Course Syllabus
Course: DANC 1200
Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New Media
Department: Dance
Title: Modern Dance I
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 a beginning-level modern technique. It emphasizes discipline, posture, alignment, balance, release, breath, weight and muscular control necessary for the execution of beginning-level center and across-the floor progressions. Movement is presented by means of 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.
Justification: Modern dance technique remains an essential component of contemporary dance training. The analysis of physical movement and structure along with modern dance vocabulary and quick assimilation of dance movement develop mental and physical dexterity. Self-observation through the use of recording devices and evaluative writing prompts refine self-knowledge and sharpen 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 beginning-level modern technique skills. Students will be evaluated on their basic-level knowledge of modern dance center and across-the-floor exercises and combinations through regular in-class instructor feedback and discussion.
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 basic 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 basic 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 consist of 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 appreciate dance's art.
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 exam (self-evaluation) 10 to 20%
Final (creating a modern dance work) 10 to 20%
Snow College Dance Concert written critique 10 to 20%
Representative Text and/or Supplies:
Video materials as found on YouTube
Pedagogy Statement:
Each class consists of a warm-up, 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. A respect for individual way of moving which lies at the 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
