Winter 2020

BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Department of Dance

Student Syllabus for Dance 294

Ballet Technique, Men

Instructor: Ryan Hatch

Office Hours: By Appointment
E-mail: HSDS30@hotmail.com

1. Course Description: Intermediate ballet technique for men.

2. Prerequisite(s):
Dance 290

3. Course Alignment with University and Program Mission and Aims:

This course contributes to the broad education of the BYU student by balancing learning and
the development of the total person in spiritual, intellectual, physical, aesthetic, artistic, and
emotional areas. The classroom objectives and expectations align with the AIMS of a BYU
education in the following ways:
1. Strengthen students spiritually as they experience the joy of moving with expression to
classical music and are reminded of God’s divine power in creating the physical
body.
2. Enlarge the students intellectually through the rigorous mental and physical training in
ballet technique class as they practice and perfect the connection between the mind
and body, through the learning of specialized terminology, and through analytically
assessing movement and performance.
3. Build character through learning a greater degree of self-mastery from the ballet
discipline.
4. Encourage lifelong learning and service through Ballet Club membership and ballet
performance attendance.

4. Required Course Materials:

In addition to in the Technical Manual and Dictionary of Classical Ballet by Gail Grant,
the following appropriate attire is required:
1. WOMEN
a. Leotard - All female students are required to provide their own leotard. This
leotard must be purchased through an approved BYU distributor, which ensures that
it meets the BYU dress standard. Please note that your instructor can revoke
permission to wear any leotard at any given time if he/she feels that the fit does not
follow BYU dress standards. For more information on the BYU dress standard, please
see dress code document.
b. Pink tights that are footed so that they can go into the ballet technique shoes.
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c. Hair must be neatly groomed and contained up off the neck (e.g. bun, braids,
rolls, twists). NO PONY TAILS. If hair is short, but long enough to move when
the head moves, please barrette the sides back.
d. Pink ballet shoes, either canvas or leather, with elastics properly sewn, not tied.
Information is given the first day of class regarding proper fit and grooming of
shoes.
e. No jewelry
f. No normal undergarments should be seen under your ballet class attire.

2. MEN
a. White or Black leotard or ballet t-shirt purchased through an approved vendor
b. Black tights, leggings, or solid black biking shorts at least at knee length
c. White socks with white ballet shoes, or black socks with black ballet shoes, either
canvas or leather with elastics properly sewn. Information is given the first day of
class regarding proper fit and grooming of shoes.
d. Dance belt

Note: Leg warmers, extra shirts, skirts, and sweaters are not to be worn in class without
express permission of the instructor.

5. Program Learning Outcomes:

This course contributes to the following Dance Program Learning Outcomes:

● BA in Dance: Students will demonstrate advanced technical and artistic skill in

one dance genre, and intermediate skill in another.

● Dance Education: Students will demonstrate proficiency in contemporary modern

dance technique, performance, and choreography (ballet being part of the core
requirements to supplement the contemporary focus).

● BFA in Dance: Students will demonstrate proficiency in dance technique and

performance in ballet and contemporary dance.

This course also contributes to the following program learning outcomes for the BA, BA
in Dance Education, and BFA degrees:
● Students will model professional behavior and practice.

6. Course Learning Outcomes:

TECHNIQUE OBJECTIVES — Each student will:
1. Acquire a degree of mastery in men’s beginning/intermediate ballet technique. These
basic skills will be accomplished through active class participation and the practice of
the movement vocabulary detailed in the appendix. Please consult the appendix for
the specific criteria and standards.

WRITING OBJECTIVES — Each student will:

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1. Acquire a working knowledge of French ballet terminology and the correct execution
for the technique appropriate at this level and then pass an objective written exam
prepared by the ballet program.
2. Submit a completed self-assessment rubric and/or written self-evaluation for the
individual midterm conference.
3. Submit a completed self-evaluation for the technique final.
4. Attend one live ballet performance and upload ticket stub to Learning Suite.

PARTICIPATION OBJECTIVES — Each student will:

1. Participate fully in the technique class by dancing each class period and pass the required
technique exam at the end of the semester/term, being graded on the movement
vocabulary detailed in the appendix.

7. Learning Activities/Course Requirements:

1. Attendance Policy: Participating regularly, applying newly learned ballet technique with
adequate repetition to build appropriate placement and strength. Regular participation is
required for a passing grade. It is also an understood protocol out of respect for balletic
discipline. Missing 20% of classes, or six days, is considered an automatic failure,
regardless of how well a student could perform on a written or technique final exam.
(Dance Department Policy) Two absences will be allowed before the final grade is
lowered due to irregular participation. Each absence beyond 2 will lower the final grade
by 1/3 of a grade. Extenuating circumstances for absences may be discussed with the
teacher for possible makeup. In case of illness or injury, an observation of class is
preferred over an absence. Two absences may be made up by attending a Ballet Club
Session on scheduled Thursdays at 11 am (Fall/Winter). There are no make-up
possibilities in other sections of the course due to university/department liability concerns
that have to be enforced by the ballet area. Tardies or early exits are counted as 1/3 of an
absence, dress code non-compliance is counted as 1/3 of an absence and each observation
is counted as 1/3 of an absence. Each absence beyond two will in some way make an
effect on the final grade.
2. Executing the correct method of performance of each technique as it is demonstrated and
repeatedly practiced correctly, applying given corrections.
3. Acquiring a working knowledge of French ballet terminology and the correct execution
for the technique appropriate at this level. Student’s will take one online quiz to evaluate
their knowledge of French ballet terminology, as found in the Technical Manual and
Dictionary of Classical Ballet by Gail Grant.
4. Attending one live ballet performances and submitting ticket stubs to the instructor on
Learning Suite.
5. Completing a midterm wherein each student evaluates a video recording of her/his class
performance and meets with the instructor for an individual midterm conference. This
learning activity is not graded but required. However, the written assignments (self-
evaluation and/or rubric assessment) associated with this midterm are graded and
factored into the final grade.
6. Completing the required technique exams, and journals if required.
7. Completing the online student evaluations at the conclusion of the course as available at
studentratings.byu.edu. The student needs to ensure his/her name is released (evaluation
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remains anonymous) to receive proper credit or final grade will be dropped by 1/3 of a
grade.
8. If you are a dance major, this class will generate artifacts for your e-portfolio in the form
of technique combinations that you may want to film for your major requirements for
graduation.

8. Assessment Procedures:

ASSIGNMENTS CALCULATED INTO THE GRADE:

1. Written Assignments 25% of the final grade

1. Midterm Rubric self-assessment and/or written self-evaluation
2. Final Rubric self-assessment and/or written self-evaluation
3. Proof of attendance at one live university or professional ballet performances
zzes
5. Syllabus Contract

2. Technique Final Exam 50% of the final grade

The technique final exam is administered the last 2-3 classes of the semester/term.
Students are graded in small groups based on the 15 listed technique objectives in the
appendix. The evaluation is measured against the established criteria standard below:

# Strong Techniques Percentage Grade # Strong Techniques Percentage Grade

15 93-100% A 9 73-76% C
14 90-92% A- 8 70-72% C-
13 87-89% B+ 7 67-69% D+
12 83-86% B 6 63-66% D
11 80-82% B- 5 60-62% D-
10 77-79% C+ 4 or fewer 0-59% E

3. Professionalism and Progress 25% of the final grade

Assessment of students’ professionalism and progress. See professionalism and progress
rubric for more information.

9. Course Policies
1. Class beginning time 8:05am Class ending time 9:15am (allowing dressing time)

Promptness upon arrival, as well as completing the entire technique class, is a course
policy. If a student arrives after pliés, then s/he may not participate that day and will
receive 1/3 of an absence.

2. Proper ballet classroom etiquette and dress standards are expected. Please see attached
appendix and understand previously explained dress standards and consequences for not
following these.

3. Advancing to the next technique level is determined by audition, or through teacher

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approval.

4. Audit Policy—See additional handout for information regarding this policy.

10. University Policies

Preventing & Responding to Sexual Misconduct:
In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Brigham Young
University prohibits unlawful sex discrimination against any participant in its education
programs or activities. The university also prohibits sexual harassment—including sexual
violence—committed by or against students, university employees, and visitors to campus.
As outlined in university policy, sexual harassment, dating violence, domestic violence,
sexual assault, and stalking are considered forms of "Sexual Misconduct" prohibited by the
university.

University policy requires all university employees in a teaching, managerial, or supervisory

role to report all incidents of Sexual Misconduct that come to their attention in any way,
including but not limited to face-to-face conversations, a written class assignment or paper,
class discussion, email, text, or social media post.  Incidents of Sexual Misconduct should be
reported to the Title IX Coordinator at t9coordinator@byu.edu or (801) 422-8692.  Reports
may also be submitted through EthicsPoint at https://titleix.byu.edu/reportor 1-888-238-1062
(24-hours a day).

BYU offers confidential resources for those affected by Sexual Misconduct, including the
university’s Victim Advocate, as well as a number of non-confidential resources and services
that may be helpful. Additional information about Title IX, the university’s Sexual
Misconduct Policy, reporting requirements, and resources can be found at
http://titleix.byu.edu or by contacting the university’s Title IX Coordinator.

Counseling and Psychological Services:

Feeling overly stressed, depressed, or having academic or personal issues? Help is available!
If you feel you are in need of support services, go to caps.byu.edu or call 801.422.3035, or go
to 1500 WSC any time between 8 – 5. Evenings, weekends, and holidays, call University
Police and ask to speak to the After-hours counselor: 801.422.2222. For additional support
services, contact: Women’s Services and Resources: 801.422.4877

Students with Disabilities:

Brigham Young University is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere
that reasonably accommodates qualified persons with disabilities. If you have any disability
that may impair your ability to complete this course successfully, please contact the
University Accessibility Center: 801.422.2767; or visit their website: https://uac.byu.edu/

Respectful Environment

"Sadly, from time to time, we do hear reports of those who are at best insensitive and at
worst insulting in their comments to and about others... We hear derogatory and sometimes
even defamatory comments about those with different political, athletic, or ethnic views or
experiences. Such behavior is completely out of place at BYU, and I enlist the aid of all to
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monitor carefully and, if necessary, correct any such that might occur here, however
inadvertent or unintentional. "I worry particularly about demeaning comments made about
the career or major choices of women or men either directly or about members of the BYU
community generally. We must remember that personal agency is a fundamental principle
and that none of us has the right or option to criticize the lawful choices of another."
President Cecil O. Samuelson, Annual University Conference, August 24, 2010
"Occasionally, we ... hear reports that our female faculty feel disrespected, especially by
students, for choosing to work at BYU, even though each one has been approved by the BYU
Board of Trustees. Brothers and sisters, these things ought not to be. Not here. Not at a
university that shares a constitution with the School of the Prophets." Vice President John S.
Tanner, Annual University Conference, August 24, 2010

Church Educational System Honor Code:

Brigham Young University exists to provide an education in an atmosphere consistent with
the ideals and principles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. That
atmosphere is created and preserved through commitment to conduct that reflects those ideals
and principles. Observance of such standards is a condition of employment and admission.
Those individuals who are not members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
are also expected to maintain the same standards of conduct, except church attendance. If
you have any concerns, please contact the Honor Code Office at 422-2848. For more
information on the following related topics, visit the Honor Code office website at
http://www.byu.edu/honorcode/honor_code.htm

▪ Be honest
▪ Live a chaste and virtuous life
▪ Obey the law and all campus policies
▪ Use clean language
▪ Respect others
▪ Abstain from alcoholic beverages, tobacco, tea, coffee, and substance abuse
▪ Observe Dress and Grooming Standards
▪ Participate regularly in church services
▪ Encourage others in their commitment to comply with the BYU Honor Code
▪ Academic Honesty
▪ Dress and Grooming Standards

Mental Health
Mental health concerns and stressful life events can affect students’ academic performance
and quality of life. BYU Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS, 1500 WSC, 801-
422-3035, caps.byu.edu) provides individual, couples, and group counseling, as well as
stress management services. These services are confidential and are provided by the
university at no cost for fulltime students. For general information please visit
https://caps.byu.edu; for more immediate concerns please visit http://help.byu.edu.

I have read this syllabus and understand the policies of this class, including the attendance policy, dress code, and
student evaluation policy. I understand what is expected and I will participate in class knowing I will be graded
according to these expectations.
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Name: _____________________ Date: _____________________