Patricia Sandback sandback@mail.sdsu.edu
Office Hrs: TTh 12 - 1
ENS 128 594 4825 Spring 2015
and by appointment
Contact Information: For timely results use blackboard or email. Phone messages are
checked infrequently but will be answered during my office hours.
DANCE 183: RHYTHMIC ANALYSIS
Course Objectives
To demonstrate an understanding and practical skill of kinesthetic,
auditory and visual rhythms.
To demonstrate a knowledge of and a practical application of musical
symbols and notation.
To demonstrate a knowledge of selected music vocabulary.
To demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between
choreography and accompaniment.
To expand your knowledge of the various styles of music with
emphasis on the range of music used by experienced choreographers for concert
dance.
Course Requirements
Attendance and participation in class is very important. Much of the
knowledge and skills presented in class require active participation. Three absences are
allowed. No make-ups are possible. Your grade will be lowered one step for each extra
absence. Tardies will affect your grade.
This is a class that requires you to be diligent about keeping up your assignments.
Skills and knowledge are built on preceding information and we move along
methodically. Don’t get behind. I am here to help you with any class problems so note
my office hours or make an appointment with me for extra help.
Tests. The final exam will be on May 7. You will be tested on reading
assignments, handouts, and class discussion. There may be additional quizzes during the
semester.
Major Projects: There are two major projects/papers for the class. They are:
Writing and Playing a Percussion score.
A Final Project: “Creating and Performing a Rhythmic Score”
Music for Dance: Another challenging aspect of this class is the need for you to
become more familiar with a variety of styles of music. Historically, dance has been
partnered with music. This is true today also. While some dance is presented without
accompanying sound (although no dance is soundless) this is the exception rather than the
rule. Most of you are very familiar with contemporary popular music. However, some of
you might not have been as exposed to music for dance other than that of popular culture.
For this class we will be examining, in particular, the music most often used by the
leading modern dance creators. This means that you will need to seek opportunities for
educating yourself on the expanse of music available to you through recordings, live
performances, and attending professional dance concerts. I will direct you to sources to
help you with this. I am also available for individual assistance in this matter.
Class Attire: Dress as you would for a technique class. No street clothes
including jeans, pants, blouses, etc. Also no bare midriffs, no gum, and keep your hair
tied back and off your face. We will work in bare feet, no socks. Bring something to put
on to keep warm for discussions.
Concert Attendance: This spring there are many exciting concerts to see. There
is a list under Course Documents on BlackBoard. All SDSU concerts are free to dance
majors. For the UCSD concerts you will be able to purchase students tickets with your
SDSU student ID. You are required to attend all SDSU concerts, ODC, and either
Black Grace or Nederlands Dance Theater.
Let me know if you have any conflicts NOW so we can find substitute
performances for you to attend. If arrangements are not made at the beginning of the
semester for non-attendance at required concerts, they will not be excused. See me
individually about your conflicts. You can only be excused from attendance at a concert
because of your class schedule. All required performances will be followed by a written,
movement, or discussion assignment.
I will keep you informed of any new concerts to add to the list.
For one of the concerts you will write a paper using the Concert Review Guide found on
BlackBoard under Course Documents.
Due Dates: Assignments will not be accepted late and are to be turned in as hard
copies on the due date. If you are absent the day your assignment is due you can get credit
for the paper by e-mailing me a copy on the due date and turning in the hard copy as soon
as you return to school.
Required Texts: There are two required texts for class. Writing for Dance,
Wendy R. Oliver, Human Kinetics, and Course Reader: Dance 183, Rhythmic Analysis.
The course reader is available at the bookstore. It contains information on music history
and theory, the relationship between music and dance, a listing of music used for dance,
sources of music for dance, and practice scores. It can serve as a reference for you in the
following semesters as you consider accompaniment for your own choreographic work.
We will use the Course Reader in class frequently. The book, Writing for Dance, is an
excellent book that can help you with many writing assignments for dance for a variety of
situations and classes. You will be using the course reader in class frequently. It can be
found on line.
Evaluation: You will be graded on your active participation in class: be
attentive, incorporate corrections, prepare for and contribute to discussions, and be
respectful of the class. Additionally there are class movement studies, two projects,
attendance at ten concerts with follow-up assignments, a Concert Review Paper, and a
final exam. As stated above, attendance and tardies will affect your grade.
Concert Review Paper
Concert Attendance
Class participation/assignments/quizzes
Writing and playing a score
Final Project
Final Exam
15
15
20
15
15
20
100