SOUTHWESTERN MICHIGAN COLLEGE
DIVISION OF ACADEMIC STUDIES
Dowagiac, Michigan
COURSE SYLLABUS
FALL Semester/Session 2010
COURSE TITLE: Social Ballroom Dance COURSE NO.:CDAN 102 SECTION NO.: 1989
CREDITS/CONTACTS: Credit Hours: 1
Lecture hours/weekly: 0
Laboratory hours/weekly: 2
Weekly Contact Hours: 2
Final Exam Information: To be determined by instructor.
INSTRUCTOR: Ms. Beth LaBaren-Root
783-2112 /
Office Hours: Lyons 128
MW 1-2pm, TR 4:30-5:30, F 10-11am
PREREQUISITE: None
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is for individuals who already have acquired basic skills in or have taken the introductory course Social Ballroom Dance and want to continue improving their skills. Students will learn more complex fiqures, skills and partnering and practice in studio with instructor guidance and feedback.
COURSE OUTCOMES: At the conclusion of the course students will:
1. Understand key concepts of movement and how to apply them to ballroom dancing.
2. Demonstrate basic partnering, leading or following.
3. Execute basic ballroom dance figures.
TEXTBOOK: None required.
METHOD OF INSTRUCTION: Instruction will involve practical dance technique and combinations, lecture, video, and reading.
EVALUATION METHOD: 100% Participation
GRADING SCALE: 93.4-100% = A 93.3-90% = A-
86.8-89.9% = B+ 83.4-86.7% = B 80-83.3% = B-
76.8-79.9% = C+ 73.4-76.7% = C 70-73.3% = C-
66.8-69.9% = D+ 63.4-66.7% = D 60-63.3% = D-
0-59% = F
ATTENDANCE POLICY: You are expected to attend every class as regular attendance is crucial to your success.
Be on the floor ready to begin at the start of class. The classroom door will be locked for security after this point and admittance will not be allowed for tardy students. Three tardys will equal one absence.
The instructor may excuse absences related to performances representing the college, funeral, serious illness/injury etc… Appropriate documentation must be provided.
TESTING POLICY: Testing will involve practical evaluations/assessments of skills.
NOTICE: Representative student work will be used as a part of SMC’s on-going curriculum assessment program.
ATTENDANCE POLICY: Due to the nature of the course, students are expected to attend every class session. Material covered in each class session will prepare you for the next.
OTHER COURSE EXPECTATIONS
· It is recommended that students enroll with a partner for this class and both must be registered.
· Students should dress in comfortable, breathable clothing for ease of movement and to prevent overheating. Select clothing choices that do not allow undergarments to show, skirts should be full enough to move in and within 2 inches of knee, chest, back and midriff areas must be covered.
· Students should be aware of personal grooming due to close proximity to other students required while partnering.
· Danceable shoes are recommended during class, shoes with leather and non-stick/ non-marking soles.
· Students should carry shoes to class to prevent tracking outside dirt into the studio. Clean off soles of shoes so they are clean for studio use (if they are shoes that have been worn outside).
· Long hair must be pulled back or up and out of face during class.
· Do not wear large jewelry to class, large rings, bracelets/ watches, earrings, necklaces as these things can get in the way when partnering.
· Cell phones should be removed from belt clips and silenced during class. See policy.
· Bring a water bottle to during class and small hand towel to use.
· No food or other beverages are allowed in Lyons 128.
ACCEPTABLE USE OF PERSONAL COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
All phones, iPods, Black Berries, palm pilots, pagers, laptops and other technological devices including devices capable of taking photographs must be turned off or placed on vibrate mode and may not be brought out during class. If you are expecting or receiving an urgent call, you are required to leave the classroom before answering. Violation of this policy will result in your removal from the classroom for the class period. Multiple violations of this policy will be referred to the appropriate dean for disciplinary action. Further details or ramifications of violations maybe found elsewhere in this syllabus. The instructor has the right to modify this policy to meet the needs of your course.
HONESTY POLICY Cheating or plagiarizing will absolutely not be tolerated at Southwestern Michigan College. Any student found cheating or plagiarizing material in any manner may be assigned a failing semester/session grade in this course. A second such incident while at SMC could result in suspension or expulsion from the institution. A student found in violation of this section of the syllabus will not be allowed to drop this course. Additional detail regarding cheating and/or plagiarism may be found elsewhere in this syllabus. For more detailed information consult the SMC Student Code of Conduct.
NOTICE: Information in this syllabus was, to the best knowledge of the instructor, considered correct and complete when distributed for use at the beginning of the semester. The instructor, however, reserves the right, acting within the policies and procedures of Southwestern Michigan College, to make changes in course content or instructional techniques.
COURSE OUTLINE Each class will build upon the previous, handouts for practice will be provided at the end of class.
BIBLIOGRAPHY