Syllabus-DNCE 1300
Dance Appreciation
Fall 2012
Instructor: Melissa Watt, M.F.A.
Office Location:Leave message in Kinesiology Dept. 817.272.3288
Phone:Melissa does not have a phone on campus.Contact via email
Email Address:
Office Hours: by appointment or after class
Section Information: DNCE 1300.001
Location:PKH 110, MAC for Dance Labs on Lab Days
Meeting day(s): Tuesdays, Thursdays
Meeting time(s): 11a.m.-12:20p.m.
Prerequisite(s): You will need access to Blackboard via the internet. You will need basic computer skills to access, view, complete assignments, tests
Required Textbook:
The Culture of Dance: Create, Connect, and Master, Edited by Wendy Guess, 2011, 978-1-935551-22-5
Description of Course Content:This course is designed to develop awareness and appreciation of dance in its artistic, social and cultural contexts. The course will offer a variety of experiences, including the viewing of dance in live and video formats, reading about dance, and experiencing selected dance movements from various dance genres. This class is open to all students as a fine arts elective and will fulfill the University's Fine Arts core requirement.
Goals and Objectives upon completion of this course:
1. Define dance: What is dance?
-Students will review the scope of dance
-Students will interpret a variety of dance forms both artistic and recreational
-Students will evaluate the physical and intellectual aspects of the dance process
2. Establish and understanding of the cultural contexts of dance: Why do we dance?
-Students will recognize the basic themes of dancing
-Students will be able to relate dance to their own cultural perspectives and human values
-Students will review the relationship of dance to culture throughout history
3. Examine perceptions of dance as an art form: What do I feel about dance?
-Students will practice the critique process when viewing dance
-Students will review & discuss the artistic and choreographic process
-Students will recognize the influence of other art forms in relation to dance and the cultural experience
Grading Information:
1. 300 points – Tests (3x100)
2 100 Points – Group Research Presentation (1)
3. 400 - Dance Labs (8 X 50)
4. 200–Discussions(8 X 25)
1000 total points
Grading Scheme:
A = 901 & above
B = 801-900
C = 701-800
D = 601-700
F = 600-below
Schedule:
August 23August 28 & 30
Sept 3
Sept 4 & 6
Sept 10
Sept 11 & 13
Sept 18 & 20 (census day Sept 20)
Sept 25 & 27
Oct 2 & 4
Oct 9 & 11
Oct 16 & 18
Oct 23 & 25
Oct 31
Oct 30, Nov 1
Nov 6 & 8
Nov 13 & 15
Nov 20
Nov 22-25
Nov 27 & 29
Dec 4
Dec 11 / Introduction & Is this dance?
Rituals in dance, Section 1.1 (Why do we dance?)
Dance Lab 1
Labor Day Holiday
Section 1.2 (Creating Understanding) & Dance Lab 2
Census Day
Section 1.3 (Creating Meaning) & Review
Test 1 & Dance Lab 3
Section 2.1 (Dance as a Communication Tool)
Section 2.2 (Fusion: Bonding Across Cultures)
Texas Dance Improvisation Festival @ TCU!
Section 2.3 (Healing & Fitness Tools)
Dance Lab 4
Student Project Assignments begin & Dance Lab 5
Test 2 & Dance Lab 6
Last day to drop classes
Section 3.1 (Performance Art) & Dance Lab 7
Section 3.2 (Creative Art) & Dance Lab 8
Section 3.3 Review
Student Presentations
Thanksgiving Holiday
Student Presentations
Student Presentations
Test 3/Final
Requirements/Expectations:
1. The purchase of the textbook: The Culture of Dance: Create, Connect, and Master, Edited by Wendy Guess, 2011, 978-1-935551-22-5
2. Participation – To make the course more exciting and to encourage student interaction, we will be utilizing a variety of instructional formats including class discussion, small group discussion and report, lecture, and movement experience.
You will be expected to be involved with the class and be listening.
3. Attendance - Class attendance is essential as material will be presented that cannot be replicated outside of class. Videos shown in class are NOT in the library.
4. Dance Labs – During class times. You will be expected to actively participate during these times. Advance notice will be given for the alternative class and it will be held that day in either the PEB or MAC. Please dress comfortably – wear shoes or sandals that will stay on feet during walking, kicking, jumping. You will be expected to take notes as quiz and test questions will include movement session material.
5. Weekly Discussion entries – Each week we will be viewing video clips of dance performances, reading sections of the book, as well as experience some of the dance forms. There will be questions over each video for you to answer. Some of these questions will be used on the quizzes and tests.
6. Tests– Tests will cover material from the text as well as from the video questions and movement sessions.
7. Final Group Project – With a small group of fellow students, you will research and report on a dance form. Detailed guidelines will be available on WebCT.
8.Students are expected to log on to UTA and check email and coursework on a daily basis. All assignments must be completed by each deadline: no exceptions= LATE WORK IS UNACCEPTABLE!Students are expected to review assignments prior to the day they are due in case questions arise: no late assignments accepted as a result of misunderstanding or technological failure.
9. All work must be polished even when writing informally. Grammatical and spelling errors are not acceptable! Please read your writing aloud and edit your writing and also have someone else read it over prior to submission.
Professional Dance Events in the DFW area:
Ft Worth:
Texas Christian University:
Texas Dance Improvisation Festival:
Also at TCU
November 2-4 @TCU
November 9-10 @ Collin College
Tarrant Community College District:
Dallas:
Brookhaven Nov 9-10 8pm & Nov 11 230 pm
Northlake College
Richland College
Dallas:
AT&T Performing Arts Center
Sept 29 Doug Varone
November 16 Stephen Petronio Company
Denton:
Texas Women’s University:
November 15-17 DanceMakers
November 29-December 1 Dance UpClose
University of North Texas:
November 30-Dec 2
Policies:
Cell Phones:
Please have your cell phones on silent or off during class, and refrain from texting. It will allow you to focus with more detail on the course information and reduce stress from too much multi-tasking.
Treat your education like a job and be professional.
The only reason a cell phone should be utilized is for a family or work emergency.
Attendance Policy:
An attendance roster will be passed around at the beginning of class. Please sign your name and the last 4 digits of your social security number.
Three absences are allowed without affecting your participation grade.
Two absences may be made up through extra credit work.
See me for details.
You will be allowed to make up work missed if a doctor’s note or excuse for a University sponsored activity is presented, no later than a week after the absence. An extended illness or emergency will be dealt with on an individual basis.
Drop Policy:
Students may drop or swap (adding and dropping a class concurrently) classes through self-service in MyMav from the beginning of the registration period through the late registration period. After the late registration period, students must see their academic advisor to drop a class or withdraw. Undeclared students must see an advisor in the University Advising Center. Drops can continue through a point two-thirds of the way through the term or session. It is the student's responsibility to officially withdraw if they do not plan to attend after registering. Students will not be automatically dropped for non-attendance. Repayment of certain types of financial aid administered through the University may be required as the result of dropping classes or withdrawing. Contact the Financial Aid Office for more information.
Americans with Disabilities Act:
The University of Texas at Arlington is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of all federal equal opportunity legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). All instructors at UT Arlington are required by law to provide "reasonable accommodations" to students with disabilities, so as not to discriminate on the basis of that disability. Any student requiring an accommodation for this course must provide the instructor with official documentation in the form of a letter certified by the staff in the Office for Students with Disabilities, University Hall 102. Only those students who have officially documented a need for an accommodation will have their request honored. Information regarding diagnostic criteria and policies for obtaining disability-based academic accommodations can be found at or by calling the Office for Students with Disabilities at (817) 272-3364.
NOTE: If you require an accommodation based on disability, I would like to meet with you in the privacy of my office the first week of the semester to be sure you are appropriately accommodated.
Academic Integrity:
It is the philosophy of The University of Texas at Arlington that academic dishonesty is a completely unacceptable mode of conduct and will not be tolerated in any form. All persons involved in academic dishonesty will be disciplined in accordance with University regulations and procedures. Discipline may include suspension or expulsion from the University. According to the UT System Regents’ Rule 50101, §2.2, "Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit such acts."
Student Support Services Available:
The University of Texas at Arlington provides a variety of resources and programs designed to help students develop academic skills, deal with personal situations, and better understand concepts and information related to their courses. These resources include tutoring, major-based learning centers, developmental education, advising and mentoring, personal counseling, and federally funded programs. For individualized referrals to resources for any reason, students may contact the Maverick Resource Hotline at 817-272-6107 or visit for more information.
Bomb Threats:
If anyone is tempted to call in a bomb threat, be aware that UTA will attempt to trace the phone call and prosecute all responsible parties. Every effort will be made to avoid cancellation of presentations/tests caused by bomb threats. Unannounced alternative sites will be available for these classes. Your instructor will make you aware of alternative class sites in the vent that your classroom is not available.
Timeline for Grade Grievances:
The student has one calendar year from the date a grade is assigned to initiate a grade grievance. Students should attempt to resolve the grade issue with the instructor involved. If the issue cannot be resolved with the instructor, the student must complete an “Appeal of Grade” form available in the department office. The normal academic channels for processing this appeal are: 1) Department Chair, 2) Academic Dean, 3) the Provost.
FERPA – Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974:
To protect the privacy of students, grades may not be posted, under any disguise or concealment. Phone messages or emails regarding grades are not confidential and therefore may not be utilized. Relatives or friends may not be given any information concerning a grade, attendance or status in class.
Electronic Communication Policy/E-Culture Policy:
The University of Texas at Arlington has adopted the University “MavMail” address as the sole official means of communication with students. MavMail is used to remind students of important deadlines, advertise events and activities, and permit the University to conduct official transactions exclusively by electronic means. For example, important information concerning registration, financial aid, payment of bills, and graduation are now sent to students through the MavMail system. All students are assigned a MavMail account. Students are responsible for checking their MavMail regularly. Information about activating and using MavMail is available at There is no additional charge to students for using this account, and it remains active even after they graduate from UT Arlington.
To obtain your NetID or for logon assistance, visit: If you are unable to resolve your issue from the Self-Service website, contact the Helpdesk .
The Department of Kinesiology Grade Requirement:
As stated in the undergraduate catalog, you are required to earn a C or better in ALL Kinesiology and Health courses to maintain your status as a Kinesiology major. The Department of Kinesiology will begin enforcing this requirement starting with the Spring 2003 semester. Therefore, in the future, you will be required to retake any Kinesiology course in which you earn a D or F. These classes must be taken at UTA. Also, beginning Spring 2003, if a D or F grade is earned you will need to contact your academic advisor, since you will need permission to continue to take Kinesiology or Health courses until the grade is replaced with a C or better grade. If you have any questions regarding this policy, please contact your academic advisor.