University of Texas at Dallas - Spring 2006

Beginning Modern Dance

DANC 2331.001

Instructor: Michele Manley Hanlon

Office: Jo 4.906
Phone #: 972. 883-2083
e-mail: mhanlon@utdallas.edu
Class Time: 12:30 - 1:45 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday
Office Hours: 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday and by arrangement

DANC 2331 is a beginning modern dance technique class designed for those having zero to very
little modern dance experience. We will start from basic concepts of postural alignment, and build
to the development of modern dance technique. For this class you will need dance wear:
Women - leotard, tights, sweat pants (optional)
Men - Tee shirt, sweat pants
Hair must be kept out of eyes and face - tied back if shoulder length or
longer.
Participation: The nature of this course requires that a student be present in order to master the
material and grow in the subject area. Basic attendance is expected and will be part of but not all
of the participation grade. Students will also be evaluated according to the quality of their
involvement in the class work demonstrated through individual comprehension and improvement,
as well as mastery of skills. This portion of the daily grade is referred to as ‘effort’.

Evaluation:
Student evaluation is based on the following. Participation in class - student should demonstrate
growth in modern dance technique through daily class work and successful completion of in-class
assignments and projects. Written work - includes critique and final self-evaluation. Technique
and terminology exams will be given throughout the semester as needed.
90 - 100% A
89 - 80% B
79 - 70% C
60 - 60% D
Below 60% F
Daily Evaluation:
Class Participation
Attendance 1.5 point
Effort 1.5 point
Tardy 1 point subtracted
Observe 2 points total
Absent 0 points
Course Evaluation:
Attendance/Participation 55%
Live Performance Critique 15%
Final Self-Evaluation 15%
Technique & Vocabulary Quizzes 15%
Attendance Policy:
Class attendance is vital to your success in this course. Unexcused absences during the term will
result in a 3 point reduction of your participation grade per absence. PLEASE NOTIFY ME ON
THE DAY YOU ARE ABSENT ( or before) IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND CLASS. An excused
absence is due to illness, medical emergency, accident, et. - with advanced notification when
possible. A total of three absences excused by the instructor can be made up by attending other
on campus DANCE courses.
After the first two, late arrivals to class will result in a 1 point reduction of your participation
grade per tardy. 3 minutes late will result in a reduction of the daily evaluation score.
Live Performance Critique: due Thursday March 16
Write a two page critique of one dance work from “Pilobolus Too.” This dance concert is free to
UTD students with I.D. and will be held at University Theater on March 3 & 4. Attendance of
this performance is required. Critique will be accepted before the due date but will not be
accepted late.
Critique must contain a general description of the first and final dance on the program as well as a
detailed critique of one additional dance (you may critique the first or last dance) of your choice.
Hand in a ticket stub and program with each critique.
The following points must be addressed within the critique:
1. THEME. What is the theme of the dance (hint - all dances are ‘about’ something even if they
don’t portray a narrative). Use examples from the dance to support your conclusion.
2. SPACE. Discuss the choreographer’s use of the stage space (including any set pieces). How
was the space used? Did this use support the theme of the dance? Why? Support your conclusion
with examples from the dance.
3. QUALITY. Were the dancers well rehearsed and technically able to handle the choreography?
Was the choreography successful? How could you tell? Use specific examples to make your
point.
4. DESIGN. Did the costuming and lighting design contribute positively to the dance? Why or
why not? Describe using specifics drawn from the dance.

Self evaluation: due April 20

Final Self Evaluation guidelines:
Use the following questions as a guideline in writing your self-evaluation essay. Please address
all of the points listed below. You may include additional information that you feel is pertinent.
Be sure to write your self evaluation in essay form. There is no length requirement - just be
complete!
1. In what ways has your physical understanding of alignment changed?
2. How has your technique improved through your work this semester? What areas of technique
do you feel that you have mastered and how can you tell?
3. Do you feel that you have grown as a performer of dance? Describe.
4. In what ways has viewing live dance performance(s) increased your understanding of modern
dance?
5. Do you feel that you have been receptive to new movement ideas and concepts? How have
these altered (or not) your perspective on modern dance?
6. Based on your all of your experience with modern dance (this class and any outside
experience) how would you define modern dance? (This portion of your essay should be no less
than three paragraphs long).
7. Finally, based on your work in this dance class, give yourself a percentage grade of between
60% and 100% in each of the following areas:
Overall class participation.
Modern dance technique.

Class Decorum: (A component of student’s daily grade - effort area)

In order to create the appropriate environment for this dance technique class, students are asked to
exercise the following requests.
1. Dress appropriately in dance wear as described in this syllabus for each session unless the
instructor recommends otherwise.
2. Do not talk to classmates when the instructor is speaking or requires your attention.
3. Do not chew gum.
4. Food and drinks other than water must not be brought into the dance studio or the theater.
5. Cell phones must remain off during class time (11 - 12:15).
6. Do not wear necklaces and large rings or earrings during dance technique class.
7. Respect the space of other students by being aware of your own use of space.
8. Notify the instructor of any ailments - physical or otherwise - that may negatively effect your
ability to participate in a given technique class before the start of class.
9. Observe the tradition of applause at the completion of each technique class - this tradition
honors the hard work and participation of all those involved.

Course Expectations:
The student is expected to demonstrate a focused mental and physical application of the course
material. The student is expected to take responsibility for his/her own growth through watching,
listening, participating, processing, and clarifying within each class.

Course Calendar:
Last day to withdraw January 25 (without a “W”)
Final day of our class April 20
Final exam April 27, 11:00 a.m.

I will send all electronic correspondence only to a student’s UTD email address and require
that all official electronic correspondence between a student and me be transmitted from the
students’ UTD email account. UT Dallas furnishes each student a FREE Network ID (netid)
linked to an email account. To activate or maintain a UTD computer account and/or to set email
forwarding options, go to http://netid.utdallas.edu. NOTE: The UTD Department of
Information Resources provides a method for students to forward their UTD email to other
personal or business email accounts.

Academic Dishonesty of any kind will be handled according to university policies. The
following information regarding university policies is from the 2004 online undergraduate
catalog. Please refer directly to the catalog for more information.

Appendix I
Rules, Regulations, and Statutory Requirements

A. Student Conduct and Discipline

The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at Dallas have rules and regulations
for the orderly and efficient conduct of their business. It is the responsibility of each student and
each student organization to be knowledgeable about the rules and regulations which govern
student conduct and activities. General information on student conduct and discipline is contained
in the U.T. Dallas publication, A to Z Guide, which is provided to all registered students each
academic year.
The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the procedures of
recognized and established due process. Procedures are defined and described in the Rules and
Regulations, Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Part 1, Chapter VI, Section 3
and in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities of the university’s Handbook of
Operating Procedures. Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office
of the Dean of Students where staff are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and
regulations (SU 1.602, 972/883-6391).
A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the responsibilities of citizenship.
He or she is expected to obey federal, state, and local laws as well as the Regents’ Rules,
university regulations, and administrative rules. Students are subject to discipline for violating its
standards of conduct whether such conduct takes place on or off campus or whether civil or
criminal penalties are also imposed for such conduct.

1.Academic Dishonesty. The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and
academic honesty. Because the value of an academic degree depends upon the absolute integrity
of the work done by the student for that degree, it is imperative that a student demonstrate a high
standard of individual honor in his or her scholastic work.
Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts or omissions related to
applications for enrollment or the award of a degree, and/or the submission as one’s own work of
material that is not one’s own. As a general rule, scholastic dishonesty involves one of the
following acts: cheating, plagiarism, collusion and/or falsifying academic records. Students
suspected of academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary proceedings

B. Academic Appeals

1.Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on Student Services and
Activities, of the university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures. In attempting to resolve any
student grievance regarding grades, evaluations, or other fulfillments of academic responsibility,
it is the obligation of the student first to make a serious effort to resolve the matter with the
instructor, supervisor, administrator, or committee with whom the grievance originated (hereafter
called “the respondent.”) Individual faculty members retain primary responsibility for assigning
grades and evaluations. If the matter cannot be resolved at that level, the grievance must be
submitted in writing to the respondent with a copy to the respondent’s school dean. If the matter
is not resolved by the written response provided by the respondent, the student may submit a
written appeal to the school dean. If the grievance is not resolved by the school dean’s decision,
the student may make a written appeal to the dean of graduate or undergraduate studies, who will
appoint and convene an Academic Appeals Panel. The decision of the Academic Appeals Panel is
final. The results of the academic appeals process will be distributed to all involved parties.
2.Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of
Students where staff is available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations.

Religious Holidays:
The University of Texas at Dallas will excuse a student from class or other required activities for
the travel to and observance of a religious holy day for a religion whose places of worship are
exempt from property tax under Section 11.20, Tax Code, Texas Code Annotated.
The student is encouraged to notify the instructor or activity sponsor as soon as possible
regarding the absence, preferably in advance of the assignment.
The student, so excused, will be allowed to take the exam or complete the assignment within a
reasonable time after the absence: a period equal to the length of the absence, up to a maximum
of one week. A student who notifies the instructor and completes any missed exam or assignment
may not be penalized for the absence. A student who fails to complete the exam or assignment
within the prescribed period may receive a failing grade for that exam or assignment.
If a student or an instructor disagrees about the nature of the absence [i.e., for the purpose of
observing a religious holy day] or if there is similar disagreement about whether the student has
been given a reasonable time to complete any missed assignments or examinations, either the
student or the instructor may request a ruling from the chief executive officer of the institution, or
his or her designee. The chief executive officer or designee must take into account the legislative
intent of TEC 51.911(b), and the student and instructor will abide by the decision of the chief
executive officer or designee.

Disability Services:
Disability Services provides accommodations for students with documented disabilities. Students
are urged to make their needs known to Disability Services as soon as they are admitted to the
university. The Office of Disability Services is located in the Student Union (SU 1.610), (972)
883 2070.