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dance 304b
modern iii: intermediate level

in pursuit of a relative and individualized ideal

Instructor’s Educational Philosophy
Dance class is a learning environment where we expose ourselves to set, experiential and improvised material by a.) respecting and expanding our own facilities and abilities and b.) incorporating training and educational aims, skills and knowledge, technique and expression. While sharing phrase material we are challenged to work on our own learning and training goals.

Course Overview
Modern III is an intermediate level course building on your existing training. At this level you are expected to be familiar with studio practice, and eager to analyze and integrated new material with peers and by asking the instructor informed questions. You apply general and individual feedback.

I teach a non-codified contemporary dance class informed by Graham, Cunningham, Release based work and Integrated Dance. The class is structured progressively, providing a balance between repetition, developing existing material and introducing new phrases.

The first week of classes is used to place students in the appropriate level. Expect to be in one level for at least a year. It takes time and regular practice to understand, hone skills and truly improve. We will hold a collective midterm class meeting to give feedback and answer questions.

Class Questionnaire
As the instructor I aim to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for a diverse community of learners. We all have different circumstances and may need accommodations to meet the requirements and objectives outlined here. For this purpose, read and fill in the confidential online WebQ by Wednesday, October 7, 10PM.

Class requirements

• In The Studio
• Take and share responsibility in creating an accessible class environment. Make your needs known, while respecting the needs of others. Work safely and effectively in class and be respectful of your peers and instructors.
• Commit to the class schedule and arrive on time and prepared for the class. This includes:
  • Please change in the locker rooms on the lower level, no changing on upper level.
  • Wear comfortable clothing that reveals the movement detail and allows you to move with clarity, vigor and commitment. I work with floor material, make sure you have layers to protect legs and shoulders. Be barefoot or wear socks. Participants needing to wear shoes, please bring a dedicated pair of indoor shoes. Do not wear jewelry and watches or use lotions, talc etc. on exposed skin.
  • Use a locker with a padlock on the upper level to keep your belongings safe. No street shoes, bags, beverages or food in the studios, water allowed in plastic bottles.
• Participation goes beyond attending, be an active contributor, explore the material and aim always to dance at performance level.
• Observe class when injured and work with adaptations where appropriate. Do not attend class while being ill or contagious.
• Contact the instructor with a reason for absences.
• Make sure you can be reached via your campus email. Check your account regularly.

Beyond The Studio

Attend two concerts:

• The Chamber Dance Company Concert, Oct 22-25 and the Faculty Dance Concert, Dec 2-6 in the Meany Hall Theater is mandatory. You are responsible to get your own ticket and to hand in the ticket stub as proof of attendance. Please note: Using art to highlight community need, the Dance Program will be collecting non-perishable food items for the University Food Bank in Meany lobby during Chamber Dance Company perform.
• If you have concerns about the course or your instructor, please speak to the instructor as soon as possible. If you are not comfortable talking with the instructor or are not satisfied with the response you receive, please contact the dance program chair, Betsy Copper, in Meany Hall 255, bcoop@u.washington.edu

Important Dates

• Week 2: Wednesday, October 7, complete WebQ
• Week 4: October 22-25, Chamber Dance Company concert, Meany Theater
• Week 5: Friday, October 30, complete midterm WebQ
• Week 6: Thursday, November 5, midterm class meeting
• Week 10: December 2-6, Faculty Dance concert, Meany Studio Theater
• Week 11: Friday, December 11, public class showing, last day to submit concert ticket stubs

Class Objectives and Learning Outcomes
The course procedures and the teaching strategies encourage and challenge you to:

• Understand and implement the course requirements.
• Understand the demands the movement material makes on your physical facilities and conceptual abilities and develop your dancing skills and knowledge. This includes:
  • Skills in rhythmic, movement and compositional analysis.
  • Stamina, both physical and mental, allowing you to sustain your use of energy and inquisitive concentration over the duration of a phrase, the class and the term.
  • Awareness of your particular physical and expressive range and how to appropriately interpret and perform the set and improvisational structures in this class.
  • Physical and expressive range, increasing your articulation in the sense of muscular strength and joint flexibility as well as eloquence in the sense of clearly revealing the origin and properties of the movement material.
  • Strength and appropriate control, avoiding extraneous tension allowing you to move in a connected coordinate way with a safe sense of alignment and use of energy.
  • Integrating new material and retaining it for future classes. Given active participation and full commitment to dancing in class, you will improve in the objectives above and increase your current level of skills and knowledge in dance.

Dance Major Learning Goals
These goals were devised by the Dance Program Faculty in consultation with the Office of Instructional Assessment.

1. Understand dance as a cultural practice that reflects and impacts local communities and global cultures.
2. Develop and practice analytic, evaluative, and contextual skills requisite to critical thinking, kinesthetic understanding, and personal growth.
3. Develop and practice skills in rhythmic, movement and compositional analysis.
4. Develop effective communication and research skills to promote and articulate a deeper understanding of dance practice and theory.
5. Engage in personal assessment and reflective practices that encourage self-directed learning.
6. Understand how basic principals of dance science and teaching methodologies can be applied to technical and aesthetic development.
7. Recognize and expand creative, artistic, and intellectual potentials.

Evaluation and Grading
The grades are determined via the continuous assessment of your in class contributions as well as notes I take on dedicated showing days, which happen every other Thursday. View the grading rubric for a detailed breakdown.

Participation (30%)
You implement the class requirements and participate fully. You attend the required concerts, submit the class questionnaire and midterm review.

Understanding of Class Objectives and Principles (70%)
You are able to demonstrate your clear understanding of the movement material and class structure in performance, questions and conversation. You move skillfully and work effectively. You demonstrate the ability to integrate feedback and work on personal aims.