Louisiana State University

School of Theatre

Beginner Ballet
Course Number: THTR 1131, Spring 2016
T/TH 12 PM – 1:20 PM
Location: Music and Dramatic Arts Building Room 123 A
Instructor: Professor Sandra Parks
Office: Music and Dramatic Arts Building Room 315
Office Hours: M/W 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM or by appointment
E- Mail: sparks07@lsu.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is an introductory level ballet technique class. The course is appropriate for
students who have no or little previous experience in ballet. May be taken twice for credit.
3 hours lab.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• To develop a basic understanding of Classical Ballet

• To develop the ability to embody Classical Ballet
• To develop the appreciation of all dance styles as ways of communications
• To develop body awareness and correct body alignment
• To develop the necessary skills to perform Classical Ballet

COURSE OUTLINES:

1. Students will work on the body alignments, strengthening their muscles and
increasing flexibility to gain understanding of the technique.

2. Students will be evaluated three times during the course of study to assure the
progress technically and artistically.

3. Students are required to attend a off campus dance concert (See the list at the
end of the syllabus) and LSU dance concert (4/23/2016 at 2 pm or 7:30 pm)
during the semester

4. Students will submit a written self-evaluation that reflect on these following

questions at the end of the semester: (The paper must follow MLA format and
at least 3 pages)

⇒ Why did you choose to take this course and what were the self-
expectations for this class?
⇒ Did you achieve your own expectations? How?

** This Syllabus is subject to change at the instructor’s discretion ** 1

 ⇒ What did you learn in the class about yourself and the techniques?
⇒ How do you think this class helped you in your dance in general?
⇒ What parts of class do you think you did well?
⇒ What were your struggles for this half of the semester? How did you
overcome these struggles?

COURSE SCHEDULE:

Course Date/Week Course Content

Week 1 - Course Syllabus/Course expectations

- Introduce body alignment
- Introduce Ballet Barre movements: Plié, Relevé, Tendu, Dégagé
- Introduce positions of the feet and arms
Week 2 - Review Week 1
- Introduce Ballet Barre movements: Rond de jambe, Grand Battement
- Introduce Center movements: Port de Bras, Balancé
Week 3 Review Week 1-2
- Introduce Ballet Barre movements: Coupé, Retiré Passé, Piqué, Sous-
sus
- Introduce Center movements: Sauté
Week 4 Review Week 1 – 3
- Introduce directions of the body
-- Introduce Center movements: Chassé, Glissade
Week 5 Review Week 1-4/Evaluation I
Week 6 Review Week 1-5
- Introduce Ballet Barre movements: Frappé, Fondu, Tombé
- Introduce Center movements: Pas de bourrée, balance on two legs
Week 7 Review Week 1-6
- Introduce Ballet Barre movements: Cambré, Développé
- Introduce Center movements: Échappé
Week 8 Review Week 1-7
- Introduce Ballet Barre movements: Temps lié
- Introduce movements: Assemblé, Changement
Week 9 Review Week 1-8/Evaluation II
Week 10 Review Week 1-9
- Introduce directions of the body while moving
- Introduce movements: Jeté, balance on one leg
Week 11 Review Week 1-10
- Introduce movements: Temps levé sauté
Week 12 Review Week 1-11
- Introduce movements: Pirouette preparation
Week 13 Review Week 1-12
- Develop Pirouette preparation
Week 14 Review Week 1-13
Week 15 Final Evaluation

** This Syllabus is subject to change at the instructor’s discretion ** 2

GRADING PROCEDURE:

• Progress Evaluations: (20 each evaluation, total of 60 points)

Students will perform short combinations we learn in class and be evaluated on
technical accuracy (10), musicality (5), and performance quality (5)

Evaluation Dates – 2/18/2016, 3/17/2016, 4/28/2016

• Work ethic and attitude: (15 points)

Students are expected to continue challenging themselves in class, working with
each other, keeping positive attitude when approaching new movements.

• Attendance to Dance Concerts (15 points)

Off campus concert attendance – 5 points
LSU Spring Dance Concert – 10 points

4/23/2016 at 2 PM or 7:30 PM
ALL students are required to attend this concert and use LSU clicker
to receive the attendance credit.

How to obtain a LSU Clicker:

https://grok.lsu.edu/article.aspx?articleid=10620

Spring 2016 Performances off campus:

2/20/2016 at 8 PM – The Fading Line

LSU Union Theatre, Baton Rouge, LA

2/27/2016 Ailey II
Dixon Hall, Tulane University

3/4/2016 – 3/6/2016 Newcomb Dance Company

Tulane University

3/5/2016 BODYTRAFFIC
AcA’s James Devin Moncus Theater
101 W. Vermilion St. Lafayette, LA

3/11/2016 – 3/13/2016 Malpaso Dance Company from Cuba

Freda Lupin Memorial Hall, NOCCA

4/2/2016 Hubbard Street Dance Chicago

Mahalia Jackson Theater

** This Syllabus is subject to change at the instructor’s discretion ** 3

 4/10/2016 The 2016 Regional Dance America/Southwest Festival
River Center, Baton Rouge, LA

4/14/2016 – 4/17/2017 Evening of Dance by University of Lafayette

Burke Theatre, Lafayette, LA

4/22/2016 and 4/23/2016 Of Moving Colors – You Tell Me

Manship Theatre, Baton Rouge, LA

• Self Evaluation: (10 points)

The evaluation will be graded on the clarity of content (3 points) the
organization of the paper (2 points) and the fulfillment of all required
questions (5 points). The paper must be submitted through Moodle on May 4th,
2016 between 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM.

Final grade breakdown:

A+ = 97 – 100 %
A = 96 – 93 %
A - = 90 – 92 %
B+ = 87 – 89 %
B = 83 – 86 %
B - = 80 – 82 %
C+ = 77 – 79 %
C = 73 – 76 %
C - = 70 – 72 %
D+ = 67 – 69 %
D = 63 – 66 %
D - = 60 – 62 %
F = 59 % and below

All students are strongly encouraged to meet individually with the instructor during
office hours at least once during the course of the semester to discuss their progress.
Please make the instructor aware of any injuries or medical conditions prior to the
start of class.

ATTENDANCE POLICY:

Students are required to attend class. Three unexcused absences will be permitted with no
effect on your grade. Unexcused absences cannot be made up in any way. If students
have more than the stipulated unexcused absences the final course grade for the students
will drop one grade level for every additional absence (for example, if a student has 4
unexcused absences and the student earned a B+ as the course grade, the student’s final
grade will be B). Late arrivals, early departures, non-participation will count as a tardy.
Two tardies will equal one unexcused absence for the semester. Unexcused absences
cannot be made up in any way.

** This Syllabus is subject to change at the instructor’s discretion ** 4

Excused absences are given only under extenuating circumstances including serious
illness with a doctor’s note (not from student health center), serious family emergency
(immediate family), legal obligation, military obligation, and any university approved
group absences. These absences must be requested in advance whenever possible, require
documentation, and must be made up in a way determined by the course instructor.

Students who arrive more than 5 minutes after the class begins should check in with the
professor at the end of the class to ensure they receive the TARDY instead of an absence.
Should any student leave the class without the permission from the professor, he/she shall
receive an absence for that day. Students are expected to arrive on time, prepared to take
notes, and to remain in the classroom until the professor dismisses class.

If a student is seriously injured and cannot participate the class physically (with a
doctor’s note), the student is required to take careful notes of the class and will receive a
TARDY for the class with a 3 page-observation paper (typed). If student’s injury is
preventing the student from participating the class for longer than two weeks period of
time, the student should consult with the faculty immediately.

ATTIRE AND CLASS ETIQUETTE:

• Students must wear conventional dance clothes - Women should wear a black
leotard, pink tights, and pink ballet slippers to all classes. Men should wear black
tights (with dance belt), white t-shirt, and black or white ballet shoes to all classes.
No Street clothes or non-dance attire will be allowed. All Students are expected to
have the correct dress code by 1/21/2016.
• No jewelry or chewing gum in class. Long hair must be pulled back and secured
to a ballet bun.
• Food and drink (other than bottle of water) are not allowed in the studio.
• All cell phones and noise-making devices must be turned off during class. Failure
to comply with this requirement will result in expulsion from the classroom and
one unexcused absence for the day.
• Text messaging and cell phone use during class will result in expulsion from the
classroom and one unexcused absence for the day.
• Students are expected to take care of any restroom needs before class.

Expectations
LSU’s general policy states that for each credit hour, you (the student) should plan to
spend at least two hours working on course related activities outside of class. Since this
course is for one credit hour/3 hour LAB, all of your work should be completed in class.
For more information see: http://catalog.lsu.edu/content.php?catoid=12&navoid=822.

LSU student code of conduct

The LSU student code of conduct explains student rights, excused absences, and what is
expected of student behavior. Students are expected to understand this code as described

** This Syllabus is subject to change at the instructor’s discretion ** 5

here: http://students.lsu.edu/saa/students/code. Any violations of the LSU student code
will be duly reported to the Dean of Students.

Disabilities
Louisiana State University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all
persons with disabilities. The syllabus is available in alternate formats upon request.
If you have a disability that may have some impact on your work in this class and for
which you may require accommodations, please see a staff member in Disability
Services so that such accommodations can be considered. Students that receive
accommodation letters, please meet with me to discuss the provisions of those
accommodations as soon as possible.

** This Syllabus is subject to change at the instructor’s discretion ** 6