interpreting and evaluating information on diverse global cultures, using the Internet and library.
4. Recognize and experience different movement styles. Strive to understand the nuances that define each form studied.
5. Expand body awareness and find new possibilities for movement sensation and expression. Experience and express yourself as a moving, thinking person.
6. Demonstrate, by adding the UNCG Honor Code pledge to all of your written work, understanding of the UNCG Academic Integrity Policy. ALL STUDENTS will abide by the UNCG Academic Integrity Policy for this class. (All out of class assignments are to be completed individually unless otherwise directed by the instructor) IF YOU HAVE NOT READ the Academic Integrity Policy it can be found online at http://studentconduct.uncg.edu/policy/academicintegrity/ . This is your responsibility and you will be held accountable for any violation of this policy.
Teaching Strategies:
(what I will provide)
To enable student achievement of the learning goals, I will
1. Participate in and facilitate classroom discussions, lectures, movement experiences, reading responses and other projects.
2. Demonstrate, explain, analyze, and lead explorations and discussions of movement exercises, combinations and readings.
3. Observe your daily work in class and (a) orally assess your achievement and (b) make recommendations for improvement in achieving.
4. Provide opportunities for individual appointments in which we may
discuss your learning efforts.
5. Learning opportunities include: lectures, films, demonstrations, feedback on writing, collaboration with classmates, assigned readings, out of class assignments and practical dance experience.
* not every student will receive individual feedback during each class, but all students will receive individual feedback regularly during the course of the semester.
Evaluation Methods and Guidelines for Assignments:
(The bare bones of what you should be doing)
To succeed in this class, each student will:
1. Read all assigned readings. Respond thoughtfully always and often.
2. Read and listen actively.
3.Check blackboard and e-spartan regularly to stay on top of the progression of class and all assignments.
4. Participate fully in all movement experiences. Pay equal attention to having fun moving as explanations and analyses of its specific components.
5. Be self reflective, use critical thinking, and show understanding of issues discussed in class both in essays and in in-class writing.
6. Do all the work in all aspects of the class openly and to the best of your ability. Continually self assess your efforts recognizing your own strengths and weaknesses as a learner.
Attendance:
(why to plan mental health days wisely)
The Dance Department REQUIRES an 80% participation rate to get credit for the course. You will be permitted two absences ONLY without penalty. 1/3 of a letter grade will be deducted for each absence incurred beyond these three absences. Note: excused or unexcused it doesnÕt matter.
Sitting and watching a class does not count as participation in the studio portion of class and will be reflected in your participation grade. Three tardies equals one absence. A tardy constitutes being more than ten minutes late to class OR leaving early. With only 50 minutes this policy will be strictly enforced. If you come in late it is your responsibility to make sure you are marked present.
Calendar
1/21 No Class MLK Day
3/3 Midterm
3/8-3/16 Spring Break
3/19 Last Day to drop classes without academic penalty.
3/21 Spring Holiday- No classes
4/4 No Class- use the time to work on Choreography Project
5/5 Final exam
5/6 Last day of classes
FINAL EXAM May 9th 330-630 Choreography Projects Due
All Readings will either be found on e-reserves or passed out in class. Checking blackboard often for announcements will promote your success in this course.
There will be in class activities, quizzes, and reflective responses for most readings. Come to class prepared. Occasionally, you will be asked to do work outside of class to compliment the assigned readings
Please make a cover page for your essays, with your name on it and do not include your name anywhere else in the paper. All essays should include an introduction that prepares the reader for the content of the essay and a conclusion that sums up the body of the paper or extends your commentary in some way. When necessary citations MUST be used. We will use the MLA style of citing for this class. For help, see the library website under the virtual reference desk, http://library.uncg.edu/depts/ref/handouts/mla.asp
Movement Essay –part of your in class activities
Descriptive writing about dance and your own somatic experience is a major part of our work in this course. After we have practiced describing movement using effective vocabulary you will write a Personal Movement Essay describing an experience in detail using the elements of dance discussed in class. The essay should be in the first person and reflect your ability to articulate your movement experience to the reader using rich, descriptive language. Please recall the ways we have learned to talk about, describe and experience movement and utilize them in this essay and take them with you into all other writing. Citation is not needed for this essay.
GO DANCE
The Go Dance assignment should be fun and can be done with friends/ classmates, but the reflective writing must be done individually. At some point during the semester you must attend and participate fully in a dance function. I have listed below several possibilities- you may select a different activity that happens in the community. However, if it is not on this list I must approve it in order to get credit for this assignment. The event must be focused around dance. Thus- going out with friends on the weekends and dancing to a couple of songs at the bar or someoneÕs house does not suffice. You must seek out a dance opportunity, take a lesson, learn something new and locate where dance exists in your own community. If you are already involved in dance practices, classes or groups you need to find a different event to attend. You must attend the lesson attached to the event!
Appropriate Events
-Any dance hosted by the Piedmont Swing Society. See the website below for a calendar of their events
http://www.piedmontswingdance.org/membership.html
-Latin Dance Night at the Speakeasy in Winston Salem
-Contra Dancing at the Vintage Theater in Winston Salem Tuesday at 8
-Latin Dance at Artistika Concert Caf on S. Elm St. Greensboro Saturday 8-10 with Salsa lesson.
-Rumba Latina Salsa Lessons from 7-9 on Wednesday nights N. Davie Street Greensboro.
-Most events listed under Dance in the Relish weekly publication.
-Any event that you are qualified to attend on the dance calendar at go triadÕs website http://calendar.gotriad.com/
Write: After you have gone and participated in an evening or afternoon of dancing write a 2-3 page reflective, descriptive essay. You should discuss the format of the event; describe the movement and your somatic experience of it. This needs to be a well thought out articulate description of your experience and what you learned. Please bring the flyer, listing, program or ticket you receive at the event you attend.
Go Observe
How are dances created? You must attend a rehearsal of a dance graduate student in the UNCG Dance Department. A list of dates and times for these opportunities will be provided within the first two weeks of class. When you attend rehearsal answer the corresponding questions posted on blackboard and turn them in at the next class meeting. While at the rehearsal, take notes on what you see and questions that come to your mind. Get your notes signed by the choreographer and turn them in with your answers to the related questions. Note: While you are in rehearsal you should not talk, text message, or be disruptive in anyway. It is a crucial time sensitive process that you are being invited into, so be respectful.
Concert Essay
Due dates relate to which concert you attend. See calendar.
This will be a concert essay about a performance at the UNCG dance department. See the calendar below for choices. Concerts are held in the Dance Theater in the HHP building. Attendance is mandatory (you may not write your paper based on a videotape). If there is a reason that you cannot attend the one of the concerts below, it is your responsibility to notify me within the first two weeks of class to discuss other arrangements. There are two concerts to choose from, but you will only write one essay. DUE one week after the concert you attend.
Prompt: Your concert essay should be a three to four page description, discussion, and interpretation of the dances in the concert and the relevant issues you perceive surrounding those works. Allow your writing and reflection to be informed by our in class discussions and the knowledge gained form readings. Citation is not needed for this essay, unless you quote the program. See the concert calendar for the performance(s) you are able to write on. If you cannot attend an appropriate concert it is your responsibility to let me know early in the semester so that we can find a suitable alternative.
You must write in depth about at least two works, but mention all of them. Your two (or more) chosen works MAY NOT BE IN THE SAME HALF OF THE CONCERT.
Concert Etiquette: No CELL PHONES (not as flash lights, not in between dances, not text messaging). No LAP TOPS. Be EARLY. Do Not TALK DURING THE DANCES.
All papers must be double-spaced and in twelve point font. I will NOT accept papers via email. For everyday a paper is late a third of a letter grade will be deducted.
Grading Criteria for Essays:
Generally essays will be graded in three parts:
— Content makes up 60% and is assessed by evaluating depth of thought, attention to detail, correct citations and achievement in following the parameters of the assignment.
— Structure, making up 20%, is flow and organization of the essay.
— Grammar, also 20%, includes spelling, complete sentences, comma usage, and attention to rules of grammar. If your paper is deficient in this area I will hand it back to you and require you to attend the writing center.
NOTE: Please also make use of the Writing Center. For more information, please see the Writing CenterÕs webpage at http://www.uncg.edu/eng/writingcenter/
Tests
There will be a midterm and a final exam. The tests will include matching, multiple choice, fill-ins, short answers and essay questions. Each test represents 15% of your grade. The tests will cover material discussed in lecture and practicum units asking you to recall historical information, analyze and discuss the development and relationships between dance forms and expecting you to develop well articulated thoughts in writing synthesizing the readings, discussions and movement experiences.
The choreography projects will be due/ presented during the final exam period. Each well-practiced dance must be two to three minutes long at least and no longer than 5 minutes. You will work in groups of 2 to 6. You are responsible for organizing your own groups and rehearsal times. Little in- class time will be allotted to this project. It is your choice whether to use music, text, or silence. All music selections must be appropriate for the classroom. This means no cursing, no racial or gender slurs and no sexually explicit lyrics. If you have questions about whether or not a selection is appropriate please submit a copy of your music to me at least halfway through the semester. Failure to choose appropriate music will be reflected in your grade. You are welcome to use costumes and props.
I will determine 50% of your grade based on an evaluation form you fill out individually about your group and your ability to work together. This form will be posted on blackboard. You need to print it off and bring it filled out to the last day of class.
The other 50 % is what I see revealed in the presentation. I am looking for influences, innovations and abstractions, and acknowledgment of class material in the presentation. Give yourself enough time to experiment and make changes throughout the process. This is your chance to loosen up a bit while reflecting what you learned. Experiment and show me what youÕve got!!! A rubric for this will be provided in class and posted on blackboard. Feel free to contact me with any question regarding your groupsÕ thoughts about this project.
Go Dance (including reflective writing) 10%
-Due any class period, but must be turned in by 4/18/08
Go Observe 10%
-Due any class period but must be turned in by 3/28/08
Concert Essay 20%
-Due one week after the concert you attend
Choreography Project 15%
-During final exam period.
In Class Activities related to the readings 15%
2 Tests - 30% (15% each)
Midterm 3/3/08
Final Exam 5/5/08
Grading Scale
Final grades will be based on the following:
94 or more points = A (Note that the points above add up to 105, without bonus points.)
91-93 = A-
88-90 = B+
84-87 = B
81-83 = B-
78-80 = C+
74-77 = C
71-73 = C-
68-70 = D+
64-67 = D
61-63 = D-
Below 61 points = F
Grades will be posted on Blackboard, in the online grade book. Please check after you receive each assignment back, to be sure that the posted grade matches the one on your assignment. Grades in Blackboard will not reflect excessive absences.
Concert Calendar
NOTE YOU CAN ONLY WRITE ABOUT THE CONCERTS WITH A ** BY THEM ALL OTHERS CAN BE EXTRA CREDIT
All concerts are $12 general admission; $9 seniors and children; $6 students.
february
FRI-SAT, 2/15 at 8PM, 2/16 at 2PM and 8PM | Prime Movers Concert This concert consists of auditioned undergraduate and graduate student choreography. Prime Movers is a student-led organization that serves as the voice of the Department. This is their annual concert production.
**FRI, 2/29 at 8PM | MFA Concert: Work by Emily Quinn Continued March 1 at 8pm.
march
**SAT, 3/1 at 8PM | MFA Concert: Work by Emily Quinn
**FRI-SAT, 3/28-29 at 8PM | MFA Concert: Work by Kerrie-Jean Hudson
april
FRI - SAT, 4/4-5 at 8PM | MFA Concert: Work by Julia Edwards and Sara Geffert
**FRI - SAT, 4/11-12 at 8PM | MFA Concert: Work by Madeleine Reber
**FRI - SAT, 4/18-19 at 8PM | MFA Concert: Work by Jen Guy
FRI - SAT, 4/25 at 8PM, 4/26 at 2PM and 8PM | Departmental Concert
may
FRI - SAT, 5/2 at 8PM, 5/3 at 2PM and 8PM | BFA Senior Thesis Concert
Topical Outline:
This is a loose outline of the shape of this course. We may take more or less time on particular subjects as needed, but these are the domains we will explore. I will give dates readings are due a couple weeks in advance and I will post those dates on blackboard as they arise so that you will have access to them.
Section One 1/14-2/6
Hip Hop back to Capoeira
Section Two 2/6-2/29
Traditional African tracing the Diaspora through Tap and Swing
Section Three 3/5- 3/28
Court Dance into Ballet through Europe
Section Four 3/29- 4/14
Modern Dance and its dialogue with Ballet
Section Five 4/14-4/23
Modern into Contemporary
Section Six 4/25-5/5
Dance for the Camera, Community dance, WhatÕs now?
I will add ten points to your lowest grade if you take steps to improve your skills as a student. You must provide some evidence of your attendance at two on-campus events (notes from the Writing Center, materials from library tours, programs and tickets for concerts) along with a brief written outline of what you learned. All extra credit is due 5/5/08.
These credits are earned by:
-- Going to the Office of Cultural Affairs or an event they sponsor (program must be provided)
-- Attending extra dance concerts (program and ticket must be provided- if outside of the UNCG Dance Department please double check that it will count before attending)
--Visiting the writing center for a written assignment for the course
--Attending an extra Go Dance event program/ticket and short description must be turned in.
NOTE: You must attend two events for ten points extra credit. You will not receive five points for one event. It is all or nothing. NO OTHER EXTRA CREDIT IS OFFERED FOR THIS COURSE.