DANC A160: Dance Composition/Choreography I
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Curriculum Committee Approval Date | 12/08/2021 |
| Top Code | 100810 - Commercial Dance |
| Units | 3 Total Units |
| Hours | 72 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 45; Lab Hours 27) |
| Total Outside of Class Hours | 0 |
| Course Credit Status | Credit: Degree Applicable (D) |
| Material Fee | No |
| Basic Skills | Not Basic Skills (N) |
| Repeatable | No |
| Grading Policy | Standard Letter (S) |
| Associate Arts Local General Education (GE) |
|
| Associate Science Local General Education (GE) |
|
Course Description
A composition course for dancers with intermediate to advanced technique levels in modern dance, jazz or ballet. This course emphasizes basic skills in dance composition, problem solving and exploration of dance elements: space, shape, time and energy. Students will learn to analyze choreography, create short dance studies and learn about established choreographers through a variety of assignments. Students should be prepared to dance the first day. ADVISORY: Intermediate to Advanced technique levels in modern dance or jazz or ballet. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC.
Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)
- Identify elements of composition in art, theatre, music, dance, film and sports.
- Demonstrate basic skills in creative problem solving, phrase making, manipulating a motif, structuring dance materials and using music.
- Identify contributions of a key historic choreographer.
Course Objectives
- 1. Develop basic skills and methods of composing dance studies.
- 2. Develop an awareness of the elements of composition: time, space, and energy
- 3. Develop basic skills in problem solving, phrase making, and re-arranging pre-designed movement materials.
- 4. Develop basic skills in selecting and using music for dance composition.
- 5. Develop skills in evaluating and analyzing students own dance material, as well as that of others.
- 6. Develop basic skills in directing other dancers to learn and perform choreography.
- 7. Develop more effective means of self-expression through dance composition, dance writing and research.
- 8. Develop awareness for the audiences perspective and staging elements.
- 9. Describe the work and influence of at least one established choreographer.
Lecture Content
Composition elements in music, dance, art, film, theatre Creating vocabulary, motif, phrase, development, endings Dance elements: space, time energy How to use improvisation to manipulate phrase material Historic choreographers and pioneers in the field Analysis and critiques of choreography
Lab Content
Directed improvisations, in class, exploring: spatial concepts, level changes, direction, shape, energy, time, music, contrast, and qualitative elements for successful choreography. Creating two dance phrases (direct phrase, indirect phrase - movement path and quality) Solo assignments inspired by sports photos, focused on phrase making, transitions, development of motifs, structure, and form. Assignments focusing on collaboration, co-choreographing duet/trio/quartet studies with fellow choreography students: movement studies based on assigned themes Assignments focused on directing a duet or trio composition, emphasizing communication of movement ideas to other dancers, In class analysis of student choreography, faculty choreography, and work by major companies. Research projects and oral presentation on established/professional choreographers in ballet, modern dance, jazz, tap, and ethnic dance styles and their historical contributions to the dance field. Discussion of dance performances, live and video, and other events/exhibits.
Method(s) of Instruction
- Lecture (02)
- Lab (04)
Instructional Techniques
Instructor will use the following methodologies: lectures, presentation of videos, analysis of students dance studies, class discussion, plus individual verbal and written feedback for the following assignments: performances of movement problems, written essays based on live performances and composition related events, written notes from required class text, and an oral research report on an internationally recognized choreographer.
Reading Assignments
Articles, hand-outs
Writing Assignments
Three written essays on live performance/dance related events, paper or notes on a dance concert analyzing the choreography; written notes on the assigned text conveying the authors concepts and students personal application; written test on choreographers; written final exam.
Out-of-class Assignments
Rehearsals for three to five dance composition assignments; attendance of live dance performances and three events/exhibits.
Demonstration of Critical Thinking
Evaluation and analysis of choreography; class discussion and critiques; application of concepts in each class, written events and exhibits identifying composition elements; written notes and personal application from reading assignment; essays on written final exam
Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration
Oral Report on historic choreographer; written critique on dance concert; written observations on art and related events; written notes on reading assignment; skill tests - performances of choreography assignments; written final exam; in class improvisation exercises for creative problem solving
Eligible Disciplines
Dance: Masters degree in dance, physical education with a dance emphasis, or theater with dance emphasis, OR bachelors degree in any of the above AND masters degree in physical education, any life science, physiology, theater arts, kinesiology, humanities, performing arts, or music OR the equivalent. Masters degree required.
Textbooks Resources
1. Required Sandra Cerny-Minton. Choreography, A Basic Approach Using Improvisation, ed. Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL, 2000 Rationale: TBD 2. Required Ellfeldt, L.. A Primer for Choreography, latest ed. Waveland Press, 1988 Rationale: * 3. Required Hayes, E.R.. Dance Composition and Production, 2d ed. Princeton Book Company Publishers, 1993 Rationale: * 4. Required Hawkins, A.. Creating through Dance, latest ed. Princeton Review Books, 1987 Rationale: * 5. Required Humphrey, D., Pollack, B.. The Art of Making Dances, latest ed. A Dance Horizonts Book, 1959 Rationale: * 6. Required Rollo, M.. The Courage to Create, latest ed. W. W. Norton Company, 1994 Rationale: * 7. Required Bremser, M., Saunders, L.. Fifty Contemporary Choreographers, 2d ed. Routledge, 2011 8. Required Brown, J.M., Mindlin, M., Woodford, C.H.. The Vision of Modern Dance, 2d ed. Princeton Book Review, 1998 Rationale: * 9. Required Murray, L., Nikolais, A., Marceau, M.. Inside Dance, 1st ed. St. Martins Press, 1980 Rationale: * 10. Required Maza, J.. Prime Movers, 2d ed. Princeton Book Company Publishers, 2000 Rationale: *
Other Resources
1. Dance Magazine articles. Dance departments collection of dance DVDs on well-known choreographers. Internet Websites on major choreographers and touring companies.