Pasadena City College/School of Visual, Media & Performing
Arts/Dance Department
Dance 21A, Dance History: Cultural and Social Heritage
CRN: 73787, 3 credits - Fall 2015 MW 2:00-3:35pm, W206
Instructor: Cheryl Banks-Smith, Associate Professor
Office: W 105G (on the first floor in the W Building); Phone: (626) 585-3301;
e-mail: cabanks-smith@pasadena.edu
Office Hours: M 12:30-1:30pm and 3:30-4:30pm
T 4:45-5:45pm
W 12:30-1:30pm and 3:30-4:30pm
Th 4:30-5:00pm
Papers and other written communication may also be delivered to my mailbox in
the Center for the Arts Building, room CA 102.
Required Text: The Dance Experience: Insights Into History, Culture and
Creativity, 3rd ed., Edited by Myron Howard Nadel and Marc Raymond Strauss
Course Description:
This course is designed to provide a greater understanding of the historical and
cultural developments of dance, including analysis of styles, forms and roles of
dance in diverse cultures, from earliest rituals to contemporary forms. We will
explore World ethnic and folk dance traditions, and the development of Western
dance forms from the roots of classical ballet, to Modern, jazz and other current
contemporary dance traditions. Since dance is such a visual art form, we will
devote time during each class for viewing dance videotapes, DVD’s, and current
internet resources.
Student Learning Outcomes
 Students will be able to recognize and identify forms and styles of dance
by period and culture.
 Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the relationship of
dance forms, styles and genres, to human history and experience, such
as, related to myth, religion, folklore, geographic location, social and
cultural values and aesthetics.
 Students will be able to articulate knowledge of the function of dance in
diverse cultures and societies.
 Students will be able to cultivate an increased appreciation for and an
understanding of the elements of dance and dance artistry, including ways
of observing dance, interpreting, discussing and experiencing dance in the
context of a multi-cultural perspective.
 Students will be able to describe the relationship of dance to folk art,
music, costume, instruments and other cultural accessories.

Students will be able to identify and demonstrate an understanding of the
roots of contemporary dance forms, both social (vernacular) and artistic
(concert) dance as a fusion of world, cultural and ethnic traditions and
influences.
Course Objectives
 Recognize and identify forms and styles of dance with cultural and
historical awareness, including having sensitivity to the diversity of cultural
forms and aesthetics expressed in all dance traditions.
 Demonstrate knowledge of the relationship of dance forms to human
history and experience, such as, related to myth, religion, folklore,
geographic location, social and cultural values and aesthetics.
 Articulate knowledge of the function of dance in diverse cultures and
societies.
 Describe the relationship of dance to various forms of folk art, rituals,
music, costumes, instruments and other cultural accessories.
 Cultivate an increased appreciation for, and an understanding of the
elements of dance and dance artistry, including ways of observing dance,
interpreting, discussing and experiencing dance cross-culturally.
 Demonstrate an understanding of the roots and complexity of
contemporary dance as an art form, from the multiple perspectives of
world cultural, social and ethnic traditions and influences that continue to
evolve the practice and artistic expression of dance.
Requirements and Classroom Policies
Your primary requirement is to attend each class session, be punctual and
to participate fully. This includes being responsible for all reading and writing
assignments, an active contributor to class discussions, and viewing the films
and media clips “proactively” which means with attention and the ability to
analyze and to think critically about what you have seen. By participating fully
and being prepared for class, both students and instructor will collaborate
together to create a supportive and stimulating learning environment.
Attendance Policy: Your attendance is recorded at every class and with each
absence points are deducted. You are allowed 2 excused absences and after
the 3rd absence, this can effect lowering your final grade by a whole letter grade.
Therefore, I encourage you to attend class regularly. If you are ill or have some
emergency circumstances requiring you to miss class, please inform me by email
as soon as possible. You are still responsible for all written assignments and for
materials covered in class. Three tardies (arriving late) to class equals one
absence.
Remember that it is a student’s responsibility to officially enroll in the class
if you are added and to drop the class before the required drop date if you
stop attending class, or you will fail the class. See important dates to be
aware of in this syllabus.
Please remember to Silence all cell phones and other electronic devices in
class, and no text messaging during class.
Assignments and Exams
 Required scheduled reading assignments from the course textbook.
Additional outside reading of articles and on line materials may be
presented throughout the semester.
 Four short Response Papers and write-ups (1-2 type written pages) on
various topics presented by instructor including observations on film, video
and internet selections, a dance technique observation, a web search and
or other assigned essays.
 Quiz #1 given during Week 4; Midterm Exam during week 8; Quiz #2
given in week 12; Final Exam (scheduled Wednesday, December 16,
2015 from 1:00-3:00pm).
 Concert Critique/Reaction Paper – Each student is required to attend one
“live” professional dance concert during the semester, and may include
various world and ethnic forms of dance as well as contemporary concert
dance in Modern, Ballet, Jazz, etc. The Critique should be typewritten, a
minimum of 2-3 pages in length (double-spaced, 12 font) and should
include a discussion on the dance and dancer’s elements,
choreographer’s concepts and design, production elements (costumes,
lighting, set design, music, text) and some personal observations
reflecting on what worked for you, or moved you and why? A detailed
concert critique guidelines sheet will be distributed later in the semester.
For ideas on possible dance performances check online websites for the
Music Center of Los Angeles (Dorothy Chandler Pavillion Theatre),
RedCat Performance Center (Walt Disney/CalArts black box performance
space), the Luckman Performing Arts Center (Cal State L.A. campus), The
Broad Stage (Santa Monica College campus), Irvine Barclay Theatre (UC
Irvine campus), Alex Theatre (Glendale) and others. Instructor may
suggest performances of interest.
 PCC Dance Department Fall Dance Concert – In order to support the
student performers and choreographers from the Dance Department you
are expected to attend the Fall Dance Concert on one of its 3
performances: Friday, Dec. 4th, 2015 @ 8:00pm, Saturday, Dec. 5th, 2015
at 2:00pm and 8:00pm in Sexson Auditorium. Attendance will be checked.
You are also required to write a short 1- page summary of the concert.
Extra Credit: 5 pts.- Enroll in a PCC dance technique class. If already
enrolled, inform me of which course and provide proof of enrollment.
Evaluation and Grading
Attendance/Class Participation
Quizzes
80 points (30 class meetings)
50 points (25 pts. Per quiz)
Midterm Exam
Response Papers
Concert Critique
PCC Fall Dance Concert/Summary
Final Exam
Total Points
50 points
40 points (10 pts. Each paper)
20 points
10 points
50 points
300 points
Grading Scale
300-260 pts. = A
259-230 pts. = B
229-200 pts. = C
199-160 pts. = D
159 and below = F
Academic Honesty: The term plagiarism comes from the Latin word
plagiarius, which means “kidnapper” and is defined as the act of using
someone else’s ideas, words or organization without giving them due credit.
Any student caught plagiarizing material will be prosecuted to the full extent of
the College’s guidelines as stated in the Student Handbook. This
dishonesty has serious consequences so please do not do it!
Important Dates
Monday, September 7, 2015 – Labor Day – Campus Closed
Monday, September 14, 2015 – Last Day to Drop/Receive Refund Online
Tuesday, September 15, 2015 – Last Day to Drop/Without “W”
Thursday, October 1, 2015 – Faculty Professional Development Day
(Flex Day) No Classes for Students
Monday, October 19-Suday October 25, 2015 – Midterm Exams
Wednesday, November 11, 2015 – Veteran’s Day – Campus Closed
Friday, November 20, 2015 – Last Day to Drop with “W” Online, Note: If still
on the roster after 11/20 and not attending, will result in a grade of Fail.
Thursday, November 26-29, 2015 – Thanksgiving Break – Campus Closed
Friday, December 4th @ 8:00pm and Saturday, December 5th @ 2:00pm and
8:00pm – PCC Fall Dance Concert in Sexson Auditorium
Wednesday, December 16, 2015 – Final Exam: 1:00-3:00pm
Reading and Written Assignment Schedule
Week 1 Preface (pgs. IX-X); Introduction, “The Dance Experience in 21st
Century” (pgs. 1-4); Chapter 1, “Dance in Ancient Greece” (pgs. 7-13); article
PDF “Five Primises for a Culturally Sensitive Approach to Dance”, Deidra
Sklar; Begin Chapter 2, “A Concise History of Ballet” (pgs. 14-27)
Week 2 Continue Chapter 2 (pgs. 14-27); Chapter 8, “From a World Dance
Perspective” (pgs. 111-113); Begin Chapter 9 “ Dance and Cultural Meaning:
An Introduction to the Anthropology of Dance” (pgs. 116-128); Response
Paper #1 Due on Wednesday.
Week 3 Continue Chapter 9 (pgs. 116-128); Chapter 10, “African Dance”
(pgs. 129-139).
Week 4 Continue Chapter 10 (Pgs. 116-128); independent article given by
instructor; Quiz #1 on Wednesday of this week.
Week 5 Chapter 11, “Piercing the Mask of Japanese Dance (pgs. 141-157);
Week 6 Chapter 13,”Folk Dance: Father Music, Mother Dance” (pgs. 184192); Dance Heritage Coalition site, 113 Treasures “Native American Dance”
intro and article by Jacqueline Shea Murphy. Response Paper #2 Due on
Wednesday.
Week 7 Chapter 3, “Modern and Contemporary Dance “ (pgs. 28-47)
Week 8 Continue Chapter 3 (pgs. 28-47); Review. Midterm Exam
Wednesday of this week.
Week 9 Chapter 4 “Jazz and Tap” (pgs. 49-66)
Week 10 Chapter 12 “ Social Dance: A Portrait of People at Play” (pgs. 158183); Response Paper #3 Due on Wednesday.
Week 11 Continue Chapter 12 (pgs. 158-183); Chapter 5 “Dance on Screen”
(pgs. 67-76).
Week 12 Continue Chapter 5 (pgs. 67-76); Quiz # 2 on Wednesday of this
week.
Week 13 Chapter 6 “Dance in American Colleges and Universities” (pgs. 7795); Reaction Paper #4 Due this week not later than Wednesday.
Thanksgiving Break
Week 14 Chapter 15 “Choreography: Separating the Dancer from the Dance”
(pgs. 211-221); PCC Fall Dance Concert in Sexson Auditorium 12/4-5,
2015.
Week 15 Conclusion, “Critiquing Dance” (pgs. 275-286). PCC Dance
Concert Summary Due on Monday of this week. Revew for Final Exam.
Final Exam 12/16/2015 @ 1-3pm
As you can see the reading chapters do not follow in a chronological order
due to the reorganization of this 3rd edition of the text and the focus of this
course, Dance 21A: Cultural and Social Heritage, on World and Ethnic dance
forms as well as Western concert dance. There may be some overlap of
materials and chapters presented in Dance 21B: Spectacle and Performance
Art. However the later course concentrates more on the history of American
Modern and Contemporary dance traditions.