Spring 2012 Dance 40333-076
TCU SCHOOL FOR CLASSICAL & CONTEMPORARY DANCE
International Dance Forms
Spring 2012 Dance 40333-076
Mon & Wed 3:30- 4:50 pm
Meeting in Computer Lab and Studio A
Dr. Suki John
Assistant Professor of Dance
School for Classical & Contemporary Dance
Lowe Hall Room 218
Office hours T/R 12:30 -1:30 and by appointment
“Take responsibility for your own life in dance, now and in the future. Dig in and dig out what you need to know to do what you want to do.”
Jane Baas, Western Michigan University
INTENT:
This course aims to familiarize students with dance as a global phenomenon, and to help them imagine themselves as part of an inter-connected and rapidly changing art form. We examine the place of dance in cultural and social life, as a site of human knowledge and cross-cultural communication, and as a form that impacts and is impacted by constantly changing technology. As dancers may work internationally in many capacities, this class will stimulate creative entrepreneurship – encouraging students to create the work they want to do in dance -- at home and abroad.
INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS:
We meet in the computer lab and/or the dance studio to view and participate in
dances that are new to us in their geographical source, form, or media
>We read, watch, and research dance with an the international perspective
>We explore ways to disseminate dance internationally through forging new
connections, using new technology, and seeking opportunities for creative
entrepreneurship in the field
We welcome guests from the Neeley School of Business and from the North Texas
dance community.
THERE IS NO READING PACKET OR BOOK TO BE PURCHASED THIS SEMESTER. AS A CLASS WE MAY CHOOSE TO SPEND THAT MONEY ON AN OUTING TO VIEW WORLD DANCE.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
>Experience new dance forms in the studio
Seek and create dance opportunities beyond local boundaries
Examine varied ways in which dance is represented through technology
Take an entrepreneurial approach to community, building liaisons with local
practitioners of non-Western dance forms
Cultivate interview, pitch, and audition skills
>Take a proactive approach to job creation in the arts
> Discover a non-Western dance form you wish to pursue further.
STUDENTS WILL:
Demonstrate a strong sense of individuality and innovation, while alternating
leadership with team roles and responsibilities
>Create and share Websites, Interests Folders, Publicity Portfolios, and Webliographies
Research, create and apply for an international “dream job”
>Identify their passion, skills and potential for success in a particular aspect of dance
entrepreneurship
>Conduct market research and develop marketing strategies for an entrepreneurial
venture in dance
>Develop creative ideas and translate them into a viable business opportunity in the
dance world
>Participate in an “elevator pitch” competition
Actively participate in and learn about two non-Western dance forms
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1) Interests Folder
Each student will create an electronic Interests Folder which includes three areas of intriguing possible employment. Contents are organized separately under the three topics you choose. Research each area of interest for job descriptions, business ideas, consultancies, creative opportunities, and employment opportunities. Where are jobs listed? How do you find ads? Who hires? Where do dancers get information? These do not need to be jobs you are currently qualified to do!! The idea is to brainstorm possible ways to use your dance talent and passion in new settings. Be sure to note whenever internship opportunities are mentioned. Annotate websites briefly so their value is apparent to classmates. Interests Folders may be researched collectively, but be sure to add your name when posting Webliographies; they will be posted online as a class resource through eCollege.
Choose three (3) job descriptions for the Interests Folder, from at least two different categories (i.e. two from Performance, one from Teaching, etc.) Create, add, and expand on this list, and add new resources to the class Webliographies!
Performance: International performing opportunities; choreographic showcases and competitions (domestic/international); commercial choreographic opportunities; non-Western dance forms to perform locally
Private businesses: Studio ownership/operation; Dancewear; Website and resource development for dancers; New media for dance; New technology for dance; Press agents/managers for dance; Presenters/agents for touring companies working internationally and tours visiting from abroad; Business plans
Arts/Dance administration: Arts lobbyists; Grant writers; Company directors; Production, Technical/backstage work; How to write a press release; How to get the press to attend; Creating and operating non-profits; Arts administration; Management; Press Agencies; Artist agencies
Dance in education Teaching (certification, public schools, Pilates, Gyrotonics, Alexander Technique, etc.) International teaching opportunities; Community outreach; World dance in the schools, Dance therapy; Physical therapy; Dance journalism; Dance scholarship; Graduate School in preparation for…what kind of careers?
New Media: Dance in new forms; online competitions, dance dissemination and new technology projects; interactive projects; the next new thing!
Other:…add job descriptions that don’t fit above.
2) PR Portfolio
Create/update a website with basic information about your dance experience, abilities, strengths, and goals. Online contents must include (hard copies may be requested):
1. Three resumes
a. multi-page (for educational, entrepreneurial and creative gigs)
b. one page (can be glued to the back of a photo for auditions)
c. 100 word narrative bio (for a program or index)
2. Professional goals (be specific – say what kind of work you are seeking)
3. Statements of Artistry &/or Teaching Philosophy (this will depend on item #2)
3. Clear and concise list with description of classes you can teach or other
professional skill you are offering
(continued on next page)
PR Portfolio (cont.)
4. Streaming video (or link) of performance &/or choreography
5. Head and body shots (At least one of each)
3) Dream Job Project
For your “dream job project,” you will be asked to imagine, research, pinpoint and apply for an international dance job. This job may be advertised, or you may “invent” a job for a particular company/location in an actual setting where you feel you could do well. You will create an application for this job, including the appropriate materials from your Portfolio. Be sure to include:
1. A cover letter (even if none is requested, we will use one for class)
2. Appropriate resume or C.V. (tweaked if necessary)
3. DVD or streaming video if called for.
NOTE: If the materials require translation you will have them translated; if the DVD format is other than that used in the US, you will have your materials transferred. The application should be ready to send in its entirety by the date the project is due. Presentation will include a ‘mock interview’ by the class.
4) Venture in Dance
Building on your findings and materials, you will conduct market research and develop a business plan for an entrepreneurial venture in dance. This assignment will be presented to the class in all its parts and summarized in brief on paper (partners will hand in one hard copy of the completed assignment together). Except, that is, for #6, the Elevator Pitch, which will be staged in a live and hopefully lively competition. Find a partner and…go through ALL of the following steps. Be prepared to present, explain, and back up your ideas to your peers – just as if you were in a meeting with an interested party.
1. Research what currently exists in the local, national and international world of dance. What’s missing? What could you add to the picture? How might you fit in with a new concept? What is the social, political, or ethical contribution you want to make?
2. Analyze the market. What works? Who makes a profit, who breaks even and who goes under? How do not-for-profits compare to for-profit companies? What is appropriate for your venture? Are grants available for this sort of project?? What does your target market/company/client value the most?
3. Brainstorm. Creativity and Opportunity recognition. What can you do that no one else can? What are you willing to risk? Where would you like to go? What are you interested in learning, seeing, doing or contributing to the world? What does your idea bringing to the table… (revenue, press, artistic recognition, new enrollees)??
4. Business model. Use the webliography and Neeley sources to create a simple business model. How can you stack the odds in your favor? How will you build your ‘brand,’ develop your idea, market it?
5. Press Release - one page or less. How do you get the media to come to your event, cover your studio opening, photograph your class or interview you??
6. Elevator pitch. You find yourself in an elevator with ______(a person who can make a difference in your future). You have 90 seconds to convince them to take your call/ look at your video/read your C.V./have a meeting. What will you say??
This part of this assignment, the Elevator Pitch, will be part of a competition we will create with a business class from The Neeley School. Consider consulting your peers in the Business School to see how you might share ideas. They may want to back you one day!
You and your partner will present your Venture to a panel of experts – your peers – who will grill you on your idea. Be prepared to win them over!
5) Webliography
Update and share information on the webliography through the course of the semester. Submissions are organized by topic. Please share items that are useful, inspirational or interesting but not time stealers...even entertaining ones.
Participation/Philosophy/Practice
This class will be as successful as you make it. The value will be in in what you produce and the skills you choose to develop personally. I will not be keeping track of your readings or process but will grade your product; these results showcase skills that enhance your ability to create meaningful dance work for yourself at home and abroad. Your assignments will require that you take initiative to find the information and develop the ideas that will be most useful to you. You will have access to a lot of materials that you may use at your discretion. I have created a webliography that you will augment over the course of the semester. No one owns this information, so as a class you will get the most out of the experience by sharing what you know. I will do all I can to empower you, and I trust you will help each other, to create a sense of preparedness as you enter the international world of dance.
This course involves a variety of experiences including: embodiment, observation, research, and discussion. Participation means being present in class; being prepared and on time; contributing to discussion; and bringing your physical and intellectual commitment to every session.
The class will include exploration of two international dance forms. Class will take place in the computer lab and the studio; it will not always include dancing. Come prepared to share ideas, take notes and to move. Any appropriate dancewear will be accepted for studio sessions, although you may find you are more ‘inspired’ when dressed in keeping with the international form we are studying. Rehearsal skirts may be recommended for studio classes.
You will not be graded on your dancing; however unexcused absences or lack of focused participation during guest artist sessions will result in deductions from your final grade. Please turn off your phones; texting or inappropriate computer use in class will result in a 5 point deduction from your final grade.
Course Requirements / PercentageInterests Folder / 10%
Publicity Portfolio / 25%
Dream Job Project / 30%
Dance Venture / 30%
Webliography / 5%
Total 100%
This course syllabus was developed with the generous input of William “B.J.” Warren of Millikin University, Gina T’ai of Beloit College, The Coleman Foundation, and Michael Sherrod of the TCU Neeley School of Business.
CLASS OUTLINE
(subject to change as life and learning intervene)
1/18 Introduction to terms, ideas, methodology and goals.
1/23- 1/25 The Brave New World of Dance
Bring in ideas about job prospects you want to research internationally –begin work on Interests Folder
Read and respond in student café:
“ten things for 2012” on Webliography on eCollege: or
http://blog.tendu.tv/2012/01/05/apap-preview-ten-things-the-dance-field-should-be-talking-about-in-2012/
1/28 Senior Career Conference (extra credit) all day workshop at TCU
https://careers.tcu.edu/PDF/SeniorConferenceAgenda_UPDATED.pdf
1/30 The Elevator Pitch introduction
Class held in the Neeley Business School
Smith Room 201, Professor Michael Sherrod’s Class
2/1 In-class viewing of Bharata Natyam and Kathak videos
Due: Interests Folders – on eCollege
2/6 Studio A
Bharata Natyam guest Prathiba Natesan
Be prepared to dance
2/8 Indian Dance, Orientalism, Commodification
Read: Jeyasingh, “Getting off the Orient Express” (handout)
2/13 Work on Portfolio
Brown Bag
2/15 Work on Portfolio
2/18 AOC Benefit concert
2/ 20 Prathiba
Meet in studio
2/22 Due: Publicity Portfolio view and discuss with class
2/27 Prathiba
Meet in Studio
American College Dance Festival – please be prepared to describe auditions and World Dance classes taken during the festival
2/29 Discussion: Portfolios, Ventures
leap day!
3/5 In-class work on Ventures
Tech week
3/7 In-class work on Ventures
TCU SCCDance concert
3/12 TBA
3/14 In-class work on Ventures and Elevator Pitches
3/17-25 Spring Break!
3/26 Present Ventures in class
3/28 Present Ventures in class
4/2 Elevator Pitch Competition with Neeley visitors
in Erma Lowe Hall
4/4 Middle Eastern Dance
Meet in the Studio with Rivkah
4/9 Middle Eastern Dance (SJ at conference)
Meet in the Studio with Rivkah
4/11 Middle Eastern Dance (SJ at conference)
Meet in the Studio with Rivkah
4/16 Work on Dream Job Project
Senior Capstone Tech Week
4/18 Work on Dream Job Project
4/22 XTE Banquet
4/23 – 4/30 Presentation of Dream Job Projects
5/2 Wrap up and send off!
MLA Statement:
The School of Classical and Contemporary Dance requires MLA style for all writing. Papers written in this class must follow MLA guidelines for in-text citations and the list of works cited. Students are required to familiarize themselves with the TCU Writing Center’s “Writing Resources” website (http://www.wrt.tcu.edu/Resources.html), and must read the Writing Center’s MLA Handout and refer to it when writing papers (available at the Writing Center or on the website under “Citation Information”). Students should also own a copy of the most current edition of the MLA handbook (available at http://www.mla.org). Failure to thoroughly and correctly document your work will result in the return of the paper, ungraded, upon which the student will have until the next class period to correct and return the paper.