Course Syllabus

Course: DANC 1906

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

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

Catalog Description: This course provides a rigorous introduction to the process and practice of dance rehearsal and performance in a professional dance company setting. Curriculum includes lectures, demonstrations, and performances for the college, community, local schools, American College Dance Association, and others as requested. Audition or permission of instructor is required. May be repeated for credit.

Semesters Offered: TBA
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 2; Lecture: 2; Lab: 2
Repeatable: Yes.


Prerequisites: Audition/interview or permission of instructor is required.

Corequisites: DANC 1230- Modern Dance II or DANC 2200 - Modern 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. This outcome will be assessed through student participation, group work, and oral critique and performance.

Demonstrate a broad understanding of contemporary dance forms.  This outcome will be assessed through student participation, group work, and oral and written critique and performance.

Demonstrate professionalism as they learn to work with a variety of choreographers and as a company in pre-planning, rehearsal, outreach and performance situations.  This outcome will be assessed through student participation, group work, and oral and written critique.

Demonstrate proficiency in performance, technique, marketing, outreach and other collaborative group work. This outcome will be assessed through student participation, group work, and oral and written critique.

Produce a concert with skills in advertising, budgeting, poster design, costume design and repair.  This outcome will be assessed through student participation, group work, and oral critique.


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, peer dancers 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 contemporary styles including contemporary, jazz, ballet and hip-hop.

Key Performance Indicators:
Attendance and participation  20 to 40%

Collaboration: students will engage in a collaborative work with the Artistic Director; students will also participate in student-led group rehearsals outside of regular class time; student will also work in small groups on outreach, fundraising and marketing projects for the company  20 to 40%

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

Written and oral assignments: students will evaluate their experiences as dance-makers through written critiques of their own work and self-assessment.. 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. A variety of teaching methods including in class instruction, student led group rehearsals, written and oral assignments and public performance opportunities are used to ensure inclusion of a variety of student learning styles and abilities.

Instructional Mediums:
Lecture/Lab

Maximum Class Size: 25
Optimum Class Size: 18