DAN1201. Lanfear.doc
BALLET 1A, Fall 2010
Instructor: Genie Lanfear
Office: Mel 226
”Dance is an expression of joy” John Tarus (former ballet master of New York City Ballet)
Office Hours: TBA
Office phone: 713 743-9842
Class Time T/Th 11; 30-1
Email: genielanfear@yahoo.com
Course Description:
This is a beginner ballet class. There will be a focus on ballet technique, core strength and
musicality. The student will be required to learn ballet terms, combinations, use clean footwork,
and know how to jump and turn in appropriate ballet positions. The ability to quickly and
accurately learn basic ballet movement while also developing an awareness of performance skill
is critical to this course.
Course Objectives/Learning Outcomes:
1. Barre: Learn technical skills necessary in ballet and dance as a performance art, namely; proper
alignment, strength, flexibility/ extension, and coordination. Emphasis on engaging core muscles
(abdominal).
2. Center: Emphasis on moving through space, pirouettes, and petite/ grand allegro (small and
large jumps).
3. Develop artistry in regards to musicality, phrasing, dynamics, and presentation.
4. Instill the sense of self-discipline requisite for the dance profession.
5. Develop an understanding of the physical anatomy of the body and its relationship to
movement.
6. Develop strength and stamina required for any technically physical movement.
7. Learn ballet terms and their meaning.
Evaluation/Grading:
1. Class attendance. Carefully read the attendance policy. Dance classes strictly adhere to
this policy.
2. Participation in classroom studies Process: must learn ballet combinations, ballet terms
and ballet positions…………………………………………………………………60%
Improvement in the following areas, with the percentages given:
Ability to pick-up and retain information in dance sequences: 10%
Phrasing & musicality: 10%
Use of spine in relationship to the placement of the pelvis (a strong oppositional pull): 10%
Overall alignment (especially the placement of the head and hips): 10%
Attitude & commitment to improvement in class: 10%
Understanding and applying corrections (even corrections given other students): 10%
3. A written paper on muscles, abdominals, quadriceps, hamstring, iliopsoas, piriformis,
gluteus, etc (will discuss in class). Papers need to be between 1.5-3 pages, double-spaced.
Papers will be due September 28………………………………………………………15%
4. Written midterm on ballet positions and muscles on September 30 …………15%
5. Danced final exam TBA……………………………..10%
6. Extra credit to eliminate an absence: You my take another ballet class at the university if
the teacher allows, one time only.
7. Students in a degree plan for Dance at the University of Houston must meet the GPA
protocol for the School of Theatre.
ALL STUENTS MUST ATTEND STUDENT PERFORMANCE AT THE END OF THE
SEMESTER.
ATTENDANCE:
The School of Theatre Attendance Policy will apply to this course. Copies are posted on the
dance bulletin board and are also available as handouts at the beginning of the semester. THERE
IS NO DISTINCTION BETWEEN AN EXCUSED OR AN UNEXCUSED ABSENCE.
Doctors excuses do not make an absence “ excused “. Participation is crucial to learning dance. If
the student has an injury or contagious illness, he/she should discuss it with the professor. Please
notify the instructor before class begins if you must leave before class has ended.
Dress Requirements:
Ballet shoes required. Your clothes must be close fitting in order to view your technical progress.
No excessive layering. No excessive jewelry allowed. Secure hair away from face. Your grade
will be penalized for inappropriate attire.
No chewing gum:
The departmental ruling on gum chewing in class is based on the possibility of inhaling the gum
and blocking the airway while dancing. Therefore, the student’s grade will be penalized for
chewing gum during class.
Water bottles:
Please bring water to class. Hydrating the body during a workout is necessary for optimum
performance.
Clean up:
Please do not leave your trash on the floor of the dance studio. Respect our dance space.
TURN OFF ALL PAGERS AND CELL PHONES DURING CLASS.
OTHER INPORTANT INFORMATION; For information on Academic Honesty, Academic
Calendar, Religious Holy Days, and Disabilities please go to:
http://www.uh.edu/provost/stu/stu/ syllabsuppl.html
Absence and Late Policy for The School of Theatre & Dance,
University of Houston
1. Each student is allowed absences without penalty based on the number of contact credit hours
for the specific course. For example, if a class meets three hours a week, the student may be
absent for three hours during the semester without penalty. Absences in excess of this number
will result in a final grade drop in accordance with the following scale:
 The class meets three times a week for an hour:
Four absences
=
1/2 letter drop
Five absences
=
one full letter drop
Six absences
=
two full letters drop
Seven absences
=
Automatic "F" grade
 The class meets two times a week for an hour and a half:
Three absences
=
one full letter drop
Four absences
=
two full letters drop
Five absences
=
Automatic "F" grade
 The class meets one time a week for 3 hours: At the discretion of the instructor.
 For Production classes (Theatre 111, Theatre 112, Dance 3208, Dance 3109):
Absent one required rehearsal
=
one full letter drop
Absent two required rehearsals =
Automatic "F"
Absent one performance
=
Automatic "F"
2. Students with legitimate problems resulting in excessive absences should drop affected
courses in accordance with cut-off dates for such action as announced by each College.
Instructor will NOT automatically drop students who fail to drop. IT IS THE
RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENT TO DROP THE CLASS.
3. Tardiness (entering class after the roll has been taken.) Being tardy twice is equivalent of one
absence. (DANCE NOTE: In dance technique classes, if a student arrives more than 5 minutes
after the warm up has begun, he/she will not be allowed to take the class but must "sit out." If a
student cannot dance due to an injury or non-contagious illness the student should "sit out."
During a "sit out", the student must participate through assignments given by instructor. Students
are allowed two "sit outs." Sit-outs are equivalent to tardies in this policy.) Leaving class early
has the same penalties as a tardy.
4. Students may appeal any final grade to the Executive Committee of the School of Theatre &
Dance. ALL ABSENCES (allowed and excessive) MUST BE JUSTIFIED IN AN APPEAL.
Appeals must be accompanied by a clear written statement regarding the rational for the appeal,
as well as documented (medical or otherwise). Only appeals that aptly indicate unavoidable and
catastrophic circumstances will receive favorable consideration. Students are urged not to risk
losing the advantage of allowable absences by using for unnecessary reasons.
5. Work, professional jobs, athletics, and/or other external, university, or department obligations
that conflict with a theater/dance course will not be excused or considered for appeal.
ALL APPEALS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL SECRETARY IN THE
WORTHAM THEATRE BUILDING NO LATER THAN THE LAST DAY OF CLASS.