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Course Syllabus

Course: DANC 2916

Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New Media
Department: Dance
Title: Snow College Dance Company IV

Semester Approved: Fall 2022
Five-Year Review Semester: Summer 2027
End Semester: Summer 2028

Catalog Description: This course builds on the experience and knowledge gained in Snow College Dance Company III by continuing the research of the process and practice of dance rehearsal and performance in a professional dance company setting. Curriculum includes lecture/demonstrations and performances for the college, community, local schools, American College Dance association, and other performances as requested. Audition or permission of instructor is required. May be repeated for credit.

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 2; Lecture: 2; Lab: 2
Repeatable: Yes.


Prerequisites: Audition or permission of instructor is required.

Corequisites: Ballet I or II or III and Modern Dance I or II or III


Justification: Because dance is a performing art, it is essential that students planning a career in dance have an opportunity to perform and watch performances as part of their education. In this course dance technique and theory become the foundation rather than the focus of instruction as students work as an ensemble to rehearse and perform works that will inspire and educate the audience. It is of cultural importance to build an audience for dance among the general student body and community. This course is standard at four-year institutions throughout the state for anyone pursuing a degree in dance.


Student Learning Outcomes:
Accurately perform dances choreographed by the instructor, professional choreographers and selected students. Verbal and written feedback by the instructor, professional choreographers, and fellow students. This outcome will be assessed through group work,

Demonstrate a broad understanding of contemporary dance forms This outcome will be assessed through evaluation of student-written choreographic proposals and their works-in-progress.

Demonstrate professionalism as they learn to work with a variety of choreographers and as a company in rehearsal and performance situations. Verbal and written feedback by instructor, professional choreographers, and fellow students. This will be evaluated through participation and performance.

Demonstrate proficiency in performance, technique, marketing, outreach and other collaborative group work.  This outcome will be assessed through evaluation of student by-weekly written reports as well as oral feedback from the instructor.

Produce a concert while developing skills in advertising, budgeting, poster design, costume design and repair.  This outcome will be assessed through instructor feedback, student feedback and classroom discussion.


Content:
Students will learn the process of auditioning, performance, in-class rehearsal, dress and technical rehearsals, casting, scheduling and concert/company promotion. Students will learn the works of the instructor as well as professional guest artists, thereby gaining important experience in rapid comprehension, retention of material and teamwork. The importance of a performer's responsibilities will be stressed. The students will participate in the American College Dance Festival when appropriate and will also choreograph and perform at Snow College Dance concerts.Snow College Dance Company welcomes dancers of all backgrounds empowering them not only as movers, but also as dance-makers and dance producers while exposing them to a diverse range of styles including contemporary, jazz, ballet and hip-hop.

Key Performance Indicators:
Participation: students must attend and participate in every class session.  30 to 60%

Group work: students will participate in student-led small group rehearsals outside of regular class time; student will also work in small groups on outreach, fundraising and marketing projects for the company  30 to 60%

Performance: students will participate in all public performances.  10 to 30%

Written and Oral critiques: students will evaluate their experiences as dance-makers through written proposals of choreographic works. 10 to 30%


Representative Text and/or Supplies:
Videos as found on youtube and other channels.


Pedagogy Statement:
The Snow College Dance Company welcomes students of all abilities, backgrounds and body types thus implicitly dismantling some of the following lingering biases of dance training: that only ballet is the basis of dance technique/performance; that only ballet bodies are worthy to be seen on stage and that dancers serve as mere instruments of a choreographer's vision, and ought to be trained as such.

Instructional Mediums:
Lecture/Lab

Maximum Class Size: 15
Optimum Class Size: 10