GESM111g
Health and Fitness Through Dance
Fall 2022
Tuesday and Thursday 2:00-3:40
4 units
Location: KSD 241
Instructor: Dr. Margo K. Apostolos
Office: KSD 226
Office Hours: by appointment
Contact Info: margo@usc.edu
Catalogue Description
Concepts of science translated in dance movements and analysis. The science
of the human body to include fundamental anatomy and physiology related to
dance. Applications of kinesiology, biomechanics, and physics are explored
through dance movements. The class is formatted as a lecture-laboratory with
student participation in dance movement analysis as application of the learning
experience.
Course Overview
In this interdisciplinary overview of art and science, students will study the
science of dance movements and applications of the science into the artistry of
dance. Through substantive analysis of course readings and practical movement
analysis, students will advance critical reading, writing and analytic skills.
Students will examine human movement through both dance and sport within a
range of contexts, including anatomy, exercise physiology, kinesiology,
biomechanics, , technology, dance medicine and other fields. In their final
project, students will design their own movement training based on scientific
Learning Objectives
In this course, students will:
-Develop an understanding of scientific aspects of dance and fitness
-Explore applications of science to specific movement techniques
-Examine anatomy, kinesiology, and biomechanics
-Learn to analyze dance movement based on scientific principles
-Examine proper technique for injury prevention
1
-Encourage the application of safe based on the science of
movement
-Examine relevant theoretical trends in the field of Dance Science
-Learn to read and interpret actively and analytically, to think critically
and creatively
-Develop proficient research, writing, and speaking skills, learning how
to incorporate observations and personal experience into a persuasive
term paper and oral presentation
-Explore the creative aspects of dance and how they relate to major
artistic trends
-Understand dance and movement in relationship to other scholastic and artistic
disciplines and contributions
-Embody certain technological trends within the academic and/or studio
classroom
-Research works in Dance Medicine and Athletic Medicine
-Make connections between their own personal movement based on the
analysis of human movements
Technological Proficiency and Hardware/Software Required
Students will be required to view media outside of class for discussion and other
assignments.
Required Textbook
Dance For Sports : A Practical Guide by Margo K. Apostolos
Additional scholarly research articles will be recommended from the online edatabases accessible from the USC Libraries’ Website.:
International Association of Dance Medicine and Science (IADMS Research
Journal) Performing Arts Medical Association (PAMA Research Journal)
Description and Assessment of Assignments
Readings and Viewings:
Students will have approximately 100 pages of reading assignments, directed
research, and/or equivalent video viewing each week. Students should complete
the assigned reading or viewing before the class for which it is listed.
The textbook for this course, Dance for Sports: A Practical Guide contains
many primary sources written by those present at the integration of dance and
science. The field of Dance Medicine provides evidence based research for
movement analysis. However, as dance is a predominately non-verbal form of
human expression, watching, experiencing and embodying different dance forms
through in-class activities and videos will also constitute primary and textual
exposure to the material. Accordingly, visual media shown in class represent vital
primary texts for the course and, like lectures and reading materials may be the
basis of questions on quizzes and exams. Students are encouraged to engage
with additional media in conjunction with their readings.
Description and Assessment of Assignments
2
Readings and Activities:
Weekly assignments will focus on the assigned readings. Student presentations
will be presented in class relating to the assigned topics.
A midterm examination will be administered in Week 8 on
Tuesday October 11
The final examination will be administered Final Exam week, during the university
assigned time: Thursday December 8 from 2:00-4:00pm
Two written papers will be presented: Week 5 and Week 10. Each paper will
be 4- 5 pages, typed, hard copy and address the assigned topics as follows:
Paper 1 – The Anatomy of a Plie(Bending)
Paper 2 - The Biomechanics of Jumps and Landings
A third project will present a personal workout for everyday and to be conducted
anywhere. A class presentation will be give and a write up of the workout
will be handed in on the last day of class December 1.
Paper 3 – Design of the Anywhere Workout for Everyday
Each student will keep a private Health and Fitness Journal. An analysis of the
journal will be turned in Week 4, Week, 8, and Week 12. These journals are
not graded but factored into the Participation work.
Class Discussion and In Class Activities:
In class activities, discussions, and online activities figure greatly in this course.
Please be attentive and focused ( NOT texting or surfing the internet); actively
engaged in discussions and group activities; asking thoughtful questions;
coming to class fully prepared; and exercising personal responsibility and
consideration of others at all times.
Mid-Term and Final Exam: Students are required to be in class for each of the
class exams, so note the dates. Exams will consist of short answer and essay
questions.
Mid-Term: Tuesday October 11 (in class)
Final: Thursday December 8 (in class) from 2:00-4:00pm
3
Movement Analysis (due Thursday of Week 5 Week 10, and Week 15)
Grading Breakdown
Discussions, Activities and Journal Analysis
10 points
10%
Movement Analysis Paper 1
15 points
15%
Movement Analysis Paper 2
15 points 15%
Anywhere Everyday Workout Paper 3
20 points 20%
Mid-Term
20points 20%
Final Exam
20 points
20%
Total
100 points 100%
A+ = 100 points
A = 96-99 points
A- = 91-95 points
B+ = 88-90 points
B = 85-87 points
B- = 81-84 points
C+ = 78-80 points
C = 75-77 points
C- = 71-74 points
D+ = 67-70 points
D- = 61-63 points
F = 60 or below
Assignment Submission Policy
Written assignments must be submitted online via Blackboard on the due date
Additional Policies:
See USC Kaufman Guidelines
Schedule may be subject to change)
Week
1
Dates
Week
2
Dates
Topics/Daily Activities Readings and
Homework
Exercise Physiology
Chapter 7
Physical Fitness
Dance For Sports
Deliverable/ Due
Dates
Discussion
Study of energy ,
power, and work
Bend, Stretch, Twist
Chapter 1
Dance For Sports
4
Week
3
Dates
Week
4
Dates
Week
5
Dates
Week
6
Dates
Week
7
Dates
Week
8
Dates
Cardio-Respiratory
control in work and
rest
Physical Training
Principles and
Training Effects
Functional Anatomy
Chapter 2
Dance For Sports
Cardio Training
Chapter 3
Dance For Sports
Weight Training
Journal Analysis 1 due
September 15
Chapter 4
Dance For Sports
Skeletal System and
Joint Actions
Anatomy Articles
Paper 1 – Anatomy of
a Plie due
September 22
Circuit training
Muscular System:
Origin, Insertion,
Action
Posture and
Ergonomics and
Actions
Review for Exam
Anatomy Review
Midterm Exam
October 11
Biomechanics Articles
Yoga Articles
Journal Analysis 2
Due October 13
Week
9
Dates
Week
10
Dates
Optimal Performance
Mindfulness
Guest Lecturer
Kinesiology and
Transfer of Training
Chapters 5
Dance For Sports
Week Proprioception and
Chapter 6
11
Movement
Dance For Sports
Dates Awareness
Week Nutrition for High
Nutrition
12
Performance
Dates
Week Anywhere Workouts Class Presentations
13
Dates
Week Anywhere Workouts Class Presentations
14
Dates
Week Review for the Final
Class Presentations
15
Exam
Dates
Paper 2
Movement Analysis of
Jumps and Landings
due October 28
Cognitive Training
Journal Analysis 3
Due November 10
Practice Based
activities
Practice Based
Activities
Paper 3
Anywhere Workouts
due December 1
*Schedule Subject to change
5
Statement on Academic Conduct and Support Systems
Statement for Students with Disabilities
Any student requesting academic accommodations based on a disability is required to register with
Disability Services and Programs (DSP) each semester. A letter of verification for approved
accommodations can be obtained from DSP. Please be sure the letter is delivered to me (or to TA)
as early in the semester as possible. DSP is located in STU 301 and is open 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.,
Monday
through
Friday.
Website
and
contact
information
for
DSP:
http://sait.usc.edu/academicsupport/centerprograms/dsp/home_index.html,
(213)
740-0776
(Phone), (213) 740-6948 (TDD only), (213) 740-8216 (FAX) ability@usc.edu.
Emergency Preparedness/Course Continuity in a Crisis
In case of a declared emergency if travel to campus is not feasible, USC executive leadership will
announce an electronic way for instructors to teach students in their residence halls or homes using
a combination of Blackboard, teleconferencing, and other technologies.
In the event of a university-wide emergency, guidance and directions will be shared by Campus
Emergency Operations in all available outlets, including the website and TrojanAlerts. Students
are encouraged to maintain close contact with all available communications avenues for
updates to university operations. USC Kaufman will abide by all university protocols and
recommendations. If the Kaufman Dance Center is not available when classes resume, students
can receive updates from the school's Departmental Operations Center (DOC) on Ramo Lawn
(between the Thornton School of Music and Norris Cinema, close to the Bing Theatre).”
Statement on Academic Conduct and Support Systems
Academic Conduct
Plagiarism – presenting someone else’s ideas as your own, either verbatim or recast in your own
words – is a serious academic offense with serious consequences. Please familiarize yourself with
the discussion of plagiarism in SCampus in Section 11, Behavior Violating University
Standardshttps://scampus.usc.edu/1100-behavior-violating-university-standards-andappropriate-sanctions/. Other forms of academic dishonesty are equally unacceptable. See
additional information in SCampus and university policies on scientific misconduct,
http://policy.usc.edu/scientific-misconduct/.
Discrimination, sexual assault, and harassment are not tolerated by the university. You are
encouraged to report any incidents to the Office of Equity and Diversity http://equity.usc.edu/ or
to the Department of Public Safety http://capsnet.usc.edu/department/department-publicsafety/online-forms/contact-us. This is important for the safety whole USC community. Another
member of the university community – such as a friend, classmate, advisor, or faculty member –
can help initiate the report, or can initiate the report on behalf of another person. The Center for
Women and Men http://www.usc.edu/student-affairs/cwm/ provides 24/7 confidential support,
and the sexual assault resource center webpage sarc@usc.edu describes reporting options and
other resources.
Support Systems
A number of USC’s schools provide support for students who need help with scholarly
writing. Check with your advisor or program staff to find out more. Students whose
6
primary language is not English should check with the American Language Institute
http://dornsife.usc.edu/ali, which sponsors courses and workshops specifically for international
graduate
students.
The
Office
of
Disability
Services
and
Programs
http://sait.usc.edu/academicsupport/centerprograms/dsp/home_index.htmlprovides
certification
for students with disabilities and helps arrange the relevant accommodations. If an
officially declared emergency makes travel to campus infeasible, USC Emergency Information
http://emergency.usc.edu/will provide safety and other updates, including ways in which instruction
will be continued by means of blackboard, teleconferencing, and other technology.
Support Systems:
Student Counseling Services (SCS) – (213) 740-7711 – 24/7 on call
Free and confidential mental health treatment for students, including short-term psychotherapy, group counseling,
stress fitness workshops, and crisis intervention. engemannshc.usc.edu/counseling
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1 (800) 273-8255
Provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7
days a week. www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention Services (RSVP) – (213) 740-4900 – 24/7 on call
Free and confidential therapy services, workshops, and training for situations related to gender-based harm.
engemannshc.usc.edu/rsvp
Sexual Assault Resource Center
For more information about how to get help or help a survivor, rights, reporting options, and additional resources,
visit the website: sarc.usc.edu
Office of Equity and Diversity (OED)/Title IX Compliance – (213) 740-5086
Works with faculty, staff, visitors, applicants, and students around issues of protected class. equity.usc.edu
Bias Assessment Response and Support
Incidents of bias, hate crimes and microaggressions need to be reported allowing for appropriate investigation and
response. studentaffairs.usc.edu/bias-assessment-response-support
The Office of Disability Services and Programs
Provides certification for students with disabilities and helps arrange relevant accommodations. dsp.usc.edu
Student Support and Advocacy – (213) 821-4710
Assists students and families in resolving complex issues adversely affecting their success as a student EX: personal,
financial, and academic. studentaffairs.usc.edu/ssa
Diversity at USC
Information on events, programs and training, the Diversity Task Force (including representatives for each school),
chronology, participation, and various resources for students. diversity.usc.edu
USC Emergency Information
Provides safety and other updates, including ways in which instruction will be continued if an officially declared
emergency makes travel to campus infeasible. emergency.usc.edu
USC Department of Public Safety – UPC: (213) 740-4321 – HSC: (323) 442-1000 – 24-hour emergency or to report a
crime.
Provides overall safety to USC community. dps.usc.edu
7
8