Course Syllabus
Course: DANC 1230
Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New Media
Department: Dance
Title: Modern Dance II
Semester Approved: Fall 2022
Five-Year Review Semester: Spring 2028
End Semester: Summer 2028
Catalog Description: This course introduces students to the theory and practice of an intermediate-level modern dance technique. It emphasizes discipline, posture, alignment, balance, release, breath, weight, and muscular control necessary for executing beginning-level center and across-the-floor progressions. Movement is presented utilizing demonstration, description, and exploration. This course is repeatable for credit.
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 2; Lecture: 2; Lab: 1
Repeatable: Yes.
Prerequisites: DANC 1200 or Permission of Instructor or current enrollment in PE 2656
Justification: Modern dance technique remains an essential component of contemporary dance training. The analysis of physical movement and structure, modern dance vocabulary, and quick assimilation of dance movement develop mental and physical dexterity. Self-observation through recording devices and evaluative writing prompts refine self-knowledge and sharpens critical thinking skills. This course is required for all Dance Majors and fulfills a requirement for dance education at four-year universities.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will acquire intermediate-level modern technique skills. Students will be evaluated on their intermediate-level knowledge of modern dance centers and across-the-floor progressions through regular in-class instructor and peer feedback.
Students will develop critical thinking skills through observation and analysis of personal movement habits while displaying increased ability in areas of flexibility, strength, musicality, coordination, proprioception and endurance. During their Midterm Exam, students will self-evaluate (via written critiques) their modern technique through observation of their classroom movement habits (as recorded on a mobile device).
Students will become familiar with the history of modern dance and its contribution to the contemporary movement vocabulary. For their Final Exam, students will create a short modern-based dance work. In preparation for their Final, students will be shown examples of diverse modern/contemporary works, followed by a discussion on the evolving nature of modern/contemporary techniques in the 21st century.
Students will analyze the relevance/application of modern technique to a dance concert performance. Students will submit a written critique of the Snow College Dance Concert and create their own intermediate-level modern dance composition for the end of the semester in-class performance.
Content:
Each class will have three essential components: a warm-up, a movement exploration based on breath, flow, shape, time, and space, and a cool down. Warm may include improvisation, dynamic stretching, and conditioning; movement exploration may include floor work, center work, and traveling patterns across the floor; and a cool-down may consist of gentle stretching followed by stillness and breath work, often performed in a circle. In addition to the above, basic anatomy and physiology may be discussed as they pertain to movement analysis and help develop solutions for more effective movement patterns. Finally, through observation and written critique, students will further refine their critical thinking skills and further appreciate the art of dance.
This class welcomes movers of all abilities, backgrounds, and body types. As a group, we will strive to build a community of learning and fairness marked by mutual respect. While modern is often presented as a traditional Western European form of dance, we will be examining the issues of inclusivity and colonialism as they apply to the history of modern dance through classroom discussion and observation of diverse dancers and choreographers.
Key Performance Indicators:
Attendance and class conduct 30 to 60%
Technical progress 30 to 60%
Midterm practical (self-evaluation) 10 to 20%
Final project (creating a short modern-based work) 10 to 20%
Snow College Dance Concert critique 10 to 20%
Representative Text and/or Supplies:
Video materials as found on YouTube.
Pedagogy Statement:
Each class consists of a warm-up followed by center and across-the-floor exercises and a cool-down.
This class welcomes movers of all abilities, backgrounds, and body types. While modern dance is often presented as a traditional Western European dance form, we will examine inclusivity issues through classroom discussion and observation of diverse modern/contemporary dancers and choreographers in preparation for our Final project. The respect for the individual way of moving which lies at the very core of modern dance technique, promotes and sustains a sense of belonging. As a group, we will practice respect for individual talents and beliefs.
Instructional Mediums:
Lecture/Lab
Maximum Class Size: 25
Optimum Class Size: 15
