Dance Appreciation DANC 101 005
3 Credits CRN 17181
TR 12:00 PM to 1:15 PM
Location: Innovation Hall 204
Instructor: Kate Mattingly
Office Phone: 703 993-1114
Office Hours: by appointment
Department Mailbox: PAB, A300
Email: kmatting@gmu.edu
Course Description:
Introduces dance as universal human activity, expression of cultural identity, and art form. This survey of dance
includes social, ceremonial historic court, classical and theatrical forms of dance. As this class meets general
education fine arts requirement primary emphasis is placed on dance as an art form.
The class will experience dance, primarily through observation but also as participants, to better understand
and clarify the phenomena that is “dance”. What dance is and why people dance will be examined with an
understanding of the cultural and historical perspectives.
Dance Appreciation explores dance as a system of communication, expression, and cultural identity. A wide
variety of places, time periods, and artists are included in this course. Students are expected to attend classes,
to engage in discussions, and to use their creative and critical thinking skills to further conversation and
analysis. Dance will be viewed as an essential part of theatrical events, rituals, social customs, and political
practices. Attention is placed on students’ ability to see, recognize, and articulate similarities and differences.
Students will be required to create one presentation and to attend the Mason Dance Gala. Each student is
required to turn in a ticket and program from this event.
Nature of Course Delivery: This course is taught through lecture, discussion, and studio practice.
Learning Outcomes: At the conclusion of this course, students will be able to:
• Identify fundamental elements of dance using appropriate vocabulary
• Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the movement vocabulary and the expression
of a work’s underlying ideas and values.
• Analyze and interpret dance in its cultural, social, historical and/or personal contexts
All academic programs at Mason (including the General Education Program) have student learning outcomes
that are assessed periodically. Your work from this course may be selected for use in such an assessment.
Your anonymity is assured and your grade will not be affected. At any time, you may contact the Office of
Institutional Assessment (assessment@gmu.edu) with questions, concerns and comments about the use of
your work.
Course Requirements:
• Attendance is essential for success in this course. Students are expected to attend every class and
attendance will be taken. Four absences may result in a failing grade. It is not possible to make up
any missed classes. (see website for department guidelines)
o Chronic lateness will affect final grades.
o If it is necessary to leave class early, inform the instructor ahead of time. The class will count as
½ attendance.
• Participation in class. A few designated classes will include a movement component so you must be
prepared to move i.e. wear clothing, which allows you to move. Class discussion is also an important
aspect of participation.
• Attendance at the following Mason Dance Gala is REQUIRED. You will turn in your ticket stub and
program.
GMU Dance Company Gala
March 25 and 26 at 8:00pm
Tickets: $15, full; $10, students, staff & seniors; $7 groups of 10 or more Limited free tickets
available to students beginning 3/15/2011
• Final Exam: Tuesday, 5/17 10:30 am – 1:15 pm
Required Text: Dancing: the Pleasure, Power and Art of Movement by Gerald Jonas
Grading:
Participation (includes class attendance and quizzes) 25%
Midterm Exam 20%
Class Presentation 25%
Final Exam 30%
Grading Standards:
• A grade of “A” is given for superlative work that demonstrates a profound commitment to the course material,
and further, that goes on to employ this material as a springboard for independent thought and work. Grades
of 90% or higher = A
• A grade of “B” is given for very good work that completely fulfills all the requirements of the course in a
conscientious and dedicated manner, and that demonstrates mastery of the course content.
Grades of 80 – 89 = B
• A grade of “C” is given for work that fulfills all the requirements of the course in a satisfactory manner, but that
falls short of demonstrating rigor and mastery. Grades of 70 – 79 = C
• A grade of “D” is given for work that is unsatisfactory Grades of 60 – 69 = D
• A grade of “F” is given for work that fails to fulfill the requirements of the course. Any grade under 60% = F
The Class Presentation: Working alone or with a partner, each student will make a presentation to the class
about a topic that connects to the course. you can select a dance style that you enjoy doing and that you have
researched or a choreographer/dancer you admire. The presentation can also be about a dance style that you
invent and describe to the class. Another option is to attend a performance (or 2) this semester and describe
what you saw and experienced and then connect the event to class lectures and discussions. You will turn in
your topic of presentation during Week 4 of the semester. Presentations will be 5 to 7 minutes.
GMU Add/Drop Policy: The last day to drop this class with no tuition liability is 2/8/2011. The last day to drop
this class without Dean’s permission is 2/25/2011, by 5pm. The elective withdrawal period for this class is from
2/28/2011 to 4/1/2011. It is the student’s responsibility to check to verify that they are properly enrolled as no
credit will be awarded to students who are not.
Honor Code, Copyright, & Computing Policies: To promote a stronger sense of mutual responsibility,
respect, trust, and fairness among all members of the George Mason University community and with the desire
for greater academic and personal achievement, we, the student members of the university community, have
set forth this honor code: Student members of the George Mason University community pledge not to cheat,
plagiarize, steal, or lie in matters related to academic work. You are expected to adhere to all University
policies and guidelines during your participation in this course. All work must be your own. Inappropriate use of
the work of others is a George Mason University Honor Code violation. Please review the University’s website
for information on the following: Honor Code and Judicial Procedures; Copyright/Fair Use; and Responsible
Use of Computing.
If you are a student with a disability and you need academic accommodations please see me and contact
the Disability Resource Center (DRC) at 703.993.2474. All academic accommodations must be arranged
through that office. Students must inform the instructor at the beginning of the semester, and the specific
accommodation will be arranged through the Disability Resource Center.
It is not possible to receive an incomplete grade in this class. If you anticipate difficulty in completing this
course see your instructor immediately to discuss your options.
You are encourage to sign up for the Mason Alert System by visiting the website https://alert.gmu.edu. An
emergency poster exists in each classroom explaining what to do in the event of crises and that further
information about emergency procedures exists on http://www.gmu.edu/service/cert.
NOTE: Cell phones, pagers and alarms must be turned off in class. No exceptions.
Performances can be found at these venues:
GMU Center for the Arts http://cfa.gmu.edu/calendar/
The Kennedy Center www.kennedy-center.org for FREE performances on The Millennium Stage at The
Kennedy Center: www.kennedy-center.org/millennium
Strathmore www.strathmore.org
Lisner Auditorium www.lisner.org
Warner Theatre www.warnertheatre.com
Wolf Trap www.wolf-trap.org
University of Maryland Clarice Smith Center http://claricesmithcenter.umd.edu/2010/
Dance Place www.danceplace.org
Partial Calendar of Performances this semester at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts
February 4 and 5: Mark Morris Dance Group at 8:00 pm (tickets available January 21)
February 27: Drumline LIVE at 7:00 pm
March 5 and 6: Tango Buenos Aires
March 25 and 26: School of Dance Gala
April 8: David Parsons “Remember Me” with East Village Opera Company
April 9 and 10: Russian National Ballet in “Romeo & Juliet” (Saturday) and “Swan Lake” (Sunday)
April 14, 15 and 16: Mason Dance Company/School of Dance concert in the Harris Theater
April 30: Trisha Brown Dance Company
May 6 and 7: Mason Dance Company/School of Dance concert in the Harris Theater
at The Kennedy Center
American Ballet Theatre January 18-23
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater February 1-6
Mariinsky Ballet (formerly Kirov) February 8-13
Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company February 24-25
Music and Dance of India March 1-20
Paul Taylor Dance Company March 22-24
Dance Appreciation Spring 2011
WEEK 1 Class 1 what is dance and why do people dance? Viewing in class Mad Hot Ballroom
Class 2 perception, description, interpretation (bring a photo or postcard)
Reading: pages 70 to 87 in Dancing (the text book) Notice use of description
WEEK 2 Time and Talent. Viewing in class: Beyond the Steps
Reading: “10,000 hours” in Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell on Blackboard.
WEEK 3 People, Identity, and Culture. Viewing in class: The Freshest Kids
Reading in Dancing pages 164 to 189.
WEEK 4 Ballet. Reading: in Dancing pages 128 to 135.
WEEK 5 Modern Dance. Reading in Dancing pages 190 to 227.
WEEK 6 Dance in India. Reading: in Dancing pages 56 to 69.
WEEK 7 Midterm Exam on March 10
Spring Break March 14 to March 20
WEEK 8 Dance in Japan. Reading: in Dancing read pages 136-149. Questions posted.
WEEK 9 Postmodern Dance. Reading: Sally Banes Terpsichore in Sneakers posted on Blackboard. Questions
posted on Blackboard.
WEEK 10 The Disenfranchised and the Power of Dance. Reading in Dancing pages 12 to 35.
WEEK 11 Social Dance. Reading in Dancing pages 108 to 127.
WEEK 12 Dance in Film: Reading in Dancing pages 238-244.
WEEK 13 Class Presentations
WEEK 14 Class Presentations and Review for Final Exam