Department of Performing Arts at Eastridge

DEPARTMENT OF PERFORMING ARTS AT EASTRIDGE

World Dance

2011-2011

Instructor: Mrs. Brescia

E-mail:

Phone: 339-1491

COURSE TITLE: World Dance GRADES: 10-12

OBJECTIVE: World Dance is an exploration of world cultures through dance. Students will expand their dance literacy through movement and embodied dance history.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Students will study the historical and anthropological significance of dance, as well as experience the movement qualities of different world cultures. This course will examine dance as the link between humanity’s basic instinct to communicate and express world perspective through movement. This year the class will look specifically at the cultures and dances of India, Africa, North and South America and Europe. The course will include movement classes, lectures, films, writing, reading, and guest artists.

KEY LEARNINGS:

To develop an understanding of the personal and cultural forces that shape artistic communication and how the arts in turn shape the diverse cultures of past and present.
To learn dances from many cultures and time periods and recognize their relationship to various cultural, social and historical contexts.
To recognize that dance is performed in many different cultural settings and serves many functions in diverse societies.

To effectively work in collaboration with others by sharing verbal and movement ideas.
To become familiar with specific dance forms from Africa, India, Europe and South and North America.

MATERIALS & RESOURCES:

Writing journal/compositional notebook
Girls Dance Attire: Close fitting sweats with a t-shirt, tank top, or leotard. Make sure you can move in your clothes and nothing is “hanging out”. 1 point will be deducted from your participation if you are unprepared for class. This includes asking to go to your locker to get your clothes! Hair must be secured from face and neck. No jewelry.
Boys Dance Attire: Close fitting sweats or gym shorts with a t-shirt or tank top. No jewelry.

ATTENDANCE: Regular attendance is expected of all students. Regular class attendance includes arriving on time, being prepared with proper materials, and participating in class. Students are to go to their lockers and use the bathroom during passing time. In the event of an absence, students are responsible to find out what class material they missed. Students must pass dance technique in order to receive a physical education credit for the school year.

FINAL PERFORMANCE: Dance Styles is a performance class, which means you are required to perform in the end of the year show. The final performance counts for 20% of your overall grade. Failure to participate in the final performance will result in a failing grade for the course. The only exception is injury with a valid doctor’s note in which case you will be provided with an alternate assignment. The end of the year show is May 31st, 2011 at 7:30 in the EHS Auditorium. Technical rehearsal will be May 30th, 2011 from 2:30-5:00. There are absolutely no exceptions to either dates or times. Adjust your schedule accordingly (take off from work, secure a ride, etc.).

ASSESSMENT:

Each quarter is based upon an average of the following criteria:

40% Skill Building/Movement Studies/Movement Practicum

30% Applied Practices/Journal Entries

20% Participation

10% Homework/Test/Quiz *Course grade is an average of all marking periods and final performance

Course Outline

Unit I: North America/Popular & Social Dance throughout history

This unit will focus on popular teenage dance and how media, music, and pop culture influence and create new dances.

Essay: Research a popular dance form of your teenage culture.
Movement Study #1: “Mix It Up” Creating New Popular Dances

Unit II: Tribal Rites and Ritual Dance

This unit will focus analyzing primitive culture, ritual elements found in dance, dance in tribal societies, gender roles in dance, and tribal rites in modern society

Conventions of Dance
Mask Making
Movement Study #2: Create an original group piece based the functions and elements of the ritual dance your mask was based on.

Unit III: Native American Dance

This unit will focus on the culture and dance forms of Native Americans

Film
Native American Dance Steps
Corn Husk Dolls
Movement Study #3: Using the cultural history of Native Americans to create movement

Unit IV: Traditional European

This unit will focus on Traditional Irish Dance and Irish Dance Dramas

Introduction to Irish Dance Forms
Movement Study #4: Exploring movement using Irish mythology

Unit V: Dance In Asia

This unit will acquaint students with dance as a spiritual discipline to honor deities within the (Buddhist) Temple, as well as, the differences between folk and classical approaches to dances of Japan and China.

Traditional Japanese Dance (style, historical factors, training methods, purpose, music, Kabuki Theatre, Noh Theatre, Bunraku Puppet Theatre, Butoh Theatre)
Movement Study #5: Kabuki, Noh, Bunraku, or Butoh Theatre
Traditional Chinese Dance (style, historical factors, training methods, purpose, music, folk vs. court dance, ribbon dancing, traditional Chinese ceremonies)
Movement Study #6: Dragon Races

Unit VI: Latin Dance

This unit will focus on the function, role, and cultural significance of dance in Latin America

Dance in Cuba, Spain and Argentina
Research Project

Unit VII: Classical Indian

This unit will focus on Hinduism (myths, legends, rituals, and folklore) as well Bharantanatyam and Bollywood.

Movement Study #7

Unit VIII:African Dance

This unit will look at the animistic characteristics in dances of Western Africa. Students will experience how the polyrhythmic nature of music and dance form an interdependent statement. Specific focus will be on traditional dances of West Africa.

Unit IX: ShowBuilding

Choreography for end of the year showcase
Final research paper

HOMEWORK POLICIES & CLASSROOM RULES:

It is the student’s responsibility to hand in all assignments by the deadline given. A whole letter grade will be deducted for each day your assignment is not turned in after the due date. If you are absent, you should be prepared to hand in your work the day you return. I will not chase you down to get an assignment – if you don’t hand it in, you get a zero.

Students must keep all materials distributed in their dance folder; if you lose something you are responsible for obtaining another copy from a classmate.

Students must bring their journal and a writing utensil to every class or keep their journal in their dance folder.

Students should be prepared to dance everyday. Students who are unprepared and do not participate in the day’s class will receive a 0 for the day. If you leave your clothes in the classroom you will have until the end of the week to claim it, after that it goes to Goodwill.

Students are expected to change as soon as they enter the room, not after the bell rings. Student’s who enter the dance studio after the bell rings will be considered tardy. School policies regarding tardiness will be adhered to. If you are not done changing by the time I start class – you are tardy. You have 5 minutes after the bell rings to change into your dance clothes.

Students must come to class with a positive attitude and be open to learning new approaches and techniques. Don’t ask me if you can sit out because you are having a bad day. Bad days are a part of life; my answer will be no every time.

Students must respect each other and the instructor. Students will exhibit proper classroom behavior. No foul language will be tolerated!

No food or beverages (other than bottled water) are allowed in the classroom unless approved by the instructor. No chewing gum! No cell phones! Cell phones are not permitted in the dance studio – you may store them with your personal belongings or in your locker. School policies regarding cell phone use will be adhered to.

Students will respect the dance space/locker rooms and are responsible for keeping it tidy.

Students are expected to use the bathroom during passing time, not during class time.

Students are expected to dance every class, if you are injured you must provide a note from your doctor saying you are unable to dance. Injury does not include being “sore” from cheerleading, sports, etc.

Not applying with the above rules will affect your grade.

Have fun, smile, be brave, try new things, learn, and grow!

Dance Styles

Signature Sheet

Please sign below and return just the signature page to me next class.

I have read the above syllabus and understand the requirements of the class:

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