Hagerstown Community College
OFFICIAL COURSE SYLLABUS DOCUMENT
COURSE: DNC Dance Appreciation
3 Credits
INSTRUCTOR: Alyssa J. Foley
SEMESTER/YEAR: Fall 2012
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to be an overview of world dance including: a
survey of differing dance techniques, a look at their individual histories and training methods, an
introduction to relevant dancers and choreographers, a discussion of particular aspects of spirituality,
and a study of artistic and aesthetic expression through dance. Total of 45 hours of lecture.
TEXTBOOK: The Dance Experience, Edited by Myron Howard Nadel & Marc Raymond Strauss
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1. Students will be able to identify, analyze, compare, and contrast different dance styles from
various cultures through their understanding of the techniques involved in each form.
2. Students will be able to critically view dance performances and express opinions and
conclusions both verbally and through written communications.
3. Students will have a basic understanding of dance history and knowledge of the relationship
between dance and society.
4. Students will further develop and refine critical research skills both on-line and in a library
setting.
5. Students will come to understand dance as a way of communicating.
6. Students will come to understand dance as a way to maintain healthy living.
Total Hours of Coursework:
To earn one academic credit at HCC, students are required to complete a minimum of 37.5clock
hours (45 fifty-minute “academic” hours) of coursework per semester. Those hours of coursework
may be completed through a combination of hours within the classroom and hours outside the
classroom. Certain courses may require more than the 37.5 minimum hours of coursework per credit.
For most classes, students should expect to do at least 2 hours of coursework outside of class for
each hour of in-class coursework per week. For a three credit class this is six hours of outside
coursework per week.
COURSE CONTENT OBJECTIVES:
1. To provide students with an introduction to the art and history of world and western dance.
2. To examine the relationship between dance and society.
3. To expose students to a wide variety of dance from different cultures, genres, and societies
through both movement based workshops in class, live performances, and video sources.
4. To help students become familiar with important dances, dancers, and choreographers.
5. To provide students with the resources to further their dance education.
6. To facilitate discussion on dance as a way of communication.
ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES:
20% from attendance, participation, and in class assignments.
30% from written critique of a live dance performance.
20% from 5-10 minute research presentation on a relevant dancer or choreographer.
20% from group project comparing and contrasting two dance styles.
COURSE POLICIES:
Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend all classes. If the student is not in class or is late,
he or she cannot do the work, gain the instruction presented in the class, or fully participate in the
class discussion for group work. The student is accountable for what information and work is covered
or assigned while absent.
In case of absence due to emergency (illness, death in the family, accident), or participation in official
College functions, it is the student’s responsibility to confer with the instructor about the absence and
missed course work. Further, it is the student’s responsibility to withdraw officially from the class of
which he/she ceases to attend. Failure to do so may result in the recording of an “F” grade.
Students who have a previous injury or special condition that may hinder their performance must
inform the instructor so they are aware of possible limitations.
Honor Code: Upon admission to HCC all students have signed a pledge to uphold the honor system,
attesting to their acceptance of responsibility for maintaining the College’s academic integrity. The
Hagerstown Community College Honor Code Policy and Procedures are clearly outlined in the
Student Handbook.
TOPICAL OUTLINE:
Week 1, Lesson 1: Introduction, Syllabus, Class Policies, Group Activity: What is Dance?, Creating
a World View of Dance.
*Read Nadel, pgs. 287-296.
Week 1, Lesson 2: Using language to discuss dance. Evaluation, Description (“Pick Yourself Up”
video), Interpretation (“Fancy Free” video), Contextualization (“Night Journey” video).
*Read Nadel, pgs. 271-286
Week 2, Lesson 1: Elements of Dance, Music & Theatre
*Read Nadel, pgs. 11-15
Week 2, Lesson 2: Origins of Western Dance
*Read Nadel, pgs. 17-27
Week 3, Lesson 1: African Dance (+Art Project)
Week 3, Lesson 2: African Dance Workshop
Week 4: Students Presentations on Dancers & Choreographers
*Read Nadel, pgs. 99-111
Week 5, Lesson 1: Ballet Beginnings (5 Ballet Positions Puzzles)
*Read Nadel, pgs. 81-97
Week 5, Lesson 2: Jazz, Musical Theatre, & Tap Dance
*Read Nadel, pgs. 29-37 & 55-80
Week 6, Lesson 1: Folk & Social Dances
Week 6, Lesson 2: Social Dance Workshop
*Read Nadel, pgs. 39-52
Week 7, Lesson 1: Japanese Dance Theatre
Week 7, Lesson 2: Mask Making
*Read Nadel, pgs. 113-135
Week 8, Lesson 1: Contemporary Dance (So You Think You Can Dance Activity)
*Read Nadel, pgs. 137-145
Week 8, Lesson 2: Response Paper Due, Dance and Spirituality
*Read Nadel, pgs. 159-172
Week 9, Lesson 1: Dance and Gender
*Read Nadel, pgs. 149-158
Week 9, Lesson 2: Dance for the Camera (In-Class Group Video Dance Project)
*Read Nadel, pgs. 205-216
Week 10, Lesson 1: The Role of the Dancer & Choreographer & Dance (Elements of repetition,
form, style, etc.)
*Read Nadel, pgs. 185-203
Week 10, Lesson 2: Technique & Terminology
Week 11: Group Research Time
Week 12: Group Research Time
Week 13: Group Presentations
*Read Nadel, pgs. 255-270
Week 14, Lesson 1: Enhancing the Dance- Lighting (Guest Speaker)
*Read Nadel, pgs. 239-254
Week 14, Lesson 2: Enhancing the Dance- Costuming (Guest Speaker)
*Read Nadel, pgs. 173-183
Week 15, Lesson 1: Dance & Physical Education (A Failed Marriage)
Week 15, Lesson 2: Critiques Due, Class Discussion of Performances
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Alyssa J. Foley
(240) 500-2511 Office
(502) 345-0469 Cell
ajfoley@hagerstowncc.edu