DANC 100 Introduction to Dance

This course includes the study of Western concert dance as a cultural phenomenon, methods of training, evolution of dance aesthetics, and building a worldview through movement. European and American dance forms: Ballet, Modern/Contemporary Dance, Jazz Dance, Musical Theatre, and some Global Dance Forms are studied. Movement experiences includes floor and standing work to increase joint mobility, efficient movement patterns, core strength, proper support for dance movement, and the development of upper/lower connectivity. This course serves as a foundation to prepare the student for course work in Ballet, Modern Dance, and Jazz Dance. This course is designed for students with little or no previous dance experience.

Credits

3

Hours Weekly

3 hours weekly

Course Objectives

1. Identify and organize critical theories and concepts in relation to the creativity and aesthetics of classical and contemporary dance forms, integrating vocabulary, music, and movement.
2. Create original movement material by exploring classical and contemporary constructs as a framework for self-expression through dance.
3. Evaluate the role of dance in illuminating the human condition by critically analyzing various live and filmed dance performances.
4. Compare and contrast the confluence of creative and humanistic expression within social and cultural contexts of various dance forms relative to the aesthetics of Western concert dance.

Course Objectives

1. Identify and organize critical theories and concepts in relation to the creativity and aesthetics of classical and contemporary dance forms, integrating vocabulary, music, and movement.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Writing Assignments
   • Dance performance

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Critical and Creative Thinking Rubric

   Critical Thinking

   • CT1
2. Create original movement material by exploring classical and contemporary constructs as a framework for self-expression through dance.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Movement invention and creation activities, collaboration, rehearsal, transmission of ideas and/or meaning to others

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Critical and Creative Thinking Rubric

   Critical Thinking

   • CT2
3. Evaluate the role of dance in illuminating the human condition by critically analyzing various live and filmed dance performances.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • View and response assignments and embodied movements experiences.

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Critical and Creative Thinking Rubric

   Critical Thinking

   • CT3
4. Compare and contrast the confluence of creative and humanistic expression within social and cultural contexts of various dance forms relative to the aesthetics of Western concert dance.

   Learning Activity Artifact

   • Other (please fill out box below)
   • Written and discussion-based analysis of various live and filmed dance perfomances

   Procedure for Assessing Student Learning

   • Critical and Creative Thinking Rubric

   Critical Thinking

   • CT4