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Course Syllabus

DANC 1100 Ballet I

  • Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New Media
  • Department: Theater and Dance
  • Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 2; Lecture: 2; Lab: 1
  • Repeatable: Yes. May be repeated once for credit.
  • Semesters Offered: TBA
  • Semester Approved: Spring 2026
  • Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2030
  • End Semester: Fall 2031
  • Optimum Class Size: 15
  • Maximum Class Size: 25

Course Description

This course introduces students to the theory and practice of a beginning classical ballet technique. It emphasizes discipline, posture, alignment, balance and muscular control necessary for the execution of basic ballet barre and center exercises. Movement is presented by means of demonstration, description and exploration. This course is repeatable for credit.

Justification

Ballet technique is the foundation of Western European dance aesthetic and remains an important component of successful dance training. Self-observation through the use of recording devices and choreographic prompts refine self-knowledge and sharpen critical thinking skills. This course is required for all Dance Majors, and fills a credit requirement at four-year universities.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate beginning-level ballet technique skills.
  2. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to utilize 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.
  3. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to explain the basic history of ballet and its contribution to the Western European dance forms.
  4. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to analyze the relevance/application of ballet technique to a dance concert performance.

Course Content

Each class will consist of three essential components: warm-up, ballet exercises at the barre/center and cool down. Ballet exercises will emphasize proper alignment, balance, musicality and the use of turn out. In addition to the above, basic anatomy and physiology will be discussed as they apply to movement and help develop solutions to balance, turn-out and other dance issues. Finally, through observation and written critiques students will further refine their critical thinking skills and develop a further appreciation for concert dance.