Academic Catalogs

DANC G115: Tap Dance 1 - Beginning

Course Outline of Record
Item Value
Curriculum Committee Approval Date 02/18/2020
Top Code 100800 - Dance
Units 2 Total Units 
Hours 54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 27; 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
Open Entry/Open Exit No
Grading Policy Standard Letter (S), 
  • Pass/No Pass (B)
Local General Education (GE)
  • Area 7E Lifelong Understanding and Self-Development (GE)
California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth)
  • CSU E2 Activity Course (E2)

Course Description

Formerly: Beginning Tap Dance. This course is designed to develop beginning tap dance techniques. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

  1. Course Outcomes
  2. Produce rhythmic tap sounds in time with the various music selections at a beginning level.
  3. Demonstrate basic fundamental movements of tap dance.
  4. Execute a choreographed tap dance routine at a beginning level.

Course Objectives

  • 1. Execute all beginning tap patterns.
  • 2. Show tap dance routines using basic varied phrasing.
  • 3. Relate tap sounds to many different time signatures at a beginning level.
  • 4. Write a critique of a musical or dance concert with knowledge of tap terminology and historical references in dance.

Lecture Content

Beginning tap dance techniques Posture Balance Arm leg coordination,  Performance techniques Focus Expression Dynamics Coordination Analysis and evaluation of tap dance Steps Choreography Terms Critical written evaluation of tap dance choreography and/or tap dance concert Guidelines History and important figures in the world of tap dance

Lab Content

Warm-ups and exercises Head, arm, and ankle circles Side bends Hamstring stretches Plie Leg swings Heel and toe drops Knee pops Prances Beginning tap warm-ups in the center and across the floor Shuffle Flap Cramp roll : black; Buffalo Spank Stomp Stamp Double flaps Time step Waltz clog Soft shoe Heel clicks Shim-sham Trenches Chasse Passe and retire Positions Parallel oman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: black; Turned out Jazz turns Stag leaps Jazz walks Simple isolations Upper body Lower body Limbs Beginning tap routines

Method(s) of Instruction

  • Lecture (02)
  • Lab (04)

Reading Assignments

Instructor handouts:  Tap terminology and vocabulary

Writing Assignments

Analysis and written critiques of visual materials (video, DVD, digital, online) as assigned Attendance at live tap dance concert for the purpose of critical evaluation

Out-of-class Assignments

Attend other tap dance classes in the community for extra credit. Analysis and critiques of visual materials (video, DVD, digital, online) as assigned Attendance at live tap dance concert for the purpose of critical evaluation

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

1.Monthly tests on the routines2.Class demonstration on the learned techniques3.Periodic tests on the tap combinations4.Written tests on the tap dance terminology and tap dance personalities

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

One dance concert critique is required. The student should attend one dance concert or musical and write a report describing the content.

Eligible Disciplines

Dance: Master's degree in dance, physical education with a dance emphasis, or theater with dance emphasis, OR bachelor's degree in any of the above AND master's degree in physical education, any life science, physiology, theater arts, kinesiology, humanities, performing arts, or music OR the equivalent. Master's degree required.

Other Resources

1. Instructor provided handouts Appropriate dancewear, leotard, tights or jazz pants, and tap shoes Optional digital and/or online recordings of accompaniments Optional digital and/or online video and audio recordings