Instructor: Molly Faulkner (Ext. 2318) mfaulkner@palomar.edu
Office Hours: Office D-3k, W 2-3:30, Th 4-6:30 and by appt.
Palomar College
__X __
Transfer Course
__X__ A.A. degree applicable course
Course Number and Title:
Dance 100: Survey of Dance
Unit Value: 3
Minimum of Semester Hours: 72
Basic Skills Requirements: Appropriate Language Skills
Course Materials (Required):
Jacob, Ellen. (1998). Dancing the indispensable reference (2nd edition).Southport, CT:
Variety Arts.
Scope of Course:
Survey of present day dance forms from a Euro-Western perspective, through lecture, film, and
movement participation. Lectures focus on the culture of dance class, history, nutrition and
anatomy, teaching and learning styles, choreography, and career opportunities. Movement
emphasis is on basic dance skills, terms, and concepts inherent in most dance forms. Includes
working with basic ballet, modern, jazz, tap, hip hop styles.
Course Content:
This course will be based on the following:
Readings from the texts
Lectures and discussions lead by the instructor and students
Movement/Artistic experiences led by the instructor and/or guest artists
Videotaped performances of dance
Objectives:
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Demonstrate an appreciation of dance as an art form through observation of contemporary
dance works and performers
Demonstrate the most basic dance skills, terms and concepts
Demonstrate verbal and presentation skills
Compare and contrast styles and techniques of various dance forms in today’s dance
world
Synthesize dance as a broad based discipline: including technique, performance, world
cultures, choreography, career opportunities, physical and educational requirements
Address the particularities of writing about dance
Evaluation:
Instructor-prepared objective and essay questions are used for testing. Students are evaluated on
the basis of substantive participation in movement and discussion sessions, test scores, written
assignments, oral presentation of work, and demonstration of choreographic process.
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Substantive participation in discussions and movement/artistic experiences and lectures
(note: if you are not in class you can not get credit for participation) (30 classes @ 10pts
each = 300 pts)
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Art Collage – Who am I as a Dancer (50 pts)
Graded on thoughtfulness, comprehension, and completion of project
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One Mini Research Paper on a style/period/event/historical figures in dance. 3-4 pages.
(75 pts)
Please refer to the writing research paper guidelines. Papers are graded on content
-- thoroughness and credibility of research, and use of sources and quotations;
organization -- flow and cohesiveness of ideas, and proper citation of sources; and
grammar: readability, and proper English usage. At least three sources two of them book
or periodical sources. Database sources are considered periodicals. Please use either the
MLA or APA style guide.
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Paper Presentation and Outline-- a 10 minute lecture based on your research topic and
paper (without a paper there is no presentation). Please include a visual aid (poster board,
video, physical demonstration – if you can’t find a video, please ask me – I have a huge
collection), and please provide a comprehensive outline for every member of class (35
copies) Practice the timing I will have a stopwatch and stop you at 10 minutes. (50 pts)
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Paper presentations are graded on content -- thoroughness and credibility of
research, use of sources and quotations; organization – flow and cohesiveness of
presentation, clear articulation of ideas; voice – diction, clarity of speech (watch the
uhms, likes and you knows) and volume, I need to be able to hear you; visual – quality
and appropriateness of visual aid i.e – if your presentation is about the Tango – the dance
sequence from True Lies isn’t exactly credible, outline – the comprehension and
cohesiveness of the outline.
Three, one page written critiques of a Palomar dance events --Observation criteria will be
discussed in class. Must be typed and double spaced, 1” margins, 12 pt. font. Dec. 8/9
8pm in the Howard Brubeck Theatre. Due within 2 weeks of seeing the show (25 pts ea =
75 pts total)
Please refer to critique guide
Midterm
(50 pts)
Choreography showing (50 pts)
A = 650-585, B= 584-519, C= 518-453, D= 452-387, F= 386 and under
Extra Credit Assignments (you may choose 2 of these 4 options):
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Observation #3 Two Hours (approx). Please rent or see a film or video that has dance as a
major portion of the plot. Write a page on what the plot of the film is, what style or styles
of dance are represented and pick one or two dance moments and describe them in detail.
Examples of films could be Flashdance, Breakers, Billy Elliot, Center Stage, Swan Lake,
Top Hat, 42cnd Street, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. . . (10 pts)
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One 1 page critique of a Palomar performing arts event (note every Thursday @ 12:30 1:30 there is a free music concert in room D-10). Due within two weeks of seeing the
show. (10pts)
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Critique #2 A critique of a live dance performance --Observation criteria will be
discussed in class. Due within two weeks of seeing the show. (10pts)
Notes:
Everyone has an A in this class. This syllabus tells you everything you need to know to keep it.
If you plagiarize, cheat or in anyway take credit for work that is not yours
you will fail this class. Please see the student handbook, and the student code
of conduct http://www.palomar.edu/Code_of_Conduct_condensed_version.pdf
for more information.
Absence Policy: You are graded on substantive participation in class the grading scale is
reflective of this. Any absence can potentially affect your grade. I will accept a doctor’s note as
an excused absence due to me within a week of having missed class.
Participation is defined as being in class on time, staying the whole length of class, being active
in discussions and movement portions of class, being willing to try things that may be unfamiliar
to you, and most of all a good working attitude toward the class material, the fellow students, and
your instructor. Note: Any absence will affect your participation grade.
There are no make ups for choreography showings or exams, and I will not accept late
assignments. If it is an extreme circumstance and you have made prior arrangements with
me, I may consider it.
Dress Code for movement sections: Please wear comfortable clothing that you can move in. The
instructors need to be able to see your spine so fairly tight fitting t-shirts, biker shorts, sports bras,
tight fitting sweat pants. . . No levis, baseball hats, gum. Street shoes may not be worn in the
studio so either jazz, ballet shoes, or bare feet are required. No food or drink in the studio except
for closed topped water bottles.
Please turn off all cell phones and pagers before class.
If you are sick -- coughing, wheezing, sneezing. . . I will send you home and still mark you
absent so please use your best judgment and save us all the grief of getting sick.
I will count three tardies as an absence. I define tardy as anytime after I take roll.
In the unlikely event that I am late for class, please wait 20 minutes. If I am not there by then,
consider the class canceled with no penalty to the students.
All written assignments must be typed with 1” margins, 12 pt. font, and double spaced. They will
be graded on correct spelling, grammar and organization as well as creativity, research and
analysis.
If at anytime you would like to speak with me about your progress or the class in general, please
come see me. Ext. 2318, Office D3k, mfaulkner@palomar.edu
* My classes are based on a system of mutual respect, my respect for you, your respect for each
other, and your respect for me. If you respect my time, I will respect yours.
Dance Survey Calendar
Week 1
Wed. Jan. 17 Syllabus overview
Homework: Read Ch. 1-2, 14 in Dancing p. 14-30, 195-202
Week 2
Mon. Jan 22 Art Showings
Due: Make art collage from pictures out of magazines, off the internet, other relevant
sources, may include drawings or anything you would like. The title of this collage is “Who am I
as a dancer” please make it relevant to your relationship with dance.
Wed. Jan 24 Who can dance/research paper overview
Week 3
Mon. Jan. 29 Meet at Library
Homework: Read Jacob Ch. 10 113-156
Wed. Jan. 31 Dance History
Homework: Read Jacob Ch. 3, 4, 5, 6 p. 31-68
Donald Mckayle Residency
Wed. 6:30 @ MiraCosta Master Class Free
Thursday 7pm @CSUSM – Lecture Demonstration Free
Friday 8pm @Howard Brubeck Theatre Performance ($10)
Week 4
Mon. Feb. 5 Anatomy
Homework: Read Jacob Ch. 17, 18, 19 p. 215-241
Wed. Feb. 7 Nutrition
Palomar Dance Festival
Fri/Sat Feb. 9/10 8pm
Week 5
Mon. Feb. 12 Teaching Learning styles
Wed. Feb. 14 Ballet
Donald McKayle critiques due
Week 6
Mon. Feb. 19 – no class
Wed. Feb. 21 Ballet
Papers Due
Week 7
Mon. Feb. 26 Modern
Wed. Feb. 28 Modern
Modern Dance Concert critique due
Week 8
Mon. March 5 Jazz
Wed. March 7 Jazz
Week 9
Mon. March 12 Midterm Review
Wed. March 14 Midterm
March 19-25 Spring Break
Week 10
Mon. March 26 Afro-Cuban
Wed. March 28 Afro-Cuban
Paper re-writes due
Week 11
Mon. April 2 Tap
Wed. April 4 Tap
Week 12
Mon. April 9 Hip Hop
Wed. April 11 Hip Hop
Week 13
Mon. April 16 Student Presentations
Wed. April 18 Student Presentations
Week 14
Mon. April 23 Student Presentations
Wed. April 25 Student Presentations
Week 15
Mon. April 30 Student Presentations
Wed. May 2 Choreography
Week 16
Mon. May 7 Choreography
Wed. May 9 Choreography
Palomar Faculty Dance Concert
Fri/Sat May 11/12 8pm Howard Brubeck Theatre
Sun. May 13 2pm
Finals Week
Mon. May 14 – 8 -10 am Student Showing
Due: Critiques for Faculty Dance Concert
Research Paper Guidelines
I expect college level writing.
If you need help there are writing labs at the Library and in Room S1
You may also make an appointment to work with me (I need at least a week before the paper is
due to help)
I grade on three areas equally: Content, Organization, and Grammar.
If you paper is not College level I will hand it back for revision – as many times as necessary.
Content
Please make sure your topic is manageable in the page limit given. The history of ballet would be
a hard topic to cover in 3-4 pages. But the impact of Fanny Elsler on the female image of ballet
would be narrow enough to handle.
If you choose to write on a historical figure, just don’t give me a blow by blow of their life, pick
an idea about them that you are intrigued by. How Gene Kelley changed the face of American
Dance on Film is much more focused and interesting than a recitation of Gene Kelley’s life. I
want to know WHY!!!!!!! Or HOW!!!!! Something is important.
Make sure that you are supporting your ideas with your source material. I am not interested in
what others have to say about your topic, I am interested in your ideas and how other writers
support those ideas.
Please explore your ideas fully within the scope of your paper. Do not introduce ideas that you
are not prepared to cover and do not introduce new ideas in your conclusionary paragraph. That
is to wrap up your own ideas. Do not end with a quote, I want you to end with your own words.
I am serious about the length of the paper. If it is a 3-4 page paper I expect at least 3 1/2 full
pages. If your paper is under the page limit I will grade off for content and organization.
Organization
No title page is necessary (let’s save a tree)
Please put your name, course title, and date in the upper right corner (single spaced).
The title of your paper should encapsulate the idea you are exploring in your research and be
centered three lines (triple spaced) after the date.
The rest of the paper should be double spaced using 12 pt. font (I prefer Times) with one inch
margins top, bottom, right and left.
Page #’s should be bottom center and please staple your paper.
Your introductory paragraph that introduces the reader to your topic, your thesis statement (what
perspective your paper will be exploring) and explain reasons why you have chosen this topic,
should be triple spaced (three lines) after your title.
Please indent all paragraphs five spaces.
Each subsequent paragraph must include a topic sentence and support for that sentence. A
paragraph should deal with only one major idea and support for that idea.
If you are mentioning the name of a movie, dance, song, theatre production please italicize all
titles.
Please make sure your subject matter is organized in a logical manner. I need to understand the
progression from idea to idea.
All quotes need to be credited with the last name of the author and page # (if in APA – also
include the year of the publication).
Quotes should support YOUR ideas – I am not interested in reading a string of quotes. I am
interested in what ideas YOU have and how quotes support them.
Please write in a stylistic format. The library has handouts on the various styles. I prefer APA
format where the quotes are followed by parenthetical source information. I will also accept
MLA in which the source material information is in footnote form. Please make sure that your
style is consistent.
You must have a bibliography or works cited page that includes all of your source material.
Grammar
All sentences must have at least a subject and a verb.
Please keep your paragraphs in the same tense.
Make sure your paper is saying what you want it to say. Read it aloud and if it sounds stuffy or
awkward, it probably is.
Please spell check and proofread your paper. Those little mistakes really add up.
WRITING CRITIQUES
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Put your name on the top, somewhere and what class it is for
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At least One full page double spaced, typed, 12 point font (times preferably), 1” margins
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Typed with a printer cartridge that has ink
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Stapled
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Proper spelling and grammar are a given
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Use a lede. A lede is an opening statement that catches the attention of the reader.
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Give your paper a conclusion, don’t just stop, sum up what you have said.
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I do not accept hand written critiques
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Proofread your paper. If there are more than three errors in the first paragraph, I will hand back your paper
to be rewritten and take off 10 points
Choose one or two dances or moments that interested you, either good or bad and write on them, you do
not have to give a detailed account of the whole show in fact, please don’t.
Use your personal voice, and please write in first person. You saw the show, it is your opinion, therefore
write in a style that is comfortable for you. Don't apologize in your writing, i.e., “I’m really not a good enough
dancer to say that I didn’t think her technique was . . . “ Write with authority. “I didn’t like her technique because . . .
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I love bad reviews as well as good reviews but your opinions must be backed up with examples and
intelligent reasons. "I didn't like it cause it was ugly," is not good enough. “I thought the angular lines of the
choreography were inconsistent to the music and caused a dissonance that was never resolved,” would tell me why
you didn’t like it.
Things to look for are:
Give credit where credit is due - - I want names: choreographer, composer, costume designer, lighting
designer, dancers. Weave the names of the players into the body of your text, do not just list them off in
chronological order.
Intent - - what do you feel the dance was about? Did the choreographer achieve that? Why or why not?
Style - - was it ballet, tap, jazz, modern, folk, a combination of several styles? Was that style appropriate to
the dance? Why or why not?
Choreography - - notice that this is different from the dancing. Were the steps the dancers were doing put
together in a way that facilitated the intent. What kind of moves were used: flowing, athletic, low to the ground, a lot
of jumps? Did you recognize any steps we do in class?
Dancing - - how did the dancers perform the choreography? Did they look tired? Bored? Did they do a
good job? Why or why not? How was their technique?
Production Elements - - lighting, sets, props, multi-media elements, costumes: were these things effective
in making a cohesive whole? Why or why not. A dance is more than just the dancers and the choreography.
These are just a few of the elements involved in writing an intelligent dance review. If there are other
elements you choose to write about, please do so. Live performance is amazing and I love anecdotes, like... "A
dancer's shoe fell off and went flying into the audience and some old lady caught it..." If the unexpected happens or if
you notice something that might have been a mistake, tell me about it. I prefer reading a slightly less formal style of
writing yet still well organized. Make it conversational and don't just list facts. Use lots and lots of descriptive
language.
Tense - - Please write in the past tense. Present tense can be used you are stating a universal fact. “The
Washington Ballet is a good company.” “I love tap dancing.” But if you are talking about the performance, “I saw
the Washington Ballet and really liked it because...” “The lighting for the show reminded me of...” Of course this
rule is meant to be broken if there is a valid reason but it has to be a good reason. Do not switch tenses in the middle
of a sentence and try not to switch tenses in the middle of a paragraph.
Most of all have fun with these assignments. I read hundreds of reviews each semester, make yours stand
out, be funny, use big words, and have fun writing it... Make me remember it.