Approved by Faculty Senate March 30, 2009
Course ID: 002582 THAD 157 03 Ballet 1
Fall Semester 2008
Winona State University – 1 credit
Location: Memorial 300 Studio Time: W 12:30pm-1:50pm
Instructor: Carissa Zieske
Email:
Phone: 507/450-7787
Office Hours: By Appointment
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: A notebook
NO CLASS: Wed, Nov. 26 (Thanksgiving Break)
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION: This course is the study of the basic barre and centre technique used in ballet. Additionally, it serves as an introduction to ballet as a craft and as an art. The course work is centered around developing physical competence in dance technique. Grade only. May be repeated once for credit.
This course is designed to satisfy the University studies requirements in: Fine and Performing Arts, and 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 basic ballet movements, the student will have a direct encounter with ballet as a living, breathing art form. Students will be introduced to basic ballet vocabulary (spoken and executed) and gain an understanding of ballet aesthetics including traditional ballet music, and dress. They will be introduced to principles of alignment, and will deepen awareness of their body 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 creating and performing an original ballet sequence (1 – 1 1/2 minutes) based on ballet aesthetics and vocabulary learned in class. In groups of 2 – 3, students will select an arrangement of movements in combination with music and underlying theme/motivation to create an artistic whole. The composition will be performed for the class as a final project.
c. To understand the cultural and gender contexts of artistic expression: Through video, lecture and discussion, students will be exposed to the history of ballet and the changing roles of men and women throughout its evolution. Students will view ballets that are products of different cultures and historical periods, providing a context for them to appreciate the roots of the discipline to which they are currently being exposed.
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 ballets experienced through a live professional performance and video format. Students will also reflect upon and assess, in written form, their own creative process and product.
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
A. The student will develop an appreciation for the art of ballet as both performer and audience. (a,b, d)
B. The student will gain an understanding of the basic anatomical and mechanical principles of movement that support ballet technique and theory. (a)
C. The student will develop body awareness, performance skills, musicality, coordination, flexibility, strength and self-discipline. (a, b)
D. The student will become familiar with the evolution and history of classical ballet as a theatrical dance form. (a,c)
E. The student will develop a general knowledge of ballet terminology. (a)
BASIC INSTRUCTIONAL PLAN AND METHODS (a,b,c,d)
Class consists of lecture demonstration, pre-warm up, barre work, center work, and across the floor sequences.Videos of professional ballets will be viewed, discussed, and critiqued.
Course Outline
I. Class Structure will include: (a)
a. Pre-warm-up: to be done individually before the start of class
b. Barre work: including an introduction to the five positions of the feet, port de bras, plié, tendu, degagé, rond de jambe, frappé, fondu, grand battement, stretches, alignment
c. Center work: including port de bras, tendu, body positions, arabesque, performing technique, simple adagio combinations, preparation for turns.
d. Allegro work: basic jumps and locomotion movement across the floor including sauté, temp leve, jete, balancé
e. Réveránce : cool down
II. Additional Learning Experiences: (a,c)
a. Viewing and discussing films of contemporary and traditional ballets by U.S. and/or European Companies
b. Defining classical ballet through its history and evolution as an art form
c. Exploring the relationship of ballet to other theatrical dance styles (modern, jazz, and tap)
d. Culminating ballet knowledge in a choreographic piece of art
ASSESSMENT : COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION (a,b,c,d)
a. 65% attendance and participation (a,b,c,d)
b. 5% typed response to a selected professional dance video shown in class (c,d) Wednesday September 24 due by Wednesday, October 1
c. 10% MIDTERM 2-3 page Response paper to Compania Flamenco Jose Porcel October 8 SMU Page Theatre at 7:30 p.m. (c,d) due Wednesday, October 15
d. 5% quiz on ballet terminology (a) Wednesday, November 12
e. 15% FINAL original ballet sequence (1 – 1 1/2 minute) done in class in groups of 2 or 3, assessed by self and class (a,b,d) Wednesday, December 10
REFERENCES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY
Anderson, Jack. Ballet and Modern Dance, A Concise History. Princeton, NJ: Princeton Book Company, 1986
Kersley and Sinclair. A Dictionary of Ballet Terms. New York, NY: Da Capo Press, Inc., 1981
Paskevska, Anna. Both Sides of the Mirror; The Science and Art of Ballet. New York, NY: Dance Horizons, 1981
GRADING EXPLANATIONS
A=work of outstanding nature that exceeds course standards and depicts a deep and thorough understanding of subject matter
B=work that is above average in quality and thoroughness and depicts a mastery of the subject matter
C=Work of a satisfactory nature in quality and thoroughness and depicts a basic understanding of subject matter
D=Work that is substandard in nature and depicts a limited understanding of subject matter
DRESS Students dance in ballet shoes or barefoot, leotard and tights with hair pinned off of face and neck. Neat fitting sweats or dance pants and a close fitting top are acceptable.
ATTENDANCE and class participation is required, of course. No absences, please. Students are responsible to let the instructor know why you were absent, and catch up on class material, consulting with classmates as needed. **Illness is not an excused absence, even with a doctor’s note.
*You are allowed 2 absences without affecting your grade and no need to provide documentation.
Excessive absences will affect your grade in two ways:
1. It will affect the percentages of your grade designated for Attendance and Class Participation, dropping one letter for each class missed beyond 2. For example 3 absences=B, 4=C etc.
2. More than 2 absences will also drop your total class grade ONE LETTER for each class missed. For example, with 3 absences the highest total class grade you can achieve is a B.
*Exceptions will be made for university sponsored events with appropriate documentation.
Tardiness: Being late to class 2x is equivalent to 1 absence, if the lateness is less than 10 minutes. If you are more than 10 minutes late to a dance class without having notified the instructor in advance you may not participate in the class and that class will be counted as 1 absence.
*Be sure to speak with the instructor after class if you come in late so your presence can be recorded, the student is responsible to be marked for attendance once names have been called or the sign in clipboard has been passed around class.
*If you forget to sign in during class you will be marked as absent for that class period.
*If you need to leave class early, it will count as a ½ absence if more than 10 minutes and please alert instructor ahead of time.
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 up to 3 classes without participating. This active observation will include describing and commenting on class content and movement components. Handwritten documentation on movement observations and class content will be handed in to the instructor at the end of the class period.
Makeup Classes: DUE: 1 WEEK AFTER MAKEUP, up until the last week of classes for the semester
*Students are allowed 3 makeup classes maximum.
Makeup class approval must be requested from your instructor ahead of time to ensure it is an appropriate substitute. Request permission via email from makeup class instructor and introduce yourself when you arrive for class. Obtain a signature from the makeup class instructor with the date of attendance, and hand that in, along with a 1 paragraph typed written summary of movement aspects you experienced in class and your response.
Appropriate makeup classes: See Mem 300 studio door for days and times of current THAD dance classes and THAD website for faculty email contact info.
Students are encouraged to notify the instructor in advance if class is to be missed and are responsible to contact a classmate for missed notes and material.
Injury Policy: Credit for all classes is contingent upon participation. If a student has or incurs an injury in the course of study resulting in more than 3 classes from active participation, it is the student's responsibility to consult with the teacher as to creative options for the learning process or withdrawal from the class.
PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES: All students are expected to come to class prepared and focused, with an open and respectful attitude towards the instructor, their peers and themselves. Students are also expected to contribute to a safe and trusting environment, including a nonjudgmental approach towards learning, a willingness to take risks, make mistakes, ask questions, and support one another.
Students are also responsible for tracking their own attendance, and all content covered in class, including retention of material from week to week.
When you arrive for class, please prepare by spending time warming up, reviewing class material or focusing yourself. Once class begins, maintain a focused attentive concentration on class material and participate fully in every aspect of class including creative exercises, assignments, research, projects and discussions.
*Quality of class participation includes: good energy level each class, attentiveness to lectures and videos, contributions to class discussions and group work, completion of in class writings or exercises, full participation in movement aspects of class including both physical and creative components.
EXTRA CREDIT: DUE: 1 WEEK AFTER EVENT /up until the last week of class for the semester Students may earn extra credit by attending an additional event, and handing in a typewritten summary response, 1 full page minimum, discussing dance/movement related aspects and proof of attendance.
*Each student may do 2 EC assignments worth 1 point each, for a max. of 2 points added to your final class grade.
See “Area Dance Performance Calendar 2007-08” on D2L, WSU Update, class announcements or consult instructor if find alternative event.
*WSU Arts & Lectures Portal at http://www.winona.edu/arts has a full calendar of arts events on campus including: Lyceum Series, CLASP Series, Athenaeum and much more!
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 ACCOMMODATION: If you have a documented disability and wish to discuss academic accommodations, please contact the instructor as soon as possible.
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 documented 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.
INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE
Commitment to Inclusive Excellence: WSU recognizes that our individual differences can deepen our understanding of one another and the world around us, rather than divide us. In this class, people of all ethnicities, genders, religions, ages, sexual orientations, disabilities, socioeconomic backgrounds, regions, and nationalities are strongly encouraged to share their rich array of perspectives and experiences. If you feel your differences may in some way isolate you from WSU’s community or if you have a need of any specific accommodations, please speak with the instructor early in the semester about your concerns and what we can do together to help you become an active and engaged member of our class and community.
Campus Resources
· Student Support Services, Howell Hall 133, 457-5465 (www.winona.edu/studentsupportservices/)
· Inclusion and Diversity Office, Kryzsko Commons Room 122, 457-5595 (www.winona.edu/culturaldiversity/)
· Disability Resource Center, Maxwell 331, 457-2391 (www.winona.edu/disabilityservices/)
· Counseling Center, Wabasha Hall 220, 457-5330 (www.winona.edu/counselingcenter/)
· Writing Center, Minné Hall 348, 457-5505 (www.winona.edu/writingcenter/)
· GLBTA Advocate, Wabasha Hall 220, 457-5330 (www.winona.edu/counselingcenter/)
· Advising and Retention, Maxwell 308, 457-5600 (www.winona.edu/advising/)
Details about Campus Resources
· Two good places to help you find resources of all kinds on campus are Student Support Services and the Inclusion and Diversity Office. Both offices are dedicated to helping students of all races, ethnicities, economic backgrounds, nationalities, and sexual orientations. They can facilitate tutoring and point you to a wide range of resources. Student Support Services is in Howell Hall 133, and they can be reached at 457-5465. The Inclusion and Diversity Office is in Kryzsko Commons Room 122, and they can be reached at 457-5595.
· If you have a disability, the Disability Resource Center (DRC) can document it for your professors and facilitate accommodation. Their office is in Maxwell Hall, 3rd floor, and they can be reached at 457-2391. If you have a documented disability that requires accommodation, please let me know as soon as possible. If you suspect you may have a disability, you are encouraged to visit the DRC as soon as possible.