Approved by Faculty Senate March 30, 2009
THAD 255 MODERN DANCE II
Winona State University Course Syllabus Spring 2008
TR 12:30 p.m.-1:50 p.m.- Phelps Dance Studio
Instructor: Dustyn Martincich Email:
Office : PAC 250 Phone: 507-454-5780
Hours: T 11-12, 2-5, R 11-12, 2-5, F 9-10, 11-12
*Also by appointment
UNIVERSITY STUDIES
This course satisfies the Fine and Performing Arts Core of WSU’s University Studies program. It includes requirements and learning activities that promote students’ abilities to:
a. Explore the language skills and materials of an artistic discipline;
b. Use methods of an arts practitioner to actively engage in creative processes or interpretive performances;
c. Understand the cultural and gender contexts of artistic expression;
d. Engage in reflective analysis of their own art work or interpretive performance and respond to the work of others.
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION: This mixed level course (advanced beginning – advanced) is a further exploration of the theory, technique, terminology, and history of modern dance as a performing art. The focus of expressive movement training is enhanced through experiences with improvisation and choreography. Grade only. Each level may be repeated once for credit. Prerequisite: Modern Dance I or permission of instructor. This course satisfies the requirements in Fine and Performing Arts.
This course includes requirements and learning activities that promote students’ abilities to:
a. Explore the language, skills, and materials of an artistic discipline: Through the knowledge and practice of advanced beginning through advanced level modern dance technique and improvisation, students will become increasingly articulate, technically and artistically, in various modern dance styles. They will become fluent in modern dance vocabulary, in concepts of space, time, shape, energy, and terminology (spoken and executed) and will deepen their knowledge of differing and evolving aesthetics within the art form. They will more fully integrate principles of alignment, and will continue to deepen their physical awareness through repetition of movements in tandem with guided imagery and attention.
b. Use methods of an arts practitioner to actively engage in creative process or interpretive performances: Students will have the experience of learning, rehearsing and performing in class original modern dance phrases choreographed by the instructor. Students will, in addition, create and perform original modern dance sequences based on vocabulary and aesthetics presented in class or researched by the student. Students will select an arrangement of movements in combination with music, costuming and clear intent to create an artistic whole. The compositions will be performed for the class as midterm and final projects.
c. To understand the cultural and gender contexts of artistic expression: Through video and discussion, students will be exposed to the history of modern dance and the changing roles of men and women throughout its evolution. Students will view dances that are products of different cultures and historical periods, providing a context for appreciating the roots of the discipline. They will, in addition, complete a research paper on an important figure in modern dance history.
d. Engage in reflective analysis of their own work or interpretive performance and respond to the work of others: Students will view, discuss, and respond in written form to diverse dances experienced through video and/or live professional performance. Students will discuss projects and respond to peer projects through written critiques. Students will also reflect upon and assess, in written form, their own experience of learning, both technically and creatively, through journaling.
Course activities and assignments that address these Fine and Performing Arts Requirements will be identified in the syllabus by letter (a), (b), (c), (d).
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1) To continue learning and sharpening concepts of modern dance, including movement and anatomical terminology; to develop stylistically, becoming aware of personal aesthetic choices and broadening the range of interests and preferences. (a), (b), (c), (d)
2) To become more fluent in the concepts of space, time, shape, and energy in composition and technique, using these concepts to enhance performance abilities and stage presence (a), (b)
3) To develop and perform modern combinations and phrases with the knowledge of compositional elements, awareness of personal aesthetic, and a sense of risk and ingenuity; to create work with production materials in mind, including costuming and music (a), (b),
4) To articulate written and discursive reflections and responses with others in class; to enhance constructively critical skills when viewing peer work, as well as video and concert performances (a), (d)
5) To consider the cultural and historical roots and influences that affect creative processes in modern dance; to gain exposure to divergent artistic viewpoints and theories including contemporary choreographers and influences of world dance (c)
COURSE CONTENT AND STUCTURE
Material is presented by means of demonstration, individual correction, discussion, and supplemental resources such as video. A typical class starts with a warm-up and floor work, some conditioning, traveling across the floor, and then center work. Structured improvisation will also be employed as a way to explore rhythms with movement, as well as compositional skills. Solo and group creative movement composition will be a large part of performance projects. Video will be used to record student progress and provide feedback on technique and expression as well as for documenting student development.
*Physical contact with your fellow students is part of this course. If you have reservations or discomforts regarding this, please let me know.
COURSE OUTLINE
I. Warm-Up
a. Centered and breathing
b. Floorwork and guided imagery
c. Stretching and conditioning
d. Plies and swings exploring joint action and release of weight
e. Tendues, degages
f. Simple locomotive phrases experimenting with weight shift and balance
g. Suspension, momentum with fall, recovery
h. Control, dynamics with contract and release
II. Traveling phrases
a. Allegro: quick footwork emphasizing lightness, clarity, and alignment
b. Off-center exercises, exploring levels, especially ease of motion and moving from standing to floor to standing
c. Spiral and lateral turns
d. Grande Allegro- running, leaping, jumping
III. Center work
a. Adagio, emphasizing flow and balance through breath and extension, as well as presentation
b. Partner and group structured improvisation exploring space, time, energy, and shape
c. Combinations emphasizing the integration of ideas, as well as performance
IV. Additional learning experiences
a. Peer evaluation, emphasizing the student’s role as audience and performer; improving the ability to articulate views of dance, choreography, and the ability to give and receive feedback
b. Viewing and discussing videos of contemporary U.S. and European choreography and performances
c. Exploring modern dance through its history and evolution as an art form
d. Exploring issues and styles emerging in contemporary dance
e. Creating original modern compositions
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Attendance: Attendance is mandatory. This is a performance-based course where much of the work requires your active participation in class. Attendance and participation means you are in class ON TIME, properly dressed, and fully engaged in the day’s activities. You are allowed TWO absences before your grade drops. Every absence after two will lower your attendance grade by FIVE points, and therefore your total grade as well. Illness is not an excused absence, even with a doctor’s note. **Students are responsible to notify the instructor via email or vmail of an absence and to review class material missed with peers before the next class. Email will not be checked between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m.
Injury Policy: Credit for all technique classes is contingent upon participation. If a student has or incurs an injury in the course of study resulting in more than a 1 week layoff from dancing, it is the student’s responsibility to consult with the instructor as to creative options for the learning process of withdrawal from the course.
Tardiness: Each tardy less than 10 minutes equals ½ an absence. If you are more than 10 minutes late without having notified the instructor in advance, it will be counted as a full absence. **Be sure to check with the instructor after class if you are late to be sure your attendance was recorded.
*If you leave more than 5 minutes early without notifying the instructor, it will count as a ½ absence.
Active Observation Without Participation: You are responsible for assessing your own state of health in consultation with your doctor. If you are unable to dance, you may actively observe 2 classes without participating. This active observation may include notating movement, drawing floor patterns, giving peer feedback, journaling, etc. The written document should be handed to the instructor after class.
Make-up Classes and Extra Credit: Students are encouraged to notify an instructor if a class is to be missed. Students are allowed 2 make-up classes in another dance style or section. Arrangements must be requested via email through outside instructors ahead of time, and cleared by your instructor of this course. Be sure to introduce yourself to the instructor of your make-up class and explain your intention for attending. Obtain a signature from the make-up class instructor with the date of attendance, and hand it in with a 1-2 page typed written summary of what you experienced in class, and how stylistically it compares to your studies in this course. Both the signature and the paper are due one week after the make-up class is attended until April 17th. Extra credit includes attending a non-required performance, lecture, class, event, and writing a 1-2 page response. Check with the instructor. Each extra credit is worth 1 point, for up to 2 points that will be counted toward your final grade.
Assignments: Occasional assignments may be given through the half semester. These assignments are counted under your participation grade. Emailed assignments are NOT accepted.
Performance Response: Submit a 2-3 page response paper, including ticket and program, after attending Dancescape 2008, February 14-16th, 7:30 p.m. and February 16th at 2 p.m. See Performance Response Guidelines before writing this response (posted separately). Paper due: Tuesday, February 19th. *If you cannot attend this concert, please submit a written excuse by Thursday, January 31st.
Midterm Performance Project: 2-3 minute composition, 3-5 people, no musical accompaniment. Composition should be inspired by an important topic in the world (political, social, environmental, spiritual, etc.). Find an article written regarding your topic (one article per person) and write a response. Perhaps your composition can draw from some of the words you use. 1-2 page project response will be due on your process and performance.
Written Proposal, Groups, and Article Response Due: Thursday, January 31st
Informal Showing and Discussion: Thursday, February 21st and Tuesday, February 26th
Reflection Paper Due: Thursday, February 28th
Final Performance Project: 2-3 minute composition, 2 people, musical accompaniment can be used. Composition should be inspired by a work of art. Venture to the WSU gallery or the Marine Art Museum to study a work of art, and write a response to a painting. You may choose two different paintings if they share a relationship for you. Your 1-2 page reflection on process and product should accompany your end of semester self-assessment.
Written Proposal, Duets, and Art Response Due: Tuesday March 25th
Informal Showing and Discussion: Thursday, April 17th and Tuesday, April 22nd
Reflection paper due with self-assessment: Thursday, April 24th
Performance Evaluations: A midterm and final combination will be taught in class and performed on the given days. These assignments give you a chance to perform material learned in class for your peers, as well as give the instructor an opportunity to assess your progress in the class. The combinations will be taught a few weeks prior, but it will be your responsibility to practice outside of class. Evaluations will be based on execution of the combination, effort, and improvement, as well as performance.
*Midterm: Thursday, February 28th
*Final: Thursday, April 24rd.
Project/Self Assessment: You will write a written assessment of your progress through the course. Highlights should include a reflection on your project processes, a reflection on what you learned and what perhaps has peaked your interest for the future. The paper should be 2-3 pages maximum, double spaced, 12 pt., Arial or Times New Roman, 1 inch margins. Due Thursday, April 24rd.
ACADEMIC HONESTY: All work produced by a student must represent that student’s personal effort, unless the instructor specifically permits or requires that it be done by a group. Papers and other work which a student prepares for class will contain only the student’s own words or, if the material originated with someone else, will enclose the quoted words in quotation marks and supply the complete bibliographical information in a footnote or endnote. Summaries or paraphrases of the words and ideas of other people must also be documents in this fashion. Work that does not exhibit these characteristics is a form of academic dishonesty known as plagiarism. This will result in strict sanctions including an automatic F for the course.
WRITING CENTER INFO: Call 457-5505 or email for appointments and information and visit the Writing Center website for writing resources and the “Online Tutor” service.
DISABILITY ACCOMODATION: If you have a documented disability and wish to discuss academic accommodations, please contact the instructor as soon as possible.
CLASS ATTIRE AND CONDUCT
Appropriate attire is to be worn to every class. This will be enforced because the proper attire enhances your ability to move freely, as well as help you feel comfortable and confident to do so. Acceptable attire is: leotard, tights (footless), tank tops, T-shirts, sweat pants, other loose pants, leggings, or yoga pants. No baggy clothing (obstructs the body line). No shoes, although you may wear modern/lyrical slippers or socks. Hair is to be secured away from your face. No gum chewing. Please turn your cell phones “off” or “silent” (not “vibrate”). If you are not dressed appropriately for class, you may watch class, but you will be docked participation for the day.
Participation will be based on attitude in class as well. Be supportive of other students in the class. Having an open and patient mind with the material and the varying levels of students is a must. Students are responsible for tracking their own attendance, and all content covered in class, including retention of material from week to week. Be prepared for class by practicing material before you arrive. When you arrive to class, warm-up and ask your peers or instructor any questions about the material. Once class begins, maintain a focused and attentive concentration on material, participating fully in every aspect of class (exercises, written assignments, projects, and discussions.)
*You are responsible for performing at your own level