COURSE SYLLABUS – IMPROVISATION – SPRING, 2008
COURSE NUMBER: DCE 217
COURSE TITLE: Exploration and Improvisation in Dance
CREDITS: 2
PREREQUISITES/CO-REQUISITES: Sophomore, junior or senior status and Dance major, minor, or concentration, or departmental permission.
FOR WHOM PLANNED: Dance majors, minors, and concentrations.
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION: Eluza Maria Santos
220B HHP Building
334-3262
emsantos@uncg.edu
Office hours: posted outside instructor's office
INSTRUCTORÕS ASSISTANT: Madeleine Reber
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Guided exploration in the elements of dance for the creative development of personal movement repertoire, spontaneous group interaction, and choreographic and movement observation skills.
STUDENT LEARNING GOALS:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
Explore ideas for movements of the human body, based on a variety of concepts and
practices.
Find and notice creative solutions for spontaneous bodily motion, individually and through group interaction.
Use concepts of Laban Movement Analysis as a stimulus for movement explorations, improvisations, observations, and descriptions.
Engage in improvisation as a process of creating and performing at the same time.
Perceive, describe, discuss, and contextualize movement explorations while respecting
the points of view of other students in class.
TEACHING STRATEGIES:
Experiential activities to explore movement ideas, structured improvisations based on ideas explored, movement observations and descriptions (in class and out of class), group discussions after experiential activities and structured improvisations.
REQUIRED TEXTS/READINGS/REFERENCES: There is no required text; however, the instructor will provide handouts pertinent to the course, especially to inform the students and guide them in their work with movement analysis.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Participation in and completion of all activities/assignments of the course
(in class and out of class)
Completion of 3-5 out-of-class assignments
Journal documentation of classes and assignments
Written self-evaluations (one at midterm, one at the end of the semester)
EVALUATION METHODS AND GUIDELINES FOR ASSIGNMENTS:
The following criteria will be used to assess the growth/accomplishment of the students in terms of the learning goals for the course:
Open-minded approach when exploring ideas for movement
Depth of exploration in the different sources for movement presented in class
Willingness to experiment fully and take creative risks
Integration/connection with the whole improvisational structure (group interaction)
Comprehension of the fundamentals and the language of Laban Movement Analysis as
applied in improvisation, movement observations, and descriptions
Performance attitude while improvising
Awareness of and respect for the different points of view of individuals in the class when
observing, describing, discussing, and contextualizing movement explorations
Full involvement/substantive participation in all activities, including class discussions
Grading will be based primarily on instructor's observations of the work and growth of students throughout the entire semester. In addition, students will write self-evaluations at midterm and at the end of the semester, assessing their own progress in the course.
Participation in and completion of all course work 60 points
Thoughtfulness/clarity in out-of-class assignments 20 points
Journal 10 points
Self-evaluations 10 points (5 each)
Total 100 points = A
At midterm, the instructor will inform the students about their progress in the course. She is also available to meet at other times during the semester to discuss course related issues.
Out-of-class assignments will focus on movement observations, descriptions and analyses, using methods of Laban Movement Analysis. However, there may be out-of-class assignments based on other improvisational ideas/concepts explored in class.
The journal should include documentation/recording of work done in class and all assignments. The instructor will collect the journals at midterm and at the end of the semester to assess the accuracy and thoroughness of documentation.
Note: For each assignment not completed, the final grade will be lowered by 1/3 of a letter.
TOPICAL OUTLINE:
Experiential Activities Based on Kinesthetic and Inner Problem-Solving Situations, and Elements External to the Body (A Multi-exploratory Approach):
Bodily motion, movement qualities, use of energy, use of space
Rhythms, sound, music
Inner feelings, sensations, emotions
Person-to-person relationships
The activation of the senses
Visual images, experimentation with objects, media
Spoken and written word
Abstract symbols
Other sources for movement explorations
Movement Analysis (Based on the System Developed by Rudolf Laban):
The what of the movement: exploration of individual body parts, several body parts, body parts in opposition, etc.
The where of the movement: exploration of personal space (Kinesphere), general space (Shared Space), actual and virtual spaces, shapes, directions, levels, orientation in space based on the Octahedron/Dimensional Cross, the Cube/Diagonal Cross, the Icosahedron, etc.
The how of the movement: motion factors (weight, space, time, flow), shaping factors (shape qualities, body shapes, modes of shape change), phrasing, etc.
Basic application of movement analysis:
Introduction to symbology for motif writing; the process of movement observation, description, analysis, and interpretation.
WhatÕs happening?
Where and how is it happening?
What does the movement mean? Why?
ACADEMIC HONOR CODE:
Students are expected to comply with the Academic Honor Code. Please refer to the UNCG Undergraduate Bulletin.
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Students are strongly encouraged not to miss any class. Being a studio/movement course, improvisation leads to the development of particular skills, which can only be achieved through consistent class work.
Students are expected to be in the studio and ready to begin on time. When late for class, students need to tell the instructor, at the end of class, that they were late - 2 tardies will turn into 1 absence. Two (2) absences are allowed. After that, the final grade is brought down by 1/3 of a letter for each absence. Occasional personal situations, including illness, injury, emergency, and class observation, will be dealt with as they appear - Students should try to notify the instructor before class. Students should also keep in mind that too many class observations may affect the final grade for the course, at the discretion of the instructor.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT: N/A
Attention:
There may be a few guest teachers in this course throughout the semester (TBA).
Announcements for this class will be made via email.
Please remember that cellular phones should be off during class.
Let's enjoy our movement explorations, have fun while learning, and experience a great semester together!