COURSE PROPOSAL

Course Name: Modern III 
Course Prefix: DANC
Course Number: 3490
             Submitted by (Name & E-Mail):  Amanda Sowerby, asowerby@weber.edu

Current Date:  1/27/2012
College: Arts & Humanities
Department:   Performing Arts                              
From Term: Fall  2012 

Substantive

change 

Current Course Subject DANC
Current Course Number 3490

 

DANC *3490. Modern III (1) Exercises and activities to develop strength, flexibility, endurance, and technical dance skill. May be repeated for a maximum of 4 credit hours. Prerequisite: DANC 2490 (2 credit hours minimum), or DANC 3490 (1 credit hour minimum), or by audition.

New/Revised Course Information:

Subject:  DANC            

Course Number: 3490

Check all that apply:
    This is for courses already approved for gen ed.
    Use a different form for proposing a new gen ed designation.

DV  CA  HU  LS  PS  SS 
EN  AI  QL  TA  TB  TC  TD  TE

Course Title: Modern III

Abbreviated Course Title:

Course Type:  LAB

Credit Hours:  1.5  or if variable hours:    to

Contact Hours: Lecture   Lab 4.5   Other

Repeat Information:  Limit 4   Max Hrs 6 

Grading Mode:  standard

This course is/will be: a required course in a major program
a required course in a minor program
a required course in a 1- or 2- year program
elective

Prerequisites/Co-requisites:

Prerequisite: DANC 2490 (3 credit hours minimum), or DANC 3490 (1.5 credit hour minimum), or by audition.

Course description (exactly as it will appear in the catalog, including prerequisites):

DANC *3490. Modern III (1.5)
Exercises and activities to develop strength, flexibility, endurance, and technical dance skill. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours. Prerequisite: DANC 2490 (3 credit hours minimum), or DANC 3490 (1.5 credit hour minimum), or by audition.

Justification for the new course or for changes to an existing course. (Note: Justification should emphasize academic rationale for the change or new course. This is particularly important for courses requesting upper-division status.)

This change is long overdue and reflects an update in keeping with the Curriculum Policy and Procedures Manual.

All technique classes are currently listed worth one credit hour; however, our 2000 and 3000 level Modern Dance technique classes meet for 50% longer. Specifically, Modern Dance II & Modern Dance III (DANC 2490 & 3490) meet 4.5 hours per week and have requirements of written concert critiques. In contrast, Modern I (DANC 1200) meets three hours per week. Raising this course to 1.5 credit hours will be more equitable and will reflect the extra Friday of technique class. Friday classes are reserved for special topics and allow faculty to supplement dance majors’ education with emerging trends in the field.

UNIVERSITY CURRICULUM COMMITTEE POLICY AND PROCEDURES MANUAL
SECTION 5 - CREDIT HOURS/SUBSTANTIVE COURSE PROPOSALS
Revised: 6-9-10
CREDIT HOURS - The unit by which an institution may measure its course work. The number of credit hours assigned to a course is usually defined by the number of hours per week in class and the number of weeks in the session. One credit hour is usually assigned to a class that meets fifty minutes a week over a full semester; in laboratory, fieldwork, drawing, music, practical arts, physical education, or similar type of instruction, one credit hour is assigned for a session that meets two or three hours a week during a full semester.
CREDIT RATIOS - Academic credit is a measure of the total time commitment required of a typical student in a particular course of study. Total time consists of three components: (1) time spent in class; (2) time spent in laboratory, studio, fieldwork, or other scheduled activity; (3) time devoted for reading, studying, problem solving, writing, or preparation. One full-semester credit hour is assigned in the following ratio of component hours per week devoted to the course of study: (1) lecture courses – one contact hour for each credit hour, (two hours of outside work implied); (2) laboratory or studio course – at least two contact hours for each credit hour, (one hour of outside preparation implied); (3) independent study – at least three hours of work per week for each credit hour.



Please note: there will not be an attachment of old AND new syllabus as course will not change. The increase in credit hour is changing to reflect the rigor the course already possesses.

INFORMATION PAGE
for substantive proposals only

1. Did this course receive unanimous approval within the Department?

true

If not, what are the major concerns raised by the opponents?

2. If this is a new course proposal, could you achieve the desired results by revising an existing course within your department or by requiring an existing course in another department?

N/A

3. How will the proposed course differ from similar offerings by other departments? Comment on any subject overlap between this course and topics generally taught by other departments, even if no similar courses are currently offered by the other departments. Explain any effects that this proposal will have on program requirements or enrollments in other department. Please forward letters (email communication is sufficient) from all departments that you have identified above stating their support or opposition to the proposed course.

N/A

4. Is this course required for certification/accreditation of a program?

no

If so, a statement to that effect should appear in the justification and supporting documents should accompany this form.

5. For course proposals, e-mail a syllabus to Faculty Senate which should be sufficiently detailed that the committees can determine that the course is at the appropriate level and matches the description. There should be an indication of the amount and type of outside activity required in the course (projects, research papers, homework, etc.).

 

Modern Dance III

 

DANCE 3490 – 1.5 Credit Hour

 

Instructor: Erik Stern

 

WSU Department of Performing Arts, Spring 2012

Mon/Wed/Fri 10:30AM - Noon, Swenson Gym Room 72 

Extension: x6615        E-mail: estern@weber.edu  Office: Browning Center, room 213B

Pre-requisite: Modern Dance I

 

Modern Dance is a dance form developed in the early 20th century. Although the term has also been applied to a category of 20th Century ballroom dance, Modern dance usually refers to 20th century concert dance.  - Wikipedia

 

Modern dance involves exploring, clarifying, fulfilling and playing with movement.  It is a tradition of innovation.

 

Technique is the way in which the fundamentals, as of an artistic work, are handled.  It is the study of principles, and goes deeper than what is “right” and “wrong.”

 

 

Course Description

 

The purpose of the class is to build on your previous study of Modern Dance Technique.  The key is to come on time, ready to dance. If the movement is a little beyond your reach, don’t worry.  Just try to the best of your ability.

 

We will work on:

 

1.        Traditional technique: floor work, center combinations, across the floor.

 

2.        Improving our ability to process movement material.

 

 

  1. Dance “Physics:” initiation of movement; core strength and how to use the center; effects of momentum; negotiating stabilization, opposition, and release; efficiency in movement; mechanics of the muscles and skeleton.

 

  1. Other skills we draw on and develop: timing, sequence, spatial awareness, qualities of motion, performance, body awareness, breathing, balance, self-expression, neuromuscular patterning.

 

The first week of class is an audition for students who have not had the prerequisites.  Return students must dance also.  For new students who are auditioning, please wait after class is over to discuss with me your status. On Fridays, Modern II/III and Ballet II/III are combined and meet in BC 38 (unless otherwise noted).  Friday topics will vary, but come prepared to move. Check bulletin boards in the dance studios for a schedule of topics for Friday combined classes.  There may be extra assignments for those students in Modern Dance III.

 

Requirements

Attendance.  Student are allowed four absences.  Each absence after that lowers the grade (for

example, a B becomes an B-).  Being tardy or leaving class early three times will count as one

absence. If you are sick or injured but are still coming to campus, observe class.  You will learn

from the experience.

Concerts Attend Two Dance Concerts. Required concert: WSU Orchesis Dance Theatre, April 5, 6 & 7 at 7:30 PM in the Browning Center's Allred Theater. Save the programs from each concert you attend. They serve as a document to show you attended.
The other must be a professional Modern Dance concert.

 

Appropriate Dress  Bare feet. Dress in a way that does not restrict your movement, is not baggy, and allows me to see your alignment.  The room can be cold, so bring layers.  No extra long pants. No words on your clothing.  No chewing gum.

Active Learning  Take an active role in your dance education.  The work takes place in class, so bring physical energy and mental awareness. Be eager to try new things and take risks.  If you do not take time before class to get your body ready, if you need to be encouraged to come to the center and begin, if you are not actively present, you should expect your grade to reflect this lack of preparation.

 

Final: End-of-Semester Showings  Dance Area technique classes show phrases on the last day of classes.  The final has two components: 1) Observing all the classes performing, and 2) Performing in the Modern II/III presentation. Both are required for this class. It is as educational to see the range of dance styles, approaches to showings and levels of your peers as it is to share what you learned.  Attendance and participation in the Final are required and are factored into your grade.  The showings will be on Friday afternoon April 13 at 4:30PM in room BC 38.

 

Skills test/Self-evaluation  About mid-way through the semester, students are evaluated by performing phrases of movement from class. The phrases are videotaped and then placed on reserve in the Browning Center's Multimedia Lab, room 322.  Each student will then go and view the midterm and write a self-evaluation.  Modern III students will be required to perform an extra phrase or two.

 

Monday, April 16 is the final day of class.   Yes, we will meet; it will be a discussion/writing day.

 

Responsibilities

 

A dance class is at once highly personal and communal. Trust, mutual respect, an open mind and responsibility are as important as physical skill and experience. Because a class can be adversely affected by student behavior, the following responsibilities are pre-requisites. The instructor reserves the right to address the following areas individually with students. If a student is unable to properly address these areas, the instructor reserves the right to remove the student from class:
 

 

1)      Each student must be able to assess his or his own physical condition and injuries and adjust accordingly.

2)      Each student must be aware of his or her own and others' safety.
 

3)      Each student must be prepared to take feedback about how he or she moves and uses the body.

4)      Cell phones must be off during class.  If a phone rings during class time, the owner will teach the next phrase.

5)      Each student must enter the studio and begin to warm up until class begins.

 

Ideally, we should all help one another learn; at the very least, no student may adversely affect the learning environment of another.  

 

Any student requiring accommodations or services due to a disability must contact Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) in room 181 of the Student Services Center. SSD can also arrange to provide course materials (including this syllabus) in an alternative format if necessary. You must make your request for accommodation no later than the beginning of the second week of classes.

 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

 

Class activities and assignments develop:

 

• Ability to see and sense movement

• Ability to remember movement sequences and to break them down into component parts

• Qualitative awareness

• Ability to express through movement, and to connect breathe with movement

• Spatial and rhythmic awareness, and learn to respond to the accompanist

 

Through class activities and assignments students acquire:

 

• New neuromuscular patterns

• Core strength and ability to utilize that strength

• Understanding of fundamental kinesiological principles, such as opposition and stabilization

• Greater range of motion

• Appreciation for the skills and artistry of Modern Dance

• Understanding of the elements of a warm-up and cool down

• Increased knowledge of dance terminology

 

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES

 

The following areas are assessed through: in-class performance (application, development and improvement); peer feedback; midterm; written self-evaluation; and end-of-semester showings.  Those in bold are strongly emphasized in the class.

 

  1. Have a kinesiological understanding of the body; with an ability to identify, analyze and resolve specific physical problems, such as muscular imbalances and individual differences.
  2. Are proficient in the principles of dance technique.
  3. Are able to critically evaluate and assess what they and others have created.

 

  1. Are proficient in verbal and written communication as they relate to both academic and creative topics.
  2. Have an historical context in dance, including its relationship to society, culture and history.
  3. Understand the complexities of the creative processes and structures as they apply to choreography (their own, their contemporaries, and those of major historic choreographers).
  4. Have a practical working knowledge of how to organize and produce a dance concert, including artistic and technical considerations.
  5. Are able to converse with artists in related fields, including music as it relates to the choreographic process.
  6. Have a practical working knowledge of how to use technology in creative and academic projects.

 

 

 

EVALUATION   When evaluating a student I ask these questions:

 

  • Did the student show up regularly?

 

  • What were the student's work habits? Was she attentive?  Did he have physical energy?  Did she have mental energy?

 

  • Did the student grasp the concepts?  If not, did he take steps to grasp it (e.g. ask questions, work before and after class, try other materials)?

 

  • Was the student able to incorporate the concepts physically?  Did she have the discipline to address habits and change?

 

• Was the student's written work thorough and honest?

 

 

Text Box: “The mind steadfastly refuses to behave locally, as contemporary scientific evidence is beginning to show. We now know, for example, that brain like tissue is found throughout the body.... So, even from the conservative perspective of modern neurochemistry, it is difficult if not impossible to follow a strictly local view of the brain." –Larry Dossey, M.D.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How might this statement relate to dance technique class?

 

ACADEMIC HONESTY: As specified in PPM 6-22 IV D, cheating and plagiarism violate the Student Code. Plagiarism is "the unacknowledged (uncited) use of any other person’s or group’s ideas or work." Students found guilty of cheating or plagiarism are subject to failure of a specific assignment, or, in more serious cases, failure of the entire course.

CORE BELIEFS According to PPM 6-22 IV, students are to “determine, before the last day to drop courses without penalty, when course requirements conflict with a student's core beliefs. If there is such a conflict, the student should consider dropping the class. A student who finds this solution impracticable may request a resolution from the instructor. This policy does not oblige the instructor to grant the request, except in those cases when a denial would be arbitrary and capricious or illegal. This request must be made to the instructor in writing and the student must deliver a copy of the request to the office of the department head. The student's request must articulate the burden the requirement would place on the student's beliefs."

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION: PPM 3-34 notes: "When students seek accommodation in a regularly scheduled course, they have the responsibility to make such requests at the Center for Students with Disabilities before the beginning of the quarter [semester] in which the accommodation is being requested. When a student fails to make such arrangements, interim accommodations can be made by the instructor, pending the determination of the request for a permanent accommodation."

EMERGENCY CLOSURE: If for any reason the university is forced to close for an extended period of time, we will conduct our class as a hybrid, meaning we will complete core components online using our course website, Weber email, and possibly Blackboard.

USE OF ELECTRONICS IN CLASS: Please turn your phone to silent during the class hour.