DANC 118A.01
Dance Forms: Tap
Aug 27, 2012-Dec 14, 2012
School of Theatre & Dance
M/W 4:10-5pm
SG 123
INSTRUCTOR: LINDA MURPHY
Email: 4mtmurphy@msn.com
Phone: 370-9979
Course Description: Basic Tap Dance
This class is an introduction to tap dance technique, focusing on developing strength,
coordination, technical facility and musicality.
Course Objective:
To participate in technical training to introduce the technique and tradition of an American art
form: tap dance.
- To familiarize students with basic tap vocabulary
- To increase the students comprehension of musicality
- To develop in the student an understanding of dance as a means of human expression
Course Content:
Objectives will be fulfilled through the following means:
- The introduction and building of tap vocabulary
- A series of short tap combinations/or routine
- Learning traditional dances such as time steps and/or shim-sham
- 2-page mid-session paper on history of tap dance/ a tap dancer/ (list of subjects will
be provided).
- Viewing and discussion of film clips involving tap dance/dancers
Materials:
- TAP SHOES ARE REQUIRED FOR THIS CLASS! They are the equivalent
of a textbook.
- Notebook for writing tap steps/combinations
!!Attendance Policy!!
The majority of the learning in this class is experiential and it is therefore difficult to make-up
the information taught in class. Make it a priority to attend class, be on time or early and practice
what you have learned in class on your own time. You are allowed three absences. Your grade
will drop incrementally for each absence thereafter (A to A-, A- to B+, etc.). If you are more than
10 minutes late, or leave class 10 minutes early you will be counted absent. If you are injured or
ill (but not contagious), you may watch class and be counted as attending. Class make-ups are
possible through special arrangement, at the discretion of the instructor.
Grading Criteria:
Your attendance, initiative, enthusiasm and willingness to explore unfamiliar ground will go a
long way in the determination of your final grade.
Therefore, your grade will be based on:
- Your attendance (commitment)
- The quality of your participation in class (effort)
- The level at which you perform the material presented (competence)
- Your attitude (point-of-view, positive/negative)
- Your growth throughout the course
- Mid-session paper
- Performance final
The class final will be a Performance Test, which will include the basic tap
vocabulary and/or a short dance.
The letter grade of “A” will be issued to students whose performance in the above areas is
deemed by the instructor to be Excellent. The letter grade of “B” will be issued to students whose
performance in the above areas is deemed by the instructor to be Good. The letter grade of “C”
will be issued to students whose performance in the above areas is deemed by the instructor to be
Satisfactory. The letter grade of “D” will be issued to students whose performance in the above
areas is deemed by the instructor to be Less Than Satisfactory. The letter grade of “F” will be
issued to students whose performance in the above areas is deemed by the instructor to be
Unacceptable. Plus and minus grades may be included in the assigning of student grades. You
will be evaluated on individual growth and execution of assignments
The instructor may change the syllabus for this course at any time during the semester.
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.
Due to safety considerations, at no point during a student’s time spent in class or serving on a
production (in any capacity) should non-enrolled persons be guests of that student without my
consent. Presence of such unauthorized persons in a class, shop, or any backstage/off-stage area will
negatively affect a student’s grade.