Course
Title: Tap
Dance
Credits: 1.0
Prerequisites: None
For Whom
Planned: For dance majors, minors, theater
majors and non-majors
Time
& Location: TR 3:30-4:45 PM HHP Studio 221B
Instructor: Caitlin
Spencer
Office: 220F,
Dance Building (HHP)
Phone: 334-4064
Office
Hrs: By
appointment
Email: acspence@uncg.edu
Course
Description (different from catalog):
This
course provides a continuation of rhythm tap technique through traditional
movement vocabulary, contemporary forms and improvisation. Students will become
more familiar with the historical context of tap dance today and music
vocabulary throughout their regular practice of tap dance.
1. Grasp
and retain sequences of simple exercises and combinations.
2. Breathe
appropriately and as needed while moving.
3.
Anticipate the beat when required.
4. Maintain
energy/endurance throughout each combination and a full class.
5.
Demonstrate commitment/responsibility as appropriate in and out of
class.
6. Demonstrate
awareness and attention to studio/classroom procedures.
7.
Demonstrate dynamic alignment-as appropriate to exercises/combinations in the
class and involving awareness of center.
8.
Move on the beat when required.
9. Show
appropriate use of the body as called for in an exercise/combination.
10. Show
command of skills involving initiation of movement.
11. Show
command of skills involving weight shift.
12. Fulfill
the time/counts given for each part of the movement.
13.
Demonstrate attributes of/qualities in movement as specified.
14.
Demonstrate clarity of body line in simple movement combinations.
15.
Demonstrate clarity of spatial direction in simple movement
combinations.
16. Perform
set movement with confidence/full engagement.
17. Respond
spontaneously and imaginatively to improvisational prompts, with
confidence/full engagement, and some degree of invention-and/or demonstrate
creative spontaneity within given technique
Excellence
in dance artistry is a matter of developing a high degree of skill in each area
and integrating these skills during the performance of movement.
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 1-12, and (b) make recommendations for improvement in achieving learning
goals 1-12*;
3.
Provide
a written assessment on 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.
Provide
opportunities for you to assess your own and othersÕ progress toward the actual
achievement of the learning goals;
* 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:
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 that
I provide in class;
3.
Learn
the movement material as quickly as you can through observation and practice;
4.
Perform
the movement material as accurately as possible each time you are called upon
to do so;
5.
Reflect
in writing as assigned on your progress toward and actual achievement of the
learning goals;
6.
Observe
other dancers and assess their performance as assigned.
I will
assess your progress toward and your actual achievement of the learning goals
through:
1.
Daily
oral feedback to you and/or others on work done in class;
2.
Written
final evaluations of your achievement using the Dance Technique Feedback
sheet;
3.
Oral
and/or written feedback of the accuracies and inaccuracies I perceive in your
written self-assessments and/or journal.
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.
In calculating the achievement component of the final grade,
your mastery of the learning goals will be assessed to produce a final score
that is aligned with grades as follows:
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
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 maximum
absences allowed for this class (3).
Topical
Outline:
Warm-up
exercises and combinations designed to enable your achievement specifically of
learning goals 1-4 will remain fairly consistent over the course of the
semester. Other exercises and
combinations will be taught throughout the semester with various length, speed,
and rhythmic and qualitative complexity.
Required Readings/Videos: See
Blackboard under Course Documents.
Academic
Honor Code: Refer
to UNCG Undergraduate Bulletin or see
http://saf.dept.edu/studiscp/Honor.html for more information
Attendance
Policy
Grades and
Mastery of Material can improve only with regular attendance and active
participation. You are allowed THREE (3) ABSENCES. Any extra absence will
lower your final grade 1/3 of a letter grade. Long-term injuries have to be discussed
with the instructor and be treated accordingly. 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+".
Observation,
Participation, and Lateness Policy
If you
arrive more than ten minutes late, please sit down and watch. If you are less
than 10 minutes late, please quietly join 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.
Arriving more than ten minutes late or leaving more than ten
minutes early three times will count as an absence and will take your grade
down 1/3 of a letter.
When
injured or ill (but not contagious), you may still be counted as present if you
attend class and record observations*. However, this will NOT be counted as a
day of participation in the class. The Dance Department requires an 80%
participation rate. Students must dance in 24 out of the 30 meetings in classes
that meet twice a week. Students who do not meet the participation
requirement for any reason will need to repeat the course.
*Observations:
During observation, take notes and actively observe class. Notes should go
beyond just listing what the combinations were. You must complete the
following:
Your role as an observer is both teacher and student. 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
tap dance?
Special
Cases
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.
Make
Up Class
Students
may make up THREE (3) classes by taking another tap technique class of the same
level. Do not wait until the end of the semester to take your make-up class.
Other make-up options are available on Blackboard under ÒCourse Documents.Ó
Class
Conduct
Please
be respectful of your fellow classmates, the instructor, and our art. I encourage you to ask relevant
questions during class. Please, no excessive chatting, socializing, or other
distracting behavior. 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.
The Dance
Department requires an 80% participation rate (24 out of 30 class meetings), in
order to earn credit for a technique course. If you do not meet the
participation requirement for any reason you will need to repeat the
course. Sitting and
watching a class does not count as participation. (i.e. you could not miss 6 classes and
observe 2 and still pass the class)
Additional
Requirements:
1.
To be
free of distracting items. Please
do not bring food, drinks [covered water bottles are a good idea], gum, or
street shoes into the studio.
Kindly turn off your cell phones during class time.
2.
To
give one's full effort and attention to class exercises and assignments.
3.
To
contribute to a respectful, non-competitive and supportive learning
environment.
4.
To be
respectful of your own process, that of your fellow student and the instructor.
5.
To be
prepared to work intelligently and to your full potential in each class.
6.
To
stay actively engaged throughout the entire meeting time.
Shoes: Can be purchased at studentÕs
choice of vendor. Discount Dance Supply and Carolina Dancewear (New Garden Road
off Bryan Blvd.) carry good selections. Bloc, Capezio, Leo are all fine
choices. No split-sole or jazz/tap shoes. Tap shoes take time to be Òbroken
in,Ó so please account for this if you find new shoes to be stiff.
Classes / Performances / Dance Opportunities
Check
Announcements on Blackboard. Attendance may count towards make-up of missed
classes. Check with Caitlin in advance.
Rhythm
Tap Classes in Area:
Caitlin
Spencer
Greensboro Cultural Arts Center, Dance Studio 2 (3rd
floor)
Beginning: Mondays 6:30-7:30 pm
Continuing: Mondays 7:30-8:30 pm
$10/class
Gene
Medler, Robin Vail
For
schedule, fees and dates:
http://www.balletschoolofchapelhill.com
Mimi
Benjamin
For
schedule, fees and dates:
http://www.ninthstreetdance.com/