I. ASCRC General Education Form (revised 9/15/09)
Use to propose new general education courses (except writing courses), to change existing
gen ed courses and to remove designations for existing gen ed courses.
Note: One-time-only general education designation may be requested for experimental courses
(X91-previously X95), granted only for the semester taught. A NEW request must be
submitted for the course to receive subsequent general education status.
Group
III. Language
VII: Social Sciences
(submit
III Exception: Symbolic Systems * VIII: Ethics & Human Values
separate forms X IV: Expressive Arts
IX: American & European
if requesting
V: Literary & Artistic Studies
X: Indigenous & Global
more than one
VI: Historical & Cultural Studies
XI: Natural Sciences
general
w/ lab  w/out lab 
education
group
*Courses proposed for this designation must be standing requirements of
designation)
majors that qualify for exceptions to the modern and classical language
requirement
Dept/Program School of Theatre & Dance
Course #
U DANC 160A
Course Title
Dance Forms: Irish
Prerequisite
Credits
2
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
Michele Antonioli
x2875
michele.antonioli@umontana.edu
Program Chair Mark Dean
x2879
Dean
Dr. Stephen Kalm
x4970
III. Type of request
New
One-time Only
X
Instructor
Phone / Email
Change
Remove
Date
Reason for Gen Ed inclusion, change or deletion
Irish dance has been previously taught as a
special topic course. DRAM 108A: Dance
Forms I was proposed and approved as a
general-education, lower-division course that
allows instructors to offer differing styles of
dance, one of which was to be Irish dance.
We now wish to offer a number of such styles
as their own courses under the Dance Forms
classification to signify each course’s unique
world dance form. As a result of our proposed
MUS Transfer Initiative common-course
numbering changes, we wish to split the old
DAN U 108A: Dance Forms I course into
three individual courses that mach our
proposed numbering system which will now
accommodate more course numbers and
group like types of courses together. DANC
160A: Dance Forms: Irish will now fit in the
DANC X60-X69 area for courses in
Cultural/World Dance.
Description of change
IV. Description and purpose of new general education course: General Education courses
must be introductory and foundational within the offering department or within the General
Education Group. They must emphasize breadth, context, and connectedness; and relate course
content to students’ future lives: See Preamble:
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/gened/GEPreamble_final.htm
Dance Forms: Irish is a dance technique class that teaches specific styles of Irish-dance technique. It is a
studio course that meets each criterion for the Expressive Arts Perspective. Students learn technique in
the dance style and apply these techniques and processes in the learning of dance phrases and
combinations. Students incorporate movement structures through learning dance language and
terminology for purposes of conveying meaning through dance. All technique students are required to
attend dance performances and write a critique that reflects upon and critically assesses the merits of
others’ work. These same assessment processes are used in class to reflect upon their own work and the
work of peers. The technique class allows students to perceive and articulate the relevance of artistic
expression in human experience.
V. Criteria: Briefly explain how this course meets the criteria for the group. See:
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/ASCRCx/Adocuments/GE_Criteria5-1-08.htm
1. Courses guide students, whether in individual
or group settings, to acquire foundational skills
to engage in the creative process and/or in
interpretive performance.
2. Through direct experience (for example,
attendance and involvement with live
performance, exhibitions, workshops, and
readings), students will engage in critical
assessment of their own work and the work of
others.
Students physically experience dance
kinesthetically. The mode of instruction includes
attention to the following areas, which lead to
technical formation of the dancer and familiarity
with the dance language: alignment, centering,
balance work; basic locomotion, basic axial
movement-flexion, extension, rotation; elevationtechniques, rhythmic awareness; basic positions
of the arms and feet; simple turns with and
without spotting; flexibility and strengthening
exercises; use of breath and vocalization.
Students reflect on and critically assess the
merits of their work in three main ways:
1. Students are required to attend three dance
concerts during a semester of dance
technique. They are encouraged to
voluntarily see all available dance
performances. The instructor requires a
written critique for these performances.
Guidelines are distributed prior to the
concert. Students must write a critique
referring to specific examples, so it is
recommended that they take notes either
during or after the concerts.
2. Students are required to perform their own
original compositions. Professors conduct
class discussion where students are held
responsible for the critique of their own work
and the creations of their peers.
3. A Dance Program critique of the Dance
Showcase is held every semester with
outside critics invited to share their
reflections on the merits of the
choreography. Choreographers are required
to attend and dancers are highly encouraged
to attend. The critique generally lasts two
hours and is held the week following the
production.
VI. Student Learning Goals: Briefly explain how this course will meet the applicable learning
goals. See: http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/ASCRCx/Adocuments/GE_Criteria5-1-08.htm
Using the movement vocabulary learned
(alignment, centering, balance work; basic
locomotion, basic axial movement-flexion,
extension, rotation; elevation-techniques,
rhythmic awareness; basic positions of the arms
and feet; simple turns with and without spotting;
flexibility and strengthening exercises; use of
breath and vocalization), students are able to
express themselves using the fundamentals of
Irish Dance.
2. Upon completion of this perspective, students Through attending performances of local
will be able to understand the genres and/or
companies and national/international
forms that have shaped the medium.
professional companies, and through viewing
dance works on video/DVD, students will
understand and differentiate between different
dance genres and the major forms that have
shaped the medium of dance.
3. Upon completion of this perspective, students The dance program values critique as part of the
will be able to critique the quality of their own
learning goals of all dance students. All students
work and that of others.
who study Irish dance are required to attend
concerts and write critiques about the quality of
the work they are seeing. In addition, students
are involved in class critiques where they critique
their own work and the work of their peers.
Students also participate in a Formal Critique
conducted by a guest critic from the Missoula
community.
VII. Justification: Normally, general education courses will not carry pre-requisites, will carry
at least 3 credits, and will be numbered at the 100-200 level. If the course has more than one
pre-requisite, carries fewer than three credits, or is upper division (numbered above the 200
level), provide rationale for exception(s).
We respectfully request an exception for this two-credit class. The requirements for the course, while
physically rigorous, equal the number of hours required for two credits, as many of our other 100-level
Group IV dance courses do. Rather than increase the credits and thus the course requirements, we feel
the two-credit designation is sensible and reasonable.
VIII. Syllabus: Paste syllabus below or attach and send digital copy with form.  The syllabus
should clearly describe how the above criteria are satisfied. For assistance on syllabus
preparation see: http://teaching.berkeley.edu/bgd/syllabus.html
1. Upon completion of this perspective, students
will be able to express themselves in the making
of an original work or creative performance.
DANC 160A
Dance Forms: Irish Dance
2 credits
School of Theatre & Dance
“Dance as if no one’s watching; sing as if no one’s listening,
and live everyday as if it were your last” Irish Proverb.
PARTV 035 (ballet studio)
Wednesdays from 11:10-1:00pm
Instructor:
Contact Information:
Office Hours:
Jaymie Lewis
(406) 439-1696
by appointment
jaymie@irishdancemt.com
I. Rationale:
This course exists to introduce students to Irish Step Dancing and Ceili Dancing for students
with limited to not dance experience.
II. Course Aims and Objectives:
Specific Learning Objectives:
By the end of this course, students will:
 Be able to dance and perform various basic traditional Irish Dancing moves (such as the
Skip 1 2’s, Leap 2 3’s, and 7’s) as well as Irish Dancing steps (rise and grind & sink
and grind) and be able to reflect on such learning in a ½ page journal entry each week.
 Be able to dance and perform various Ceili dances from Ar Rinci Foirne, and apply
learning to social Ceili setting, as well as answer questions about various movements
in aforementioned Ceili dances.
 Have a greater understanding and insight into the historical and cultural traditions
behind various Irish Dancing traditions, as well as the connection dance has to music.
 Be able to identify dances by their parts and movements as well as music.
III. Format and Procedures:
Class will meet each Wednesday from 11:10am-1:00pm. Please arrive promptly so we can
start on time. Each class will start with a warm-up and stretch, followed by a review of the
previous class’s dances. Absolutely no food and drink is allowed in the dance studio.
Attendance and participation are mandatory. Be sure to come ready to dance, wearing
comfortable clothes that you can move around in. Absolutely no outside street shoes are
allowed in the studio. You are welcome to wear jazz shoes or Irish Dancing shoes if you
choose, however dancing barefoot or in gym shoes is also fine. On average we will work on
three dances a week. Each week dancers are asked to either turn in or email a 1/2 page journal
entry reflecting on the dances learned throughout the previous week. There is no set format for
the journal entry; however students should show learning and greater understanding of the
material, addressing specific movements or figures within the dances, and using correct
terminology. Once a month, a brief quiz will be given on the dances and movements having
been worked on. Students will have advanced warning of such quizzes and sample questions
will be given to prepare students for the first quiz.
IV. Course Requirements:
1. Class attendance and participation policy: Class attendance and participation is mandatory.
If a student knows that they are going to miss a class, they need to clear it in advance. Arriving
promptly is also important. Dancers arriving late will receive a 5 point deduction from their
daily participation grade. Only two unexcused absences are allowed a semester before it is
reflected in your grade, with a 25 point deduction for each unexcused absence beyond two. A
large percentage of your grade (50%) is based on attendance and participation, so please be
sure to be an active and engaged learner! Extra-credit or make-up classes will be offered once
a month in the form of an evening Ceili. If a student is unable to attend class one day, it can be
exchanged with participating in a local Ceili (dates to be announced in class throughout the
semester). Attendance at a Ceili will only count once towards extra-credit or an unexcused
make-up class.
2. Course readings: There is no required text for this course, however, if you are looking for
background reading material I can point out a few good resources. There are also several books
available to take home and read, although none are required reading.
3. Extra-Credit & Make-Up Assignments: Once a month we are looking to host a Ceili on
campus. Attendance at a Ceili can count towards extra-credit or unexcused absence make-up.
In order to count towards either, students must write a 1 page double spaced reflection on the
experience. Extra credit will also be given for a written book report or presentation to the class.
Books will be made available that focus on the history of Irish Dancing and Ceili Dancing.
4. Journal Assignments: Each Wednesday, students are expected to either hand in, or email a ½
page reflection on the dances learned during the previous week. This reflection is to serve as a
dialogue. Ask any questions you may still have, or explain the parts of a dance in an effort to
show understanding. Basically, show that you have learned the material, and reflect on its
relevance to you. Journals will make up 30% of your grade.
5. Quizzes: Once a month there will be a brief quiz on dances learned. The quizzes will relate
to either specific movements in the dance, or ask you to identify the type of dance a particular
Ceili dance is (reel, jig, double jig, etc). Advanced notice will be given about quizzes, as well
as a study guide. Quizzes will make up 20% of your grade.
V. Grading Procedures: Grades will be based on attendance and participation, as well as
journal entries, and quiz scores. The final course grade will be based on the following grade
scale.
1. Final Grade Break Down
50% Attendance and Participation
30% Journals
20% Quizzes
2. Grade (% of total class points)
90% = A
80% = B
70% = C
60 %= D
59% = F
VI. Academic Misconduct and the Student Conduct Code
All students must practice academic honesty. Academic misconduct is subject to an academic
penalty by the course instructor and/or disciplinary sanction by the University. All students
need to be familiar with the Student Conduct Code. The Code is available for review online at
www.umt.edu/SA/VPSA/Index.cfm/page/1321.
VII. Accommodations for students with disabilities
In compliance with the University of Montana policy and equal access laws, I am available to
discuss appropriate academic accommodations that may be required for student with
disabilities. Requests for academic accommodations are to be made during the first three weeks
of the semester, except for unusual circumstances, so arrangements can be made. Students are
encouraged to register with Student Disability Services to verify their eligibility for appropriate
accommodations.
VIII. Additional Resource Readings
All Theatre & Dance students must have an in-depth knowledge of the practices and procedures
outlined in the School of Theatre & Dance Handbook. The Handbook is available online at
http://www.sfa.umt.edu/drama/index.html.
Please note: Approved general education changes will take effect next fall.
General education instructors will be expected to provide sample assessment items and
corresponding responses to the Assessment Advisory Committee.