Syllabus
Course Title:
Term:
Schedule:
Modern Dance I (Beginning Modern Dance)
Fall Semester 2013
TR 9:50-11:00 AM, Room 6400
Instructor Information
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Delma Iles, MFA
Department of Music, Theater and Dance
Office: 3604-38
Office Hours: MW 1:30-4:30 PM, TR 2:10-4:10 PM
*Please note that if I am not in my office during these hours I am probably in
6400 completing a class or rehearsal.
Office phone: 305-237-3040/alternate phone: 305-858-7002
Email: diles@mdc.edu/ alternate email: mdanceco@bellsouth.net
RATIONALE
Modern Dance I introduces Modern Dance Technique to the student with no previous
modern dance experience. This course provides basic training in modern dance
techniques, which are grounded in the movement theories of modern dance pioneers
Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey, Jose Limon and Lester Horton. These techniques
focus on alignment, strength, flexibility, and coordination. This course does not require
previous modern dance training. The curriculum will expand the dancer’s style,
interpretation, musicality, technical skill and precision in performance.
Modern Dance I presents the fundamental level skills and techniques of modern dance.
This course trains a dancer to work in proper alignment by focusing on the center of the
body and incorporating the mechanics of contraction and release as well as fall and
recovery.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF MODERN DANCE I
 The student will attend class regularly and focus on exercises to become
physically strong and flexible through performing modern dance exercises in
class.
 The student will concentrate on correctly performing plies, releves, tendus,
degages, extensions, contract and release and fall and recovery, suspension,
succession, axial and locomotor movements.
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The student will perform locomotor combinations, working to achieve a sense of
control, rhythm and correct timing of movements.
The student will demonstrate basic axial movements such as contracting and
releasing, swinging, and falls and recovery.
The student will focus on achieving a kinesthetic awareness of the body moving
through space with efficiency and correct placement.
The student will focus on training his/her body to develop strength, flexibility,
agility, coordination and musicality.
The student will learn to release muscular tension to train the body to move freely
and easily.
The student will acquire an understanding of modern dance by using appropriate
dance vocabulary and applying learned concepts.
The student will apply knowledge of modern dance by explaining concepts to the
instructor in physical demonstration as well as oral/and or written formats.
The student will apply learned concepts to critique dance performances.
The student will translate verbal directions into movement patterns.
CLASS FORMAT
1. Warm-up and initial technique exercises in the center floor standing and sitting
2. Warm-up techniques including stretching, strengthening and coordination
exercises
3. Locomotor movements and combinations including basic dance walks, prances,
small jumps, large jumps, basic turns and falls and related skills
4. Modern dance combinations utilizing the above listed skills
Timeliness
The beginning of class is essential for adequate preparation of the body/mind for dance,
building a daily sequence of positive and effective conditioning. Your work in each class
is an evolution in and of itself. Training yourself in this process allows you to rise to your
maximum capabilities.
ON TIME means physically and cognitively being in class properly attired and fully
prepared to participate at the time the class is scheduled to begin.
 Students arriving more than 15 minutes late will not be admitted to class and the
class will be counted as an absence.
 Three tardy arrivals equal one absence. Tardy is defined as entering the
classroom after the MDC scheduled start time up to fifteen minutes thereafter.
 Every two unexcused absences will automatically lower your final grade by one
letter grade!
Textbooks/Resources/Supplies
No textbook required. The instructor will provide classroom handouts to supplement in
class instruction.
All students must wear proper dance attire for all classes including:
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Hair securely fastened away from the face and neck
Bare feet. Socks are permitted only if it is cold in the dance studio.
Leotards and tights or dance pants in solid colors only – not prints. Dance skirts and
sweaters are allowed.
Men must wear a dance belt (athletic support for dance) to avoid injury.
Not allowed: pantyhose, plastic pants, large, bulky items of clothing, large jewelry,
hats, or any item of attire that interferes with the class. No bare midriffs. No street
clothing in dance class.
*Please note that students may be dismissed from class for wearing improper attire or
hairstyle!
Course Evaluation/Grading Policy/Assessment Methods/Schedule
Class participation and effort (50%)
1. Class participation, progression, and working in a group
2. Attitude in class, discipline, respecting the instructor, classmates and yourself.
3. Attendance and promptness. SHOW UP ON TIME!
4. Participation in answering questions and showing steps and combinations in class
5. Although attendance is paramount, effort is also essential. Effort constitutes half of
your classroom participation grade.
Progress (30%)
1. The student’s progression of physical conditioning and execution of proper technique,
balance, and coordination
2. Improvement or evidence of learning
3. Quality of performance within technical parameters
Vocabulary (10%)
1. Knowledge and understanding of the modern dance vocabulary throughout class
using oral and written exams
Written Critique (10%)
1,000-word critique of a live professional dance performance the student attended.
Please note that you cannot make an “A” in this course if you do not turn in this
paper.
Course Policies
MOST IMPORTANT: ATTENDANCE
Every two absences result in a drop of one letter grade!!!
Every three tardies equal one absence.
*Students who arrive more that 15 minutes late will not be admitted to class and the class
will count as an absence.
Students are only excused from class with a doctor’s note explaining a physical ailment
that prohibits the student from dancing. A student is required to attend class even with a
doctor’s note if the student is mobile.
*Students who are not able to dance due to illness or injury will receive full credit
for attendance provided that the student arrives on time, observes the class to the
end, and writes an evaluation of one of the students participating in the class, which
will be turned in at the conclusion of the class.
Excused absences:
Religious holidays
Miami-Dade official activities
MDC Wolfson Dancers performances
Excused absences for unique circumstances are entirely at the discretion of the
instructor.
MAKE UP POLICY
Students who have missed a class may make up the class by attending another
Miami-Dade dance class approved by the instructor. Students may make up up to 4
classes in this manner. All absences beyond 4 classes are not eligible for make up
and will directly result in a deduction from the final grade as described above.
*No make up classes are allowed during the final week of the semester.
EVERY THIRD TARDY RESULTS IN AN UNEXCUSED ABSENCE!
Classes begin on time! Be prompt!
The first part of the class is integral for adequate preparation of the body for dance.
Written paper:
 Must be 1,000 words typed & single-spaced
 Is due at the time of the class on December 12 (can be turned in early)
 Can be submitted via email, but email submissions must be RECEIVED no later
than the end of the class period on December 12
 Will not be accepted late. Late is defined as any time after the conclusion of
Modern I class on December 12. All late papers will receive a grade of “F”.
 All written work must be original. Any plagiarized work will receive a grade of
“0” and the student may be subject to additional disciplinary measures. Please see
the Miami Dade College Student Handbook for additional collegewide policies
regarding plagiarism.
PLEASE NOTE THAT PLAGARISM AND CHEATING ARE ACADEMIC
FELONIES. Plagiarizing will automatically result in a failing grade for the class
and possibly expulsion from Miami Dade College. Please refer to the Miami Dade
College Manual of Policy for complete descriptions of all college wide policies and
procedures.
To avoid plagiarism: If you directly copy the words of an author, then you must place
them in quotes and cite the source. If you paraphrase someone else’s ideas, you must cite
the source. If an idea is not yours, cite the author and the work from which you received
the idea. Common knowledge and factual information is not generally cited. Material
copied from a concert program book is plagiarism.
Final Exam
No make up exams will be given unless arranged for IN ADVANCE for very good
reason!
Final Exam Schedule:
December 10 – Exam Review
December 12 – Written & Practical Exam
Makeup exams will not be given except under the most extreme circumstances!
Extra credit: No extra credit is available in this course. Dance requires direct classroom
participation. No outside work can substitute for class work.
Students with Special Needs: Please see the instructor at the beginning of the semester
to discuss special needs as applicable.
Classroom behavior:
 Please raise your hand if you have a question. Talking about subjects other than
the classroom material is not acceptable.
 If students are injured or unable to fully participate in the class, this should be
discussed with the instructor prior to the beginning of the class, not after the class
has started.
 Students needing to take a bathroom break should inform the instructor, not just
walk out of the room. Bathroom breaks should be brief.
 Absolutely NO GUM, FOOD OR DRINKS DURING CLASS (water only!)
 All students should treat each other with respect.
 All cell phones must be turned off during the class. If your cell phone rings
during class, you will be counted as absent for that class!
Please note that disruption of a class is a misdemeanor under Florida state law!
Instructor Feedback:
Every dance class incorporates direct feedback from the instructor in the form of
“corrections”. This is a traditional part of dance technique classes. Corrections are given
both to the whole class as general information for improvement, and to individuals for
personal improvement. Because each dance student is unique, personal corrections are
specific to the individual student. Receiving corrections does not mean that a student is
doing poorly. Even the most advanced professional dancers continue to receive
corrections throughout their careers. Rather, corrections are information provided for
personal improvement in technique and performance. All students should take corrections
very seriously because they are the key to personal improvement. Student response (by
listening to and applying the information provided) to corrections is calculated as part of
the grade dedicated to classroom participation, effort, and progress.
Safety Rules for Modern Dance class
 Arrive on time! Your warmup is essential to avoid injuries!
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Leave adequate space between dancers on the floor. The instructor will show
students how to work safely when the class is crowded.
In the center, remain in the line assigned to you that day by the instructor and
space the line evenly between the students.
Stay with the group you are assigned to each day. Do not change groups unless
requested to do so by the instructor.
NEVER WALK OR RUN BACK THROUGH A GROUP OF ONCOMING
DANCERS! ALWAYS EXIT THE DANCE FLOOR IN A FORWARD (towards
the mirror), THEN SIDE DIRECTION!
Students who place others in danger through thoughtless running around or
getting in the way of other dancers will be asked to leave the class!
Be prepared to dance when it is your turn, hesitations throw off the space between
dancers and put others in danger.
Deep stretching should be attempted only after the body is warmed up or you risk
injury.
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 Student Withdrawal from Class:
If you feel that you will be unable to complete the requirements for passing this
class, you have the option to withdraw from the class by the College’s “drop date” of
November 6. However, there are consequences of which you need to be aware if you
drop a class or stop attending and you should always speak to your instructor or an
advisor first. For example, you must earn at least two-thirds or 67% of the total
credits for which you have registered and that failure to comply with this
requirement will adversely impact your financial aid status with MDC. If after
considering the possible consequences, you still opt drop the class, keep in mind that
it is your responsibility to do so (not the instructor’s) and failure to withdrawal will
result in you earning a grade of “F” for the course you stop attending.
If extenuating circumstances (e.g., illness, accident, change in employment situation,
etc.) prevent you from continuing to attend your class before the drop date, speak to
your instructor first and if needed, to the Chairperson to assess your options.
Available Support Services and information
Students are encouraged to read:
The Dancer Prepares by James Penrod & Janice Gudde Plastino, Mayfield Publishing
A Sense of Dance – Exploring Your Movement Potential by Constance A Shrader, Human
Kinetics
The Language of Dance by Mary Wigman, Wesleyan University Press
Additionally, students are encouraged to read and view material relevant to this course
such as: dance concerts, videos, and other books. Youtuble now features many excellent
videos of classic modern dance works by Martha Graham, Jose Limon, Doris Humphrey,
Lester Horton, Alvin Ailey, and other important modern dance choreographers and
companies.
The Miami-Dade County Public Library in downtown Miami has an excellent collection
of dance books and videos available.
The MDC Wolfson library has a small, but high quality selection of dance videos, DVD’s
and books.
Students are strongly encouraged to attend dance performances presented by Miami Dade
College’s MDC Live Series. These are available free or for $5 with your student ID.
Announcements will be made in class when these performances are coming up.
Students are also strongly encouraged to attend dance performances at New World
School of the Arts. These are available free or for $5 with your student ID.
Suggestions for success:
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Listen carefully to all instructions and try to apply them directly to your body.
Applying both group and personal corrections is the key to improvement.
Don’t compare yourself to the other students in the class. Each person is different
with a unique combination of strengths and weaknesses. Some students have had
prior dance training before enrolling in this class and are starting with more
experience and knowledge. YOU ARE UNIQUE! Each person progresses
differently depending on their personal combination of strength, flexibility,
coordination, previous experience, mind/body connection, knowledge of music,
and many other factors.
Don’t be afraid to request an explanation if there is something you do not
understand.
Do learn the terminology of modern dance. It will be used in all modern classes
you take from now on, in every dance school in the world. It will also be
invaluable in learning modern combinations as well as many combinations in
jazz, African, and other dance forms.
Important Dates:
Week of December 2-6: modern I will not meet in room 6400 due to a Theater
Department production. An alternative classroom will be assigned later in the
semester.
August 30 – last day to drop and receive a full refund. Also last day to change courses or
add a new course.
September 2 – Labor Day Holiday
November 6 – last day to withdraw from a class
November 11 – Veterans Day Holiday
November 28-December 1 - Thanksgiving Holiday
December 13 – last day of regular classes
December 14-20 – Final Exam Week