Academic Catalogs

DANC G119: Hip Hop Dance

Course Outline of Record
Item Value
Curriculum Committee Approval Date 02/01/2022
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
Grading Policy Standard Letter (S), 
  • Pass/No Pass (B)
Local General Education (GE)
  • GWC Lifelong Understanding (GE)
California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth)
  • CSU E2 Activity Course (E2)

Course Description

This course will instruct students in various styles of hip hop dance such as breaking, freestyle, locking, popping and other evolving contemporary dance forms at the beginning/intermediate level. Course overview is intended to cover the basic footwork, variations, styling, rhythms and timing. Instruction might also include additional hip hop techniques such as street dance, B-boying and improvisation. Course is designed for the student with little or no previous hip hop dance instruction. Transfer Credit: CSU.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

  1. Course Outcomes
  2. Demonstrate the basic patterns of selected hip hop dances at the beginning/intermediate level.
  3. Demonstrate hip hop alignment, balance, coordination, strength, flexibility and endurance at a beginning/intermediate level.
  4. Demonstrate varied styles and characteristics of hip hop dances at a beginning/intermediate level.
  5. Use basic rhythmic hip hop movements and locomotor patterns accurately with appropriate musical accompaniment at a beginning/intermediate level.

Course Objectives

  • 1. Use basic hip hop dance footwork with variations in styling, rhythms and timing.
  • 2. Demonstrate hip hop dance styles such as breaking, freestyle, locking, popping and other evolving contemporary dance forms at the beginning/intermediate level.
  • 3. Explore the use of space, energy, rhythm and improvisation in hip hop dance while emphasizing body control, alignment, balance and weight changes at a beginning/intermediate level.

Lecture Content

Introduction to hip hop Terminology and vocabulary History Social and cultural relevance Hip Hop dances Basic steps and techniques One or more variations per dance Characteristics Dance rhythms Principles of freestyle hip hop dancing Music Music phrasing Relating specific dances to music Tempos for the specific hip hop dance rhythms Tempo/beats per measure for the specific dance

Lab Content

Dances Breaking Locking Popping Freestyle Improvisation Street dance B-boying Evolving contemporary hip hop dance forms Body posture Weight distribution and balance Foot positions Acrobatics, gymnastics, aerials Combinations of movements on the floor Falls Body rolls Shoulder stands Shoulder rolls Sit spins Styles Body styling Foot styling Syncopated/double time and half-time movement Introduction to hip hop choreography Performance techniques Vocabulary Choreography techniques Solo choreography Group choreography

Method(s) of Instruction

  • Lecture (02)
  • Lab (04)

Reading Assignments

Handouts prepared by instructor. Terminology and vocabulary.

Writing Assignments

Analyze and critique materials as assigned. Attend a live hip hop dance concert performance or competition for the purpose of critical evaluation. Identify hip hop dances appropriate to specific musical examples at beginning/intermedia level Analyze hip hop dance in historical and social context in a written format at a intermediate/advanced level.

Out-of-class Assignments

Attend hip hop dance classes in the community for extra credit. Attend a live hip hop dance concert performance or competition for the purpose of critical evaluation.

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Attend a live hip hop dance concert performance or competition for the purpose of critical evaluation. Analyze hip hop dance in historical and social context in a written format at a beginning/intermediate level.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Identify hip hop dance appropriate for specific musical accompaniment.  Prepare individual and group choreography and freestyle improvisation. Attend a live hip hop dance concert performance or competition for the purpose of critical evaluation.

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.

Other Resources

1. Subject matter handouts from instructor. 2. Appropriate dancewear and shoes. 3. Recordings of accompaniments. 4. Recordings of materials.