Instructor: Fırat Kazbek Özsoy
Office: WT 207
DANCE 1221, Fall 2008
BALLET 3 part 1
When I miss class for one day, I know it. When I miss class for two days, my teacher
knows it. When I miss class for three days, the audience knows it. Rudolf Nureyev
Office phone: (713) 743-9842
Email: kazbek@earthlink.net
Class time: 10:00am–11:45am MO/WE
Cell: (713) 240-4215
Course Description:
This class is about the artistry and movement of classical ballet. During this semester,
the student is expected to learn intermediate to advance technique and discipline of the
classical ballet. Building the body and mind for better control to express feelings through
dance with musicality.
Course Objectives/Learning Outcomes:
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Brushing-up the vocabulary of ballet.
Learning to appreciate the art of classical ballet.
Gaining better control of the body.
Developing better coordination of mind and body.
Building strength for better stamina.
Gaining and structuring long flexible muscles.
Exploring different styles and developing presentation, artistry and musicality.
Evaluation on Expected Improvements of Technique:
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Learning the combinations efficiently and fast = 20%
Coordination of the body and separation of upper and lower body = 20%
Learning to plan and anticipate for the next movement = 10%
Moving to the music = 25%
Achieving correct lines and positions = 25%
Required Reading:
Ballet Basics by: Sandra Hammond
This will be our guide for proper terminology.
Evaluation/Grating:
1. Class attendance: Carefully read the attendance policy on the bulletin and
included with syllabus. Dance classes strictly adhere to this policy.
2. In-class/participation = 20% of grade
3. Written assignment for Houston Ballet performance
Onegin by John Cranko. = 15% of grade Optional dates to see it at
Wortham Center Brown Theater in downtown
September 4, 6 at 7:30pm and September 7 at 2:00pm.
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In Your Assignment:
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Describe the story or idea of the ballet in your perspective.
Explain the choreographer’s style of projecting their ideas.
Describe the main characters in the ballet.
Grade artistry and/or characterization for one dancer in the ballet.
Grade the musicality of the choreography.
Describe the most noticeable classical ballet movement in the ballet.
Assignment Due: SEPTEMBER 10
4. Written Midterm = 15% of grade
This written exam will be covering basic terminology, classroom work and
concept of ballet movements.
Date: OCTOBER 8
5. Midterm and Final Evaluations Each = 25% of grade
We will be learning 3 or 4 center combinations for each examination. We’ll start
learning 1 to 2 weeks prior to examination. The combinations will be evaluated by
performance quality, musicality, technicality and clarity of transitions between
movements. Your overall work in whole semester will also affect your grades
greatly for both evaluations.
Midterm and Final Evaluation Grating Breakdown:
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Artistry and Presentation
Musicality
Clarity of Technique
Execution of the Combinations
30%
25%
25%
20%
Date for Midterm Evaluation: OCTOBER 15
Date for Final Evaluation: DECEMBER 1
6. Make-up Credit: Written assignment for Houston Ballet performance
Classically Modern. (Solo by Hans Van Manen, Midæval Bæbes world
premier by Stanton Welch, Afternoon of a Faun by Jerome Robbins and
Symphony in C by George Balanchine) = extra 5% of grade
Optional dates to see it at Wortham Center Brown Theater in downtown
September 18, 20 at 7:30pm and September 21 at 2:00pm
In Your Assignment:
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Describe the story or idea for each ballet in your perspective.
Explain the choreographer’s style of projecting their ideas.
Which ballet was more influenced in classical ballet technique?
Grade the technical difficulty of each ballet.
Grade artistry and/or characterization for one dancer in each ballet.
Grade the musicality of the choreographies.
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Describe the most noticeable classical ballet movement in the ballets.
Assignment Due: SEPTEMBER 24
NOTE: There will be no other make-ups for absences allowed. If you know you might
need a make-up, please make sure you plan to complete this extra assignment above on
time.
***There is a Student discount on the Houston Ballet performance tickets, but only
for the last Sunday matinees.
----REQIREMENT: ALL STUDENTS REGISTERED IN DANCE CLASSES ARE
REQUIRED TO ATTEND THE FALL DANCE CONCERT IN NOVEMBER 2223. ALSO ON AUGUST 29 4:30pm AT MELCHER THERE IS ORIENTATION.
IF YOU FAIL TO ATTEND TO ANY OF THE REQIREMENTS, THERE WILL
BE A “3” POINT (3% OF GRADE) DEDUCTION FOR EACH FROM YOUR
OVERALL GRADE. ---IMPORTANT NOTE that students in a degree-granting plan for Dance at the
University of Houston must meet the GPA protocol for the School of Theatre.
Students who receive below a 2.5 grade in a major/minor/certification class will be
placed on PROBATION. The student must retake the class and complete it with a
minimum 2.5 grade
ATTENDANCE:
The School of Theatre Attendance Policy will apply to this course. Copies are posted on
the dance bulletin board, and are also available as handouts at the beginning of the
semester. THERE IS NO DISTINCTION BETWEEN AN EXCUSED OR AN
UNEXCUSED ABSENCE. Doctor’s excuses do not make an absence “excused.”
Participation is crucial to learn dance. If the student has an injury or contagious illness,
please discuss it with the professor. Please notify the instructor before class begins if you
most leave before class has ended.
DRESS REQUIRMENTS:
Dance clothes and BALLET SHOES are required. Your clothes must be close fitting in
order to view your technical progress. Baggy clothes are not permitted. No heavy
jewelry allowed. Secure hair away from face. Your grade will be penalized for
inappropriate attire.
NO GUM CHEWING
The departmental ruling on gum chewing in class is based on the possibility of inhaling
the gum and blocking the airway while dancing. Therefore, student’s grade will be
penalized for chewing gum during class.
WATER BOTTLES:
Please remember to bring water to class. Hydrating the body during a workout is
necessary for optimum performance.
CLEAN UP:
Please do not leave your trash on the floor of the dance studio. Respect our dance space.
TURN OFF ALL PAGERS AND CELL PHONES DURING CLASS.
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OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION: For information on Academic Honesty,
Academic Calendar, Religious Holidays, and Disabilities please go to: www.uh.edu
Absence and Late Policy for The School of Theatre & Dance, University of Houston (updated Dec. 2007)
1. Each student is allowed absences without penalty based on the number of contact credit hours
for the specific course. The allowed absences are made available to students for unavoidable
circumstances that cause an absence to occur. NOTE: ALL (both allowed and excessive)
ABSENCES ARE REVIEWED IN APPEAL PROCESS, SEE #4.
If a class meets three hours a week, the student may be absent for three hours during the semester
without penalty. Absences in excess of this number will result in a final grade drop in accordance
with the following scale:
 The class meets three times a week for an hour:
Four absences
=
1/2 letter drop
Five absences
=
one full letter drop
Six absences
=
two full letters drop
Seven absences
=
Automatic "F" grade
 The class meets two times a week for an hour and a half:
Three absences
=
one full letter drop
Four absences
=
two full letters drop
Five absences
=
Automatic "F" grade
 The class meets one time a week for 3 hours: At the discretion of the instructor.
 For Production classes (Theatre 111, Theatre 112, Dance 3208, Dance 3109):
Absent one required rehearsal
=
one full letter drop
Absent two required rehearsals
=
Automatic "F"
Absent one performance
=
Automatic "F"
2. Students with legitimate problems resulting in excessive absences should drop affected
courses in accordance with cut-off dates for such action as announced by each College. Students
who fail to drop will NOT automatically be dropped by instructor. IT IS THE
RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENT TO DROP THE CLASS.
3. Tardiness (entering class after the roll has been taken.) Being tardy twice is equivalent of one
absence. (DANCE NOTE: In dance technique classes, if a student arrives more than 5 minutes
after the warm up has begun, he/she will not be allowed to take the class but must "sit out." If a
student cannot dance due to an injury or non-contagious illness the student should "sit out."
During a "sit out", the student must participate through assignments given by instructor. Students
are allowed two "sit outs." Sit-outs are equivalent to tardies in this policy.) Leaving class early
has the same penalties as a tardy.
4. Students may appeal excessive absences to the Executive Committee of the School of Theatre
& Dance. ALL ABSENCES (allowed and excessive) MUST BE JUSTIFIED IN AN
APPEAL. Appeals must be accompanied by a clear written statement regarding the rational for
the appeal, as well as documented (medical or otherwise). Only appeals that aptly indicate
unavoidable and catastrophic circumstances will receive favorable consideration. Students are
urged not to risk losing the advantage of allowable absences by using for unnecessary reasons.
5. Work, professional jobs, athletics, and/or other external, university, or department obligations
that conflict with a theater/dance course will not be excused or considered for appeal.
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ALL APPEAL FORMS/DOCUMENTATTION MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE
SCHOOL SECRETARY IN THE WORTHAM THEATRE BUILDING NO LATER
THAN THE LAST DAY OF CLASS.
SCHOOL OF THEATRE & DANCE
Course Grade/s and GPA Protocols
PROTOCOL FOR STUDENTS WHO MAKE LESS THAN A “C” GRADE IN A MAJOR
COURSE
1. To satisfy prerequisite and degree requirements, students must earn a minimum C
(2.00) grade in each course attempted in theatre and dance (both required and
elective) at the University of Houston School of Theatre & Dance.
2. Students who receive a grade of C- or below in a School of Theatre & Dance
major course must retake the course and complete it with a minimum of a C
grade. When the course for which the student made the low grade comes around
in rotation it must be repeated and the student will be required to complete the
course with a minimum grade of C.
3. Students may choose to appeal a grade of C- or below by submitting a written
request to the School of Theatre & Dance Academic Advisor. The appeal process
will be as follows:
• The advisory committee for each case will include at least:
Professor or Instructor for the course in question
Professor who oversees the major focus area of the student
Academic Advisor
• An appeals meeting will be scheduled with the student and the advisory
committee.
• At the meeting, every effort will be taken to ensure that the student is able to
explain to the committee the situation(s) that led to a less than satisfactory grade.
• Possible outcomes of this meeting include:
- The committee may agree that the grade will not change and the student
will be
responsible for repeating the course.
- The committee may agree that another course may be substituted in the
student’s degree plan if the original course is not offered again
within a year.
- The committee may agree that the student’s completion of missing work
or re5
submission of inadequate work may be grounds for adjusting the
grade to a C.
- The committee may agree that another resolution is warranted.
• The committee will determine the best course of action regarding each case and
notify
the student in writing.
• The appeals meeting must take place within two weeks of the closing of the
semester. This meeting will be separate from the faculty’s absence appeals
meeting. If the student is unable to attend the meeting due to illness or due to an
unforeseen emergency situation, the meeting should be rescheduled to take place
no later than the first week of the following semester.
4. Students must adhere to the School of Theatre & Dance Attendance Policy for all
theatre and dance courses. Chronic absences should result in the student
dropping/withdrawing from the class before earning a less than satisfactory grade.
Chronic absenteeism and/or tardiness (regardless of reason) can result in a grade
of C- or below. Students whose grades are in jeopardy due to absences must first
go through the absence appeal process before appealing a low grade. [The
Absence Appeal document can be found on the School of Theatre & Dance
website (www.uh.edu/theatre) via the Forms & Policies link.]
PROTOCOL FOR MINIMUM GPA OF B- (2.67) AS A THEATRE & DANCE MAJOR
1.
All School of Theatre & Dance majors must maintain a minimum cumulative
B- (2.67) grade point average of all courses in theatre and dance (both elective
and required) attempted at the University of Houston as a condition for
graduation as a Theatre & Dance major.
2.
If a student drops below a B- GPA for all major courses completed within a
semester, the student will be placed on Probation as a Theatre & Dance major.
3.
While the student is on Probation as a Theatre & Dance major, all
involvement in School of Theatre & Dance productions will cease, whether
Main Stage productions, Student productions or Albee Workshop productions.
If the student has already been cast in any show for the upcoming semester,
he/she will be replaced. If the student has been assigned a design or stage
management project for a show, he/she will be replaced. No auditioning or
production assignments for upcoming productions will be allowed until the
probationary status has been lifted. Officers in APO will take a leave of
absence from their current or upcoming office until the probationary status has
been lifted. Dance students may not perform in Spring or Fall public concerts
while on Probation.
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4.
Students may choose to appeal a probationary status by submitting a written
request to the School of Theatre & Dance Academic Advisor. The appeal
process will be as follows:
• The advisory committee for each case will include at least:
Professors or Instructors for all of the courses in question
Professor who oversees the major focus area of the student
Academic Advisor
• An appeals meeting will be scheduled with the Student and the advisory
committee.
• At the meeting every effort will be made to ensure that the student is able to
explain to the committee the situation(s) that led to a less than satisfactory grade
point average.
• The committee will determine the best course of action regarding each case
and notify the student in writing.
• The appeals meeting must take place within two weeks of the closing of the
semester. This meeting will be separate from the faculty’s absence appeals
meeting. If the student is unable to attend the meeting due to illness or due
to an unforeseen emergency situation, the meeting should be rescheduled to
take place no later than the first week of the following semester.
5.
Any student placed on Probation for two semesters in a row will be dropped
as a Theatre & Dance major and will not be allowed to take any upper
division theatre or dance classes.
• A student who is dropped as a major in the School of Theatre & Dance
cannot apply for reinstatement for at least one semester.
• Reinstatement of a student into the School of Theatre & Dance will require a
meeting with at least the following personnel in attendance:
Student
Director of the School of Theatre & Dance
Professor who oversees the major focus area of the student
Academic Advisor
• To apply for reinstatement, the student will be required to show evidence of
theatre or dance course work at another institution resulting in individual
grades of C (2.00) or greater and a cumulative GPA of at least B- (2.67) in
theatre or dance courses attempted during the intervening semesters. If, after
a successful appeal for reinstatement, the student subsequently fails to
maintain a B- (2.67) GPA for all major courses completed in a semester, the
student will not be allowed to continue in the program.
6.
Students placed on probation for two semesters that are not consecutive must
be prepared to meet with an advisory committee consisting of at least the
following personnel:
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Director of the School of Theatre & Dance
Professor who oversees the major focus area of the student
Academic Advisor
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