DCE 200.03

DANCE APPRECIATION

3/3 (3 semester hours/ 3 credits)

PREREQUISITES: none

FOR WHOM PLANNED: undergraduate students desiring General Education Core Fine Arts credit course and Global Marker credit. 

Spring 2008

Jarrell Hall (Tuesday) 9:30-10:45

HHP 306 (Thursday) 9:30-10:45

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION:

Ann Dils, ahdils@uncg.edu

Amanda Diorio, ardiorio@uncg.edu

Office Hours:  please make an appointment through email

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:

At the conclusion of this course, students should:

Demonstrate an understanding of dance as a means of creating, recreating, and expressing place. Among the places we will study this semester are sacred, social, and aesthetic spaces and social/political spaces such as cities, communities, and nations.

Demonstrate an understanding of dance as a means of global exchange. Among the exchanges we will study this semester are transferences of artistic practices and preferences, social preferences about bodies and movement, and identities.

Demonstrate familiarity with selected information about dance as practiced globally.

Demonstrate an ability to interpret and evaluate information and writing about dance in and from diverse global cultures.

Write and speak clearly and coherently about distinct global dance forms and cultures and their interconnections.

Demonstrate an increased ability to move and to use movement as an expressive medium

 

TEACHING STRATEGIES:  lectures, films, demonstrations, and practical dance experience.

 

Attendance:

The Dance Department requires an 80% participation rate to get credit for the course.  Because this class meets twice a week, you will be permitted three absences without penalty.  1/3 of a letter grade will be deducted for each absence incurred over the maximum absences allowed for this class.  Sitting and watching a class does not count as participation in the studio portion of class.  Two tardies equals one absence.  A tardy constitutes being more than five minutes late to class or leaving early. If you are more than five minutes late to class you will be asked to sit out from that section of class, but you will be expected to start participating in the next section of class that day. Non-participants will be asked to take written observations of the class. Two instances of non-participation counts as one absence. If you get injured please speak to either me or Ann immediately. After the sixth absence before March 19, you will be dropped from the class.

 

Assignments: 

Mid-term test—10%

Final Test—10%

Readings outlines, reading reflections and discussion points 20%

Participation grade—10%

Journals-10%

Choreography Project-20%

Movement Studies-10%

Personal Movement Essay - 10%

Concert Essay - 10 %

 

EVALUATION METHODS:

Mid-term test—10%

Final Test—10%

Test are made from a variety of questions including matching, fill in the blank and essay.  The final is not cumulative.

 

Readings outlines and reflections- 20% Discussion on January 31 and February 14, Presentations on February 5 and 19

During the semester your class will serve as Òfirst respondersÓ for selected readings.  On the Thursday before a particular reading is due, your group will complete an outline of a faculty-selected reading and a list of discussion questions.  Your outline and questions will be shared across the classes (due Thursday at midnight), become part of the lecture the following Tuesday, and become part of our classesÕ collected study materials.  The questions you pose will be discussed in class (be prepared to participate in discussion!). Selected questions will return again on the midterm and final. There are four readings groups in our section: 1, 2, 3, 4.

 

Participation grade—10%

Your participation in class on Tuesdays and Thursdays will be observed.  Proper participation includes having a postitive attitude towards activities and asignments, being an active part of class and lecture discussions and beinging energy to the dance classes.

 

Journals-10% Due Every Week

Each week you will be assigned a Journal entry that you will post on blackboard reflecting on your work in class on the previous Thursday. Each entry will be graded out of ten total points.  Every week I will tell you what you will be reflecting about either a reading, a class, or a movement study.  You should talk about: what you enjoyed, what you found difficult, if you have done anything like this before, what you learned from the movement etc. 

 

Choreography Project-20% Projects will be performed in class on April 10

Students will be assigned to a group and given class time to work on a choreography project. Working together, your group must choose a piece of music and come up with a minimum of two minutes of practiced movement that reflects the music. It must be clean and appropriate for the assignment. There is a great deal of freedom for this project; please be respectful in choosing movements, music, text, props, costume, etc. Since there is a limited amount of class time for this project; your group may need to schedule outside rehearsals. A detailed assignment description and rubric will be given before you begin the project. You will not be graded on your technique, but on execution of the assignment, clarity, collaboration, and writing. You will also be required to write a two to three page reflection about your creative process including how the group worked together and how the dance came into being.

 

Movement Studies-10%

We will be doing several in class movement studies where you will be put into groups and you will create short phrases or dances using the movements we learned in class. 

 

Concert Essay - 10 % Due March 18

You will attend one of two Dance Concerts held by the UNCG Department of Dance listed bellow. Write a three to five page description, discussion, and interpretation of the performance and the relevant issues you perceive surrounding the work. Describe your opinions of the music.  Talk about the overall atmosphere of the performance and the theatre.  How did the show leave you feeling? Did the show make you feel any different about dance? Describe an image that you remember from one of the pieces. Try and get your tickets in advance at the University Box office in the EUC.  The concert being sold out is not an excuse.

Prime Movers Concert

Friday February 15 at 8pm and Saturday February 16 at 2 and 8pm

Emily Quinn's Thesis Concert

Friday February 2 at 8pm and Saturday March 1 at 8pm

 

All assignments must be 12 point font and double spaced.

 

Grading Scale:

97-100 =A+

  93-96 = 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-

  59 = F

 

TOPICAL OUTLINE:

Tuesday, January 15 and Thursday, January 17: Course introductions

Tuesday, January 22 and Thursday, January 24: Strategies for watching dance

DANCE TRADITIONS

Tuesday, January 29: Dancing Community: European folk dance, court dance, Romantic ballet, Classical ballet  (excerpts from Swan Lake)

Thursday, January 31: Ballet Technique Class and Reading Discussion

Tuesday, February 5: African dance and Reading Presentation

         ÒSundiata, An Epic Tale of Old MaliÓ by D.T. Niane (pp. 23-29)

ÒMande MusicÓ by Eric Charry (pp. 31-40)

ÒAfrican Dance: Transition and ContinuityÓ by Robert W. Nicholls (pp. 55-70)

Thursday, February 7:  African Technique Class

DANCED MODERNISM

Tuesday, February 12 : Indian dance—from religions tradition to national treasure

Thursday, February 14: Story Telling Movement Study and Reading Discussion

Prime Movers Dance Concert Friday and Saturday

Tuesday, February 19: Modernism and Reading Presentation

         Modern dance in Germany and the United States

         ÒThe Negro Dance: Under European EyesÓ by André Levinson (pp. 85-90)

         ÒThe New BalletÓ by Michel Fokine (p. 147-150)

         Excerpt from Cubism and Culture by Mark Antliff and Patricia Leighten (pp. 151-154)

         ÒIlluminating the Dark HeartÓ:  Expressionism, Primitivism, and the influence of Mary Wigman on American Modern Dance by Mary Anne Santos Newhall (pp. 291-310)

         ÒRuth St. Denis and IndiaÕs Dance RenaissanceÓ by Uttara Asha Coorlawala (pp. 311-328)

Thursday, February 21: Limon/Modern Technique Class

APPROACHING THE CONTEMPORARY

Tuesday, February 26: contemporary ballet: BalanchineÕs The Four Temperaments, Matthew BourneÕs Swan Lake

         ÒStripping the Emperor: The Africanist Presence in American Concert DanceÓ by Brenda Dixon Gottschild (pp. 249-258)

         ÒThe Balanchine WomanÓ by Ann Daly (pp. 259-268)

Thursday, February 28: Ballet Movement Study

Emily Quinn Thesis Concert Friday and Saturday

Tuesday, March 4 and Thursday, March 6:  MIDTERM

Tuesday, March 11 and Thursday, March 13: SPRING BREAK

Tuesday, March 18 and (March 19 Last Day to Drop) Thursday, March 20:     contemporary dance in India

Sex Appeal and Cultural Liberty: A Feminist Inquiry into MTV IndiaÓ by Jocelyn Cullity and Prakash Younger (pp. 363-382)

Tuesday, March 25: contemporary dance in g/local communities

The following readings will be spread over the next several classes:

ÒGlobalisation Makes Art BlandÓ by Thea Narissa Barnes (pp. 91-94)

ÒFlash AfriqueÓ by Thomas Hahn, Jochen Schmidt, and Ayoko Mensah (pp. 95-101)

ÒDancing the UnsayableÓ by Ann Daly (pp. 269-271)

ÒVibrating with Taipei: Cloud Gate Dance Theatre and National KinesthesiaÓ by SanSan Kwan (pp. 335-344)

ÒThe Syncratism of Tai Chi and BachÓ by Anna Kisselgoff (pp. 345-346)

            Other readings to be announced

 

Thursday, March 27: Improvisation class

Tuesday, April 1: contemporary dance in g/local communities (cont.)

Thursday, April 3: Rehearsal day for choreographic projects

 Tuesday, April 8: contemporary dance in g/local communities (cont.)

Thursday, April 10: Choreographic Project Showing

Tuesday, April 15: Hip Hop Lecture 1

 ÒWho Copped My Hip-HopÓ by Eric Prideaux (pp. 383-386)

ÒGlobal Breakdancing and the Intercultural BodyÓ by Halifu Osumare (pp. 387-401)

Thursday, April 17: Hip Hop Technique Class

Tuesday, April 22: Hip Hop Lecture 2

Thursday, April 24: Hip Hop Movement Study

Tuesday, April 29 and Thursday, May 1 (LAST DAY OF CLASSES, Tuesday, exam review)

Thursday, May 8: 12 Noon–3:00 P.M. FINAL

 

Good Student Credit

I will add ten points to your final 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 (i.e. notes from the Writing Center, materials from library tours, ticket stub, etc.) along with a brief written outline of what you learned.

These credits are earned by:

 

-- Attending library orientations or tours (these are only given at the beginning of the semester and must be scheduled in advance.  See an instructor to set up a tour!!)

-- Attending study skills sessions

-- Going to the Writing Center for consultation on Dance Appreciation essays

-- Attending extra dance concerts (program and ticket must be provided)

-- Attending an on campus dance rehearsal (be sure to get permission in advance from faculty or student

    that is leading rehearsal, and a note stating your presence)

 

You must attend two events for ten points extra credit.

 

NO OTHER EXTRA CREDIT IS OFFERED FOR THIS COURSE.

 

ADDITIONAL REQUIRMENETS:

Please turn off your cell phone or beeper when you enter class.

Please come to class on Thursdays in attire appropriate for physical activity. No jeans or skirts.  You are not allowed to wear street shoes on the theaters dance floor.

To find out about the Writing Center:  http://www.uncg.edu/eng/writingcenter/

ACADEMIC HONOR CODE:

To read the UNCG Academic Integrity Policy:

http://academicintegrity.uncg.edu/complete/

 

                                                     

SEVEN PRINCIPLES FOR GOOD PRACTICE IN UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION

by Arthur W. Chickering and Zelda F. Gamson

From the Wingspread Journal-- special edition

SUMMARY Following is a brief summary of the Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education as compiled in a study supported by the American Association of Higher education, the Education Commission of States, and The Johnson Foundation.

1. GOOD PRACTICE ENCOURAGES STUDENT FACULTY CONTACT
requent student-faculty contact in and out of classes is the most important factor in student motivation and involvement. Faculty concern helps students get through rough times and keep on working. Knowing a few faculty members well enhances students' intellectual commitment and encourages them to think about their own values and future plans.

2. GOOD PRACTICE ENCOURAGES COOPERATION AMONG STUDENTS
earning is enhanced when it is more like a team effort than a solo race. Good learning, like good work, is collaborative and social, not competitive and isolated. Working with others often increases involvement in learning. Sharing one's own ideas and responding to other's reactions improves thinking and deepens understanding.

3. GOOD PRACTICE ENCOURAGES ACTIVE LEARNING
earning is not a spectator sport. Students do not learn much just sitting in classes listening to teachers, memorizing pre-packaged assignments and spitting out answers. They must talk about what they are learning, write about it, relate it to past experiences, and apply it to their daily lives. They must make what they learn part of themselves.

4. GOOD PRACTICE GIVES PROMPT FEEDBACK
nowing what you know and don't know focuses learning. Students need appropriate feedback on performance to benefit from courses. In getting started, students need help in assessing existing knowledge and competence. In classes, students need frequent opportunities to perform and receive suggestions for improvement. At various points during college, and at the end, students need chances to reflect on what they have learned, what they still need to know, and how to assess themselves.

5. GOOD PRACTICE EMPHASIZES TIME ON TASK
ime plus energy equals learning. There is no substitute for time on task. Learning to use one's time well is critical for student and professional alike. Students need help in learning effective time management. Allocating realistic amounts of time means effective learning for students and effective teaching for faculty. How an institution defines time expectations for students, faculty and administrators, and other professional staff can establish the basis for high performance for all.

6. GOOD PRACTICE COMMUNICATES HIGH EXPECTATIONS
xpect more and you will get it. High expectations are important for everyone -- for the poorly prepared, for those unwilling to exert themselves, and for the bright and well motivated. Expecting students to perform well becomes a self-fullfilling prophecy when teachers and institutions hold high expectations of themselves and make extra efforts.

7. GOOD PRACTICE RESPECTS DIVERSE TALENTS AND WAYS OF LEARNING
here are many roads to learning. People bring different talents and styles of learning to college. Brilliant students in the seminar room may be all thumbs in the lab or art studio. Students rich in hands-on experience may not do so well in theory. Students need to opportunity to show their talents and learn in ways that work for them. Then they can be pushed to learning in new ways that do not come so easily.