This is an introductory course to the craft and process of choreography. Students will explore improvisational processes and study compositional structures used to create movement studies and develop choreography in an intelligent, productive manner and will create an original work during the semester to be performed in the spring dance concert.
DANC 250Choreographic Composition*
Please note: This is not a course syllabus. A course syllabus is unique to a particular section of a course by instructor. This curriculum guide provides general information about a course.
I. General Information
II. Course Specification
Course Type
Program Requirement
Credit Hours Narrative
2 Credits
Semester Contact Hours Lecture
90
Grading Method
Letter grade
III. Catalog Course Description
This is an introductory course to the craft and process of choreography. Students will explore improvisational processes and study compositional structures used to create movement studies and develop choreography in an intelligent, productive manner and will create an original work during the semester to be performed in the spring dance concert.
IV. Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to:
- Students will demonstrate a developed awareness and understanding of body, energy, space, time, and choreographic form in relation to the choreographic process through participation in technique and guided movement improvisational exercises executed in class.
- Students will analyze, critique, and discuss choreography in an intelligent, productive, respectful manner using movement vocabulary and processes covered in class.
- Students will proficiently choreograph a finished original piece to be presented in the spring dance concert and exhibit professional behavior at all times throughout the process.
- Students will attend and participate in scheduled rehearsals and performances including a professionally choreographed piece set on students for the spring concert. Students will meet all required deadlines, direct their original pieces, and perform in the CSI Spring Dance Concert, An Evening of Dance, scheduled at end of term.
V. Topical Outline (Course Content)
Instruction in technical movement skills and improvisational exercises connected to modern/contemporary dance making.
Instruction in elements of dance and choreographic form as it relates to movement and dance making.
Movement vocabulary used to analyze, critique, and discuss choreography in an intelligent, productive, respectful manner with colleagues, peers, artists, and patrons.
Reflective journal writing to record experiences, thought processes, choreography notes, inquiries, and growth.
Participate and collaborate in the creation of a new work.
Create an original piece, attend and participate in all scheduled rehearsals and performances, direct your piece, and communicate openly, respectfully, and professionally with dancers and technicians.
VI. Delivery Methodologies
Required Assignments
Attendance and participation in class. Students are expected to be in every class. Learning to dance requires that the body do it. Students will not gain body awareness, strength, flexibility, or the ability to learn new movement or generate their own movement by hearing about what happened in class from a classmate, or reading a book. There is no way to make up material or missed experiences. Students are granted one permissible absence and may make-up two absences per semester by participating in (if appropriate) or observing and writing a one-page reflection of another movement class (for each absence). The instructor must approve class make-ups.
Journal reflective writing. Improve oral, written, and critical thinking skills as they apply to movement and dance making through daily use of a dance journal.
Final Project. Create an original dance work on a small group of dancers to be presented in the spring dance concert, An Evening of Dance at end of term. Complete all tasks and meet all deadlines throughout the term in preparation for presenting your final work on stage.
Direct your original piece and perform in the professional piece set on the class in the spring dance concert, An Evening of Dance at end of term.
Conduct yourself professionally and respectfully at all times throughout the course of the term, final project, and show.
Required Exams
Formative (on-going) assessments:
Attendance and participation. Students will demonstrate progress toward mastery in technical movement skills and improvisational exercises as they relate to the choreographic process.
Professional behavior. Students will show an open willingness to collaborate and work with peers and colleagues on projects executed in and out of class. Students will exhibit respectful, professional behavior at all times.
Journal writing will be formatively assessed through weekly participation.
Summative assessments:
Students will be summatively assessed mid-term on their written work to date in their movement journals.
Students will be summatively assessed throughout the term for meeting scheduled deadlines and completing various projects leading up to the final product presentation.
Students will be summatively assessed at end of term on all aspects of their final project and professionalism.
Students will receive a summative assessment based on attendance and participation for the semester. To earn an A in this category students must consistently reach above and beyond average daily participation exhibiting energetic, attentive, inquisitive, and respectful attitudes.
Required Text
Required Text:"The Creative Habit: Learn it and Use it for Life", Twyla Tharp, Simon and Schuster Paperbacks, New York, NY, ©2003.Optional Texts:"The Intimate Act of Choreography", Lynne Anne Blom and L. Tarin Chaplin, University of Pittsburgh Press, Pittsburgh, PA, ©1982."The Art of Making Dances", Doris Humphrey, Princeton Book Company, Princeton, NJ (This is a seminal work in the field).
Specific Course Activity Assignment or Assessment Requirements
Attendance and participation in class. Students are expected to be in every class. Learning to dance requires that the body do it. Students will not gain body awareness, strength, flexibility, or the ability to learn new movement or generate their own movement by hearing about what happened in class from a classmate, or reading a book. There is no way to make up material or missed experiences. Students are granted one permissible absence and may make-up two absences per semester by participating in (if appropriate) or observing and writing a one-page reflection of another movement class (for each absence). The instructor must approve class make-ups.
Journal reflective writing. Improve oral, written, and critical thinking skills as they apply to movement and dance making through daily use of a dance journal.
Final Project. Create an original dance work on a small group of dancers to be presented in the spring dance concert, An Evening of Dance at end of term. Complete all tasks and meet all deadlines throughout the term in preparation for presenting your final work on stage.
Direct your original piece and perform in the professional piece set on the class in the spring dance concert, An Evening of Dance at end of term.
Conduct yourself professionally and respectfully at all times throughout the course of the term, final project, and show.
Formative (on-going) assessments:
Attendance and participation. Students will demonstrate progress toward mastery in technical movement skills and improvisational exercises as they relate to the choreographic process.
Professional behavior. Students will show an open willingness to collaborate and work with peers and colleagues on projects executed in and out of class. Students will exhibit respectful, professional behavior at all times.
Journal writing will be formatively assessed through weekly participation.
Summative assessments:
Students will be summatively assessed mid-term on their written work to date in their movement journals.
Students will be summatively assessed throughout the term for meeting scheduled deadlines and completing various projects leading up to the final product presentation.
Students will be summatively assessed at end of term on all aspects of their final project and professionalism.
Students will receive a summative assessment based on attendance and participation for the semester. To earn an A in this category students must consistently reach above and beyond average daily participation exhibiting energetic, attentive, inquisitive, and respectful attitudes.