I. ASCRC General Education Form (revised 1/27/11)
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 220A
Course Title
Prerequisite
Beginning Composition
DANC 200A
Credits
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
Instructor
Contact
Phone / Email
2
Date
Michele Antonioli
x2875
michele.antonioli@umontana.edu
Program Chair Mark Dean
Director
x2879
Dean
Dr. Stephen Kalm
III. Type of request
New
One-time Only
Renew
Change
Remove
X
Reason for Gen Ed inclusion, change or deletion
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://umt.edu/facultysenate/archives/minutes/gened/GE_preamble.aspx
Through the practice of improvisation, choreographic principles, reflection, and evaluation, students will
learn methods to compose dance. As the attached syllabus reflects, students create original dance works,
applying the principles of the medium, incorporating the structures and forms of dance language,
reflecting and critiquing their work, and articulating the relevance of the work. A course text is assigned in
addition to dance/movement assignments.
V. Criteria: Briefly explain how this course meets the criteria for the group. See:
http://umt.edu/facultysenate/documents/forms/GE_Criteria5-1-08.aspx
Students learn to compose dances through
exposure to diverse compositional forms and
methodologies. They spend the semester
exploring the kinesthetic experience, composing
numerous short choreographic studies, and
applying the techniques and processes in the
area of choreography; this leads to a larger
composition at the end of the course.
Through direct experience (for example,
Students use choreographic elements and tools,
attendance and involvement with live
including phrase, body, space, time, energy,
performance, exhibitions, workshops, and
quality, form, abstraction, and sound to convey
readings), they will engage in critical
meaning using choreographic strategies. Once
assessment of their own work and the work of
performed in class, these dances are analyzed
others.
and discussed throughout the semester.
VI. Student Learning Goals: Briefly explain how this course will meet the applicable learning
goals. See: http://umt.edu/facultysenate/documents/forms/GE_Criteria5-1-08.aspx
Express themselves in the making of an original Students learn to compose dances through
work or creative performance.
exposure to diverse compositional forms and
methodologies. They spend the semester
composing numerous short choreographic
studies, applying the techniques and processes
in the area of choreography; this leads to a larger
composition at the end of the course.
Understand the genres and/or forms that have
Dance composition class celebrates and
shaped the medium.
highlights the extraordinary voice of the human
spirit expressed through the art form of dance. A
wide range of dances are choreographed over
the course of the semester, expressing the depth
and breadth of the human experience. A wide
variety of different dance genres and
choreographic forms are explored to ensure a
breadth of experience with dance composition.
Critique the quality of their own work and that
Students discuss, self-critique, and observe the
of others.
development of intent, theme and subject matter
in their own compositions and the works of
others. Reflection and discussion and revision
comprise a major part of class time.
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).
The requirements for the course, while physically and academically rigorous, equal the number of hours
required for two credits, as many of our other 200-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.
Courses guide students, whether in individual
or group settings, to acquire foundational skills
to engage in the creative process and/or in
interpretive performance.
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
The University of Montana, School of Theatre & Dance
Spring 2011: Beginning Composition
2 credits
34133 – DANC 220A-01
M W 9:10-10:30 am
Instructor: Heidi Jones Eggert
Phone: (406) 243-2832
Email: heidi.eggert@umontana.edu
Office: PARTV 186
Office hours: Tues 12:30-2:00
Thurs 9:00-10:30
We look at the dance to impart the sensation of living in an affirmation of life, to energize the spectator
into keener awareness of the vigor, the mystery, the humor, the variety, and the wonder of life. This is
the function of the American dance. ~ Martha Graham
Course Description
A discussion and laboratory based class. Through the practice of improvisation, choreographic
principles, reflection and evaluation – students will learn methods to compose dance.
Required Text
 Blom, Lynne and Chaplin, L. Tarin. The Intimate Act of Choreography. Pittsburg: University
of Pittsburg Press, 1982.
 Supplementary readings as assigned.
Objectives
 To explore improvisations as vehicles through which student come to understand and learn
various choreographic principles.
 To explore creative processes designed so one becomes familiar with traditional choreographic
elements and tools such as: phrase, body, space, time, energy, quality, form, abstraction, sound,
performance and evaluation.
 To discover a personal method and creative process to shape material derived from
improvisational work into choreographic studies.
 To invent new, fresh and personal movement vocabulary.
 To develop an understanding of the vital importance of intent, theme and subject matter within
one’s choreography.
 To develop a way to deliver and receive feedback and criticism in a way that is constructive.
Methods
The following will enable objectives to be met: completion of assigned readings, participation in
discussion, improvisation and choreographic studies, self and peer evaluation, archiving creative process
and product in both journal and video format throughout the semester.
Course Content
Specific schedule of readings, improvisations, studies and the arrangement of content will be determined
as the course progresses and according to the student’s development and needs.
Approach
 Providing structure for improvisations.
 Lecture/video references to serve as roots and means from which choreographic studies will
develop.
Essentials
 Isolating choreographic intention.
 Implementing thematic content to motivate intent (choreography is an opportunity to SAY
something).
 Movement invention
Phrase
 Methods of creation
 High point
Space
 Level
 Direction, dimension, plane
 Pathway, floor patterns
 Line (curved, straight, angular, symmetrical, asymmetrical)
 Positive and Negative space
 Stage Space
 Environment (dynamic space, symbolic space, site-specific)
Time
 Phrasing
 Breath
 Momentum (acceleration/deceleration)
 Accent
 Stillness
Dynamics
 Energy: High / Low
 Force: Strong / Gentle
 Movement qualities: Percussive / Sustained
Sound
 Music
 Words
Form
 Landscape as form
 Transition
 Sequence
 Compositional structures
 Choreographic devices
Performance
 Weekly studies and showings
 Site-specific concert framing Dance In Concert, April 27-30
 Final showing – Thursday, May 12th 10:10am – 12:10pm PARTV 005
Course Requirements
1.
Studio Work: Improvisations, Studies: (40%) Each student will participate in improvisational
structures and present choreographic studies as assigned. Each study must be individually titled and
regarded as a complete entity in and of itself. There is a fundamental expectation in this course that you
will approach each of the assignments as an inventor, exploring and defining your own movement
language. The studies in choreography are the equivalent of essays in a composition class. Both solo
and group studies are required throughout the semester. Students will be graded according to:
* Effort to fulfill the requirements of each study
* Effort to communicate through complete thoughts – beginning-middle-end.
* Effort to rise to the challenge of the studies
* Ability to thoughtfully articulate intent
* Inventiveness. To experiment beyond the classroom phrases learned day to day in technique
classes. Composition offers unlimited opportunity to shape movement the choreographer has already
learned and transform it into one’s own.
NOTE: Students are not permitted to “make up” studies they miss due to absence.
2.
Discussion and Critique: (20%)
Directed improvisations and choreographic studies will
be discussed, reflected upon and evaluated during class, through journaling and on Moodle. Students
will deliver and receive feedback in a critically constructive manner that goes beyond the subjective “I
liked it.” Students must thoughtfully construct their feedback and be able to justify their critique.
3.
Journal: (5%) Students are expected to record ideas for choreography, important notes about
the tools, exercises, skills, the structures and concepts used to create choreography, feedback, criticism,
notes for improvement, questions as well as topics that arise through discussion and assigned readings.
Students are expected to bring the journal/notebook to each class session. This will be submitted twice
over the course of the semester.
4.
Video: (5%) Students are expected to have a video recording device available for
choreographic showings each day. This visual tool enables students to archive their work and reflect
upon / learn from past studies. One DVD or flash drive containing your semesters work will be
submitted at the conclusion of the semester.
5.
Showings: (20%)
Students are required to publicly show a developed site-specific
choreographic study at the School of Theatre & Dance’s Dance In Concert, April 27-30. These
showings will take place around the PARTV building before the performance, during intermission and
following each scheduled show.
Final showing – Thursday, May 12th 10:10am – 12:10pm PARTV 005: The goal of the final
composition project is to provide an opportunity for the choreographer to exhibit the tools s/he has
learned throughout the semester. Secondarily, this project provides the chance for the choreographer to
decide what her or his motivation for the piece is, and on what specifically s/he wishes to focus.
6.
Creative Process and Choreographic Criticism Essay: (10%) To learn more about the
creative and choreographic process, students are required to interview a peer choreographer who is
producing work this semester in the Dance New Works (March 8-12). Write a five-page essay that both
documents the peer choreographer’s process as well as your personal choreographic criticism of their
work.
Due: Wed. March 23rd. More details to follow.
*Attendance Policy
Two absences are permitted for the term. After two absences, a student’s grade
will drop one-third of a letter grade. (B to B-, B- to C+…)
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 http://life.umt.edu/vpsa/student_conduct.php.
** All Theatre & Dance students must have an in-depth knowledge of the practices and procedures
outlined in the School of Theatre & Dance Student Handbook. The Handbook is available online at
http://www.umt.edu/theatredance/about/handbook.
There is inherent risk involved in many Theatre & Dance classes as they are very physical in nature.
Please proceed through class, shop time, or rehearsal with caution. Always be mindful of your personal
safety and the safety of others. Students participating in class/shop/rehearsal/performance do so at their
own risk.
The University of Montana assures equal access to instruction through collaboration between students
with disabilities, instructors, and Disability Services for Students (DSS). If you think you may have a
disability adversely affecting your academic performance, and you have not already registered with
DSS, please contact DSS in Lommasson 154. I will work with you and DSS to provide an appropriate
accommodation.
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.