Long Beach City College
FALL 2011
Hip Hop, Dance 18 AD, Section 73829, Mondays 7-9:50pm
Instructor: Angela Jordan
Office Hrs: by Appointment
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate kinesthetic knowledge of Hip Hop dance.
2. Critique a dance performance in terms of choreography, performance, and theatrical elements.
3. Analyze the influence of Hip Hop culture in relation to dance.
Objectives
1. Demonstrate individual movement aesthetic/style through improvisation and freestyle.
2. Demonstrate proficiency in technique and movement material.
3. Identify and demonstrate different styles of Hip Hop dance.
4. Memorize and perform choreography and movement combinations.
5. Demonstrate improvement in coordination, stamina, and rhythmic ability.
6. Demonstrate connection to music through dynamics, rhythm, and musicality.
7. Analyze and execute movement in terms of time, space, shape, and energy.
8. Demonstrate performance skills and confidence in freestyle and choreography.
Requirements and Grading Breakdown
Participation/Effort/Improvement (work ethic, attitude, conduct, technique, performance)
Midterm (Movement Skills and Choreography)
October 10th
Dance Showcase
October 27th **extra credit**
Dance Critique Paper
Quiz
November 28th
Final (Movement Skills and Choreography)
December 5th
100pts
100pts
20pts
100pts
50pts
100pts
Grading Scale
450-400= A
399-340= B
339-280= C
279-220= D
219- below= F
This class may be taken for credit/no credit if you earn a minimum of 280 pts and take all exams. Fill out
the appropriate form at the admissions office before the deadline.
THERE IS NO MAKE-UP FOR THE MIDTERM, QUIZ OR FINAL!!
NO LATE, EMAILED, OR HANDWRITTEN PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED!!
THERE IS NO EXTRA CREDIT IN THIS COURSE. STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE THE GRADE
THAT THEY EARN!!
PLEASE NOTE: It is often necessary for the instructor to place his/her hands on a student in
order to better facilitate the learning process and to illustrate proper alignment. If a student
should have an aversion to this practice please notify instructor prior to the start of classes.
Class Etiquette:
Respect others
No cell phones, ipods, or any other electronic devices!!! (Silence them or leave them in your locker or car.)
No talking or gum chewing
No food or drink in dance studio BRING WATER TO CLASS!!!
No changing in classroom
No jewelry
No children or pets allowed in studio class
Wear dance attire as discussed in class
Proper hygiene is appropriate
Arrive on time. Stay the duration of the class. Leave at the end of class.
10 minutes late to class is considered tardy. YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE!!! You must
turn in a written report on class observation to receive partial credit.
Do not correct others.
Do not disrupt class. (talking, sitting down, stopping in the middle of combinations and leaving class)
Ask permission to leave class for any reason!!! Inform instructor prior to class if you have to leave early.
Attire
Loose, baggy comfortable sweats and clothing are appropriate. No jeans!!! No Sagging!!! Only
non-marking soles tennis shoes or jazz sneakers are permitted.
Participation/Attendance
Students are expected to attend and participate in every class meeting for the entire class.
Attendance/participation is 5pts per class session. Non-participants are expected to turn in class
observation notes for partial credit (2pts). Sick and injured students receive 3pts. You are allotted
2 absences. Absences beyond two will lower your overall grade per absence. Students will be
dropped after 4 absences. You are allowed to make-up two absences with permission of the
instructor. Make-up classes are limited to LBCC dance classes and must be accompanied by a
hand written note with signature from the instructor. Arrival to class 10 minutes late is a tardy
and deducted 2pts. Leaving class early is considered a tardy (2pt deduction). Three tardies are
considered an absence. Do not ask to leave early!!!
***Bring an 8.5x11 notebook and pen to class to record notes!!!***
No Class Monday, September 5th !!!
Injuries
In case of injury, please notify instructor immediately or call the Student Health Center at 562938-4210. Help minimize injuries through proper stretching before and after class. Drink plenty
of water and eat a healthy diet.
Midterm Skills
Assessment of technical skill, musicality, energy dynamics, performance, and use of space will be
evaluated in small groups through movement combinations and choreography learned in class.
Quiz
A written quiz will cover topics discussed throughout the semester on Hip Hop dance styles,
pioneers, and origins.
Final Skills
Individual solos, group choreographed combination and groups of a dance combinations learned
in class will be evaluated by same criteria as mid-term skills.
***This syllabus is subject to change!!! ***
DANCE CONCERT CRITIQUE GUIDELINES
Long Beach City College Auditorium - (562) 938-4128
November 18th &19th @ 8pm and November 20th @ 2pm
Tickets are $15 for General Admission
$10 for Students/Faculty/Staff/Seniors
(Harvey Way between Clark and Faculty Avenue)
DUE: Monday, April 18, 2011 AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS – 100 points
NO LATE, EMAILED OR HANDWRITTEN PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED
Dance Concert Critique
The critique must be written in essay format utilizing critical thinking skills. The paper will be
graded on content, grammar, spelling and completion of assignment. 4 pages, typed, doublespace with 12pt Helvetica, New Times Roman, or Geneva font and 1 inch margins. Use spell
check and proof read. No bullet points. Staple ticket stub to the paper. You are required to
critique 3-5 dances including the first and last pieces. The paper is to include the following:
Introduction
State the name of the dance piece, choreographer, and composer. Refer to the dance you are critiquing as a
piece. Use the choreographer’s last name once you have stated his/her full name.
Description
Describe the piece in terms of moment, shape, dance style, ambience, undertones, music, etc. Be detailed,
descriptive, and specific. Discuss the movement in relationship to the music. Describe costumes, lighting,
and scenery as well. Discuss how the piece was organized what choreographic form and devices were
employed such as retrograde, canon, repletion, call-and response. The more the better.
Analysis
Analyze the piece. Discuss what the piece is about or theme. Is it about an idea, concept, emotions, story
or is it abstract? Write about the choreographer’s intention, how he/she went about it, and how successful
it was or wasn’t. Provide specific examples. Discuss how the music, lighting, costumes, and scenery play
apart in the choreographer’s intention. Did they support it or not. Why or why not?
Evaluate
Comment on the over performance of the piece, execution of choreography and implementation of design
elements: lighting, costume, and scenery. State your opinion and support it with specific examples. What
made the piece work or not? What were the strengths of the piece as well as its weakness (if any)?
Conclusion
Sum up paper with concluding thoughts that ties everything together. Add any praise or suggestions for
improvement in this section.
If you need assistance with your paper, make an appointment with the Writing and Reading Center at 562938-4520. The center is located in the back of the lower level of the E building.
You may also use google to research how to write a dance critique.
You must attend the LBCC Spring Dance Concert and turn the paper in on the aforementioned due date.
No make-up or substitution allowed for this assignment. If you cannot attend the dance concert, you must
make arrangements ahead of time to watch the dress rehearsal. This is your responsibility.
If you are a dancer or choreographer in the LBCC Dance Concert, you must attend another concert (college
or professional) and turn in your paper by the last day of class.
“Lack of honesty in the classroom is considered a very serious offense. Any form of cheating on tests,
turning in of work which is not one’s own (plagiarism), talking during test, furnishing false
information to instructors or knowingly misrepresenting oneself to the college is grounds for
disciplinary action. The consequences of cheating are severe and may include the possibility of
expulsion. Disciplinary action can include the following: warning, reprimands, probation,
suspensions, expulsion, restitution, and loss of financial aid.”