Course Syllabus

Course Information
DANC 2332.001 Beginning Modern Dance
Fall 2010
JO 1.216 Monday & Wednesday, 11:30a.m. – 12:45p.m.

Professor Contact Information

Michele Hanlon
Phone: 972.883.2140
Email: mhanlon@utdallas.edu
Office: JO 5.207
Office Hours: Wednesdays 1:00pm – 2:00pm, or by appointment

Course Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, and/or Other Restrictions

Course Description
DANC 2332 is a modern dance technique class designed for students with little or no background in dance.
The semester will begin with basic concepts of postural alignment and conditioning, and then build to the
development of modern dance technique including basic exercises and combinations. Students are required
to dress for technique class:
Women – leotard, tights, sweat pants (optional)
Men – Tee shirt, sweat pants, (men‟s leotard and tights with dance belt optional)
Hair must be kept out of eyes and face – tied back if shoulder length or longer.

Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes

DANC 2332.001 Beginning Modern Dance

● Students will be able to both execute physically and describe orally the basic movement vocabulary of
beginning modern dance.

● Students will be able to analyze live performances from specific criteria given to them in class.

● Students will compare and recognize variables within the art form after exposure to various styles and
techniques of modern through classroom participation, video viewing, and live performance attendance.

● Students should value the art form, discipline, and dedication needed to excel in dance by participating in
the structure of technique, recognize its demands on the physical body, and the experience of the execution
of a complete movement phrase.

Required Textbooks and Materials

Students are required to dress appropriately as defined above under “General Class Etiquette and Attire”.
Assignments & Academic Calendar
8/23 Review Syllabus/ view video
9/15 Video viewing and analysis
10/6 Stretch/ tennis ball release class (bring a tennis ball to class with you)
10/27 Video viewing day
10/29 & 30 UTD Dance Ensemble presents Jazz Soiree at University Theater – attendance required
11/10 Live performance analysis due
11/29 Review for skills and vocabulary exam
12/1 Skills and vocabulary exam
12/6 Self-evaluation due/ Last day of classees

Modern dance technique classes except as indicated above.

Grading Policy
Student evaluation is based on the following:
● Participation grade is based on student participation in the class. Students will be evaluated according to
the quality of their involvement in the class work as demonstrated through individual comprehension and
improvement: learning material given, mastery of skills, effort, preparedness for class (including proper
attire), and personal growth. You cannot participate if you are absent. Each absence will result in a loss of
participation points and a loss of attendance points. Each class has a value of 3 participation points awarded
daily for attending class and fulfilling the preceding requirements. Points will be deducted if any of these
requirements are unfulfilled.
● Written work – includes video analysis, live performance analysis, self-evaluation, skills and vocabulary
quizzes/exams.

98 – 100 A+
93 – 97 A
90 – 92 A-
88 – 89 B+
83 – 87 B
80 – 82 B-
78 – 79 C+
73 – 77 C
70 – 72 C-
68 – 69 D+
63 – 67 D
60 – 62 D-
Below 60 F

Participation 40
Attendance 15
Video analysis 10
Live Performance analysis ** 15
Self-Evaluation 10
Skills and vocabulary 10

** Jazz Soiree is a mandatory attendance event and students are encouraged to make it the topic of the live
performance analysis. It will be held in the University Theater on October 29 & 30 at 8:00pm. Attendance
is required on only one of these two performance dates.

Course and Instructor Policies

Attendance is mandatory. You will be given 1 absence without penalty; any additional absence(s)
(excused or unexcused) will be .5 points off the 15-point attendance grade for each class missed. If you
arrive after roll has been taken it is your responsibility to remind the instructor that you attended class.
Failure to do so could result in an absence recorded and applied for that day. After one tardy, you will be
considered late if you arrive after roll has begun taken and you will receive a .25-point deduction from your
attendance points. You may not physically participate without the instructor‟s permission if you arrive
more than fifteen minutes after the class has begun (which may affect your participation grade). Excused
absences may be made up, please speak to the instructor for various options. A total of 4 excused absences
may be made up with the instructor‟s approval. Students making up absences in other approved dance
classes must turn in documentation that is dated and signed by the instructor teaching the class. If you
observe the make-up class instead of physically participating, you must write a one-page paper that
includes a description of the class, personal observations, and a comparison of your class and the makeup
class. All classes must be made up before the last two weeks of the semester. Excused absences require
documentation.

Performance Analysis: You are required to see a live dance production, write an analysis and submit it
with a ticket and program attached. The performance must be a dance concert approved by the instructor.
The analysis is due no later than May 6. The Live performance analysis must include an in-depth
examination of one dance work from the program you attended using the analysis format learned in class. If
you do not choose the first or last piece on the program for your analysis, you must also include a brief
summary for those pieces. You must include both the opening and closing works as either a summary or
complete analysis. 3 points will be deducted for the omission of each.
Attendance at the UTD spring dance concert „Jazz Soiree‟ is required. Please use this concert for the live
performance analysis. If student writes about a different concert „Jazz Soiree‟ program and ticket must be
submitted to instructor to verify attendance at this required concert.

Skills and Vocabulary: You will be expected to know the definition and how to execute specific
movements learned/used in class. You may be tested verbally, physically, and on paper. This grade
includes your daily application of movement, and quizzes or exams.
Extra Credit: Extra credit may be received by attending additional dance performances. You may receive
2 points by just turning in a ticket and program or 4 if accompanied by a critique. The credit will be added
to the final total of points accrued for the course at the end of the semester. Students may complete no more
than two extra credit assignments - accepted up to December 6. Jazz Soiree will not count as extra credit.

General Class Etiquette and Attire

Minimum jewelry.
Hair up and away from face.
No chewing gum or food in studio.
Closed liquid containers (water only).
No sitting down during class.
No talking while dancing or during demonstrations of exercises.
You are required to wear specific dance attire:
Women: leotards or dance top, tights or dance pants, sweat pants (optional)dance warm ups, sweaters,
and solid color sweat shirts (when it is cold) are allowed.
Men: sweat pants, solid color t-shirts or sweat shirts, You may wear men‟s leotards and tights with a
dance belt if you choose.
Cell phones must be turned off and remain off during class time (11:30 – 12:45)
Respect the space of other students by being aware of your own use of space.
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.
Points may be deducted from your daily participation grade for inappropriate attire or etiquette.

Course Expectations:
Student will demonstrate a focused mental and physical application of the course material.
Student will take responsibility for his/her own growth through watching, listening, participating,
processing, and clarifying during each class session.

Video Viewing days: 9/15 & 10/27

VIDEO DANCE ANALYSIS: In class Wednesday, September 15.

Analysis format will be introduced in class.
 LIVE PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS: Due no later than November 10.
Use the analysis format introduced during the video analysis on 9/15.

Important Dates:
Last day to drop without a “W” Fri., Sept. 3
Labor Day holiday Mon., Sept. 6
WP/WF begins Thurs., Sept. 16
WP/WF ends Mon., Oct 25
Jazz Soiree – University Theater Fri. October 20 & Sat. Oct30 @ 8:00pm
Thanksgiving Holiday Thurs., Nov. 25 – Sat., Nov. 27
Last day of classes Mon., Dec. 6
Final Exam Mon. Dec. 13, 11:00am

FINAL SELF-EVALUATION: Due Monday, December 6

Final Self-evaluation guidelines:
Use the following questions as a guide in writing your self-evaluation essay. Please address all of the
points listed below. You may add additional information that you feel is pertinent. Be sure to write
your self-evaluation in essay form. There is no length requirement – just an expectation that you will
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 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 all of your experience with modern dance (this class as well as any outside
experience) how would you define modern dance? (this portion of your essay should be
at least 2 paragraphs long).
7. Finally, based on your work this semester in this dance class, give yourself a (%) grade
between 60% and 100% in EACH of the following areas: Overall Class Participation &
Modern Dance Technique

Technical Support
If you experience any problems with your UTD account you may send an email to:
assist@utdallas.edu or call the UTD Computer Helpdesk at 972-883-2911.

Field Trip Policies

Off-campus Instruction and Course Activities

There are no scheduled group field trips for this class. Students are responsible for all performance tickets,
and transportation.

Email Use
 The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and efficiency of communication between
faculty/staff and students through electronic mail. At the same time, email raises some issues
concerning security and the identity of each individual in an email exchange. The university
encourages all official student email correspondence be sent only to a student‟s U.T. Dallas email
address and that faculty and staff consider email from students official only if it originates from a
UTD student account. This allows the university to maintain a high degree of confidence in the
identity of all individual corresponding and the security of the transmitted information. UTD
furnishes each student with a free email account that is to be used in all communication with
university personnel. The Department of Information Resources at U.T. Dallas provides a method
for students to have their U.T. Dallas mail forwarded to other accounts.

Off-campus, out-of-state, and foreign instruction and activities are subject to state law and
University policies and procedures regarding travel and risk-related activities. Information
regarding these rules and regulations may be found at the website address
http://www.utdallas.edu/BusinessAffairs/Travel_Risk_Activities.htm. Additional information is
available from the office of the school dean. Below is a description of any travel and/or risk-
related activity associated with this course.

University Policies
Please review important university policies at the following address: http://go.utdallas.edu/syllabus-policies

These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the Professor.