NEW COURSE PROPOSAL
1. School of Liberal Arts, Performing Arts Department, Perfa 80, Dance Science.
2. This course was missing from our curriculum for the dance major and minor.
Students need this course for graduate studies and to maintain the standard in the
discipline.
-
a) Objectives of the course:
To deepen our understanding of human anatomy and gain the ability to identify
individual parts of the skeletal and muscular systems, as well as the ways these
parts work together, using the scientific language of anatomy.
-
To develop the Bartenieff language and vocabulary, including the patterns of
connectivity, increasing awareness of the basic principles of human movement,
and providing a connective framework for how we as embodied beings create and
communicate knowledge.
-
To develop a clear, embodied comprehension and awareness of our own anatomy
and the healthy, safe choices we can make in terms of dance technique, lifestyle,
and injury prevention.
-
To enthusiastically dive into the lifelong journey of learning about this
magnificent machine, the human body.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
-
Identify anatomical planes and axes associated with movement.
Define functions of the skeletal system.
Identify bones of the axial and appendicular skeleton.
Describe joint types, structures, and actions
Describe anatomy and function of muscle tissue.
Identify major muscles and their actions.
Identify exercises to strengthen and/or stretch specific muscles or muscle groups.
Describe concepts of conditioning and injury prevention.
Understand aspects of basic nutritional wellness and nutrition for dancers/athletes.
Understand the basics of Bartenieff Fundamentals through the patterns of total body
organization which include: 1) breath, 2) core-distal connectivity, 3) head-tail
connectivity, 4) upper-lower connectivity, 5) body-half connectivity, 6) cross-lateral
connectivity.
b) The Performing Arts recently completed their program review and the dance program
determined the courses that were needed to update their curriculum to remain current
in the field. The PRC agreed to update the curriculum with Dance Science, Laban
Movement Analysis, and a Pedagogy course.
c) Class will include lecture, group and individual projects, and laboratory
experiences. At-home reading, coloring, and journal assignments will be
detailed in class and students will be expected to come to class prepared to
discuss the week’s topics. Two quizzes will be given throughout the semester
and there will be a mid-term exam, and final project and presentation. Passfail grading will not be allowed for majors.
3. Student population will be majors and minors in dance. We anticipate 15-20
students every fall when the course is offered.
4. This course is expected for first year dance students. Typically they would take
the course in the fall of freshman year. However, if they join the program in their
second year, they would take it as soon as possible. This course is not a core
requirement, only a dance requirement. It only serves this population. In the past,
a few Kinesiology students have also taken the course. We also include this
course for our Dance/Kinesiology split majors.
5. There are no extraordinary costs. We have already purchased a skeleton for the
course and other materials with our dance budget. The course needs a media
classroom.
6. Library review to be sent separately.
7. The course is 1.0 credit. The course meets the requirement for classroom hours. It
meets T TH from 11:30-1:05.
8. There are no prerequisites for this course. Students must be enrolled in a dance
course concurrently. The dance major or minor takes a dance class each semester,
typically.
9. Course description: Dance Science is an introductory overview of the basic
principles of human anatomy and kinesiology and their applications within the
context of dance training and practice. The course will emphasize the structure
and function of the skeletal and muscular systems as well as how these elements
determine how the body moves most efficiently. Basic Bartenieff Fundamentals
will be studied as a framework for developing an embodied understanding of the
structure and movement of the human body. Movement analysis, principles of
conditioning and injury prevention, and basic nutrition will also be addressed.
Students will be encouraged to mindfully integrate their learning in this course
with their concurrent work in dance technique and performance.
10. Please see attached syllabus.
11. This course has been offered as an experimental course twice. The second time
we had developed a curriculum to try to address the Scientific Understanding
learning outcome. When it became apparent that the CCC would not pass a dance
course, we redesigned the course to our needs, rather than the needs of the general
student population. We also worked to connect this course to Laban Movement
Analysis, the upper division course that would follow Dance Science.
DANCE SCIENCE
PERFA 80
Instructor: Elizebeth Randall
Office hours by appointment
er13@stmarys-ca.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is an introductory overview of the basic principles of human anatomy and
kinesiology and their applications within the context of dance training and practice. We
will emphasize the structure and function of the skeletal and muscular systems as well as
how these elements determine how the body moves most efficiently. Basic Bartenieff
Fundamentals will be studied as a framework for developing our embodied understanding
of the structure and movement of the human body. Movement analysis, principles of
conditioning and injury prevention, and basic nutrition will also be addressed. Students
will be encouraged to mindfully integrate their learning in this course with their
concurrent work in dance technique and performance.
REQUIRED TEXTS
Biel, Andrew; Trail Guide to the Body (4th edition); Books of Discovery, 2010
Hackney, Peggy; Making connections: Total body integration through Bartenieff
Fundamentals; Routledge, 2002
Kapit & Elson; The Anatomy Coloring Book (4th edition); Pearson, 2013
**Colored pencils/pens needed**
Journal—Students will need a journal or notebook for this class which will periodically
be turned in to the instructor. Journal entries will be assigned in conjunction with topics
of study and how they relate to students’ daily experiences in dance technique classes and
rehearsals. Students will occasionally share journal entries aloud for class discussion.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
-
To deepen our understanding of human anatomy and gain the ability to identify
individual parts of the skeletal and muscular systems, as well as the ways these
parts work together, using the scientific language of anatomy.
-
To develop the Bartenieff language and vocabulary, including the patterns of
connectivity, increasing awareness of the basic principles of human movement,
and providing a connective framework for how we as embodied beings create and
communicate knowledge.
-
To develop a clear, embodied comprehension and awareness of our own anatomy
and the healthy, safe choices we can make in terms of dance technique, lifestyle,
and injury prevention.
-
To enthusiastically dive into the lifelong journey of learning about this
magnificent machine, the human body.
CLASS FORMAT:
Class will include lecture, group and individual projects, and laboratory experiences. Athome reading, coloring, and journal assignments will be detailed in class and students
will be expected to come to class prepared to discuss the week’s topics. Two quizzes will
be given throughout the semester and there will be a mid-term exam, and final project
and presentation. Class attendance is mandatory and two absences are allowed before
your grade will be affected. Three tardies equal one absence.
TOPICS OF STUDY:
Anatomical planes, directional terminology
Bartenieff Fundamentals
Bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons
The spine and thorax
Bones of the upper extremity
Bones of the pelvic region
Bones of the legs and feet
Muscles of the back, thorax, and principles of breathing
Abdominal muscles
Muscles of shoulder girdle, arms, and hands
Muscles of the pelvic region
Muscles of the legs and feet
Movement analysis
Injury prevention
Nutrition for dancers
EVALUATION:
Students will complete individual and group assignments, weekly journal entries,
coloring assignments, quizzes, examinations, and a final presentation. Material on the
quizzes and exams will be taken from lecture, the textbooks, handouts, and in-class
laboratory experiences.
Your grade will be determined by the following:
20%-- Attendance and in-class participation
20%-- Quizzes (2)
10%-- Journal
10%-- Coloring Book assignments
20%-- Mid-term Exam
20%-- Final project and presentation
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
-
Identify anatomical planes and axes associated with movement.
Define functions of the skeletal system.
Identify bones of the axial and appendicular skeleton.
Describe joint types, structures, and actions
Describe anatomy and function of muscle tissue.
Identify major muscles and their actions.
Identify exercises to strengthen and/or stretch specific muscles or muscle groups.
Describe concepts of conditioning and injury prevention.
Understand aspects of basic nutritional wellness and nutrition for dancers/athletes.
Understand the basics of Bartenieff Fundamentals through the patterns of total body
organization which include: 1) breath, 2) core-distal connectivity, 3) head-tail
connectivity, 4) upper-lower connectivity, 5) body-half connectivity, 6) cross-lateral
connectivity.
RECOMMENDED TEXTS
Calais-Germain; Anatomy of Movement
Franklin, Eric; Dynamic Alignment through Imagery
Student Disability Services Statement:
Student Disability Services extends reasonable and appropriate accommodations that take
into account the context of the course and its essential elements for individuals with
qualifying disabilities. Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Student
Disability Services Office at (925) 631-4358 or sds@stmarys-ca.edu to arrange a
confidential appointment to discuss accommodation guidelines and available services.
Additional information regarding the services available may be found at the following
address on the Saint Mary’s website: http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/sds
Honor Code Statement:
Saint Mary’s College expects every member of its community to abide by the Academic
Honor Code. According to the Code, “Academic dishonesty is a serious violation of
College policy because, among other things, it undermines the bonds of trust and honesty
between members of the community.” Violations of the Code include but are not limited
to acts plagiarism. For more information, please consult the Student
Handbook at www.stmarys-ca.edu/your-safety-resources/student-handbook [for
traditional undergraduate students] or http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/graduate-professionalacademics/graduate-and-professional-student-handbook[for graduate and professional
students].