Course Syllabus

Course Information
DANC 2334.001 Beginning Ballet Fall 2011 JO 1.216 Monday & Wednesday, 10:00a.m. 11:15a.m.

Professor Contact Information

Michele Hanlon Phone: 972.883.2140 Email: mhanlon@utdallas.edu Office: JO 5.207 Office Hours: Monday 11:30am 12:30pm or by appointment

Course Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, and/or Other Restrictions none Course Description

DANC 2334 is a ballet technique class designed for students with little or no background in dance, in particular ballet. In this course students will study ballet technique at a beginning level. Ballet will be taught through the practice of technique, supplemented with attendance at performances and the viewing of videos. Appropriate class wear is required: Women solid color leotard and tights, ballet slippers; pink, black, or tan, Men Tee shirt, solid sweat pants, or tights & dance belt, black ballet slippers Hair must be kept out of eyes and face tied back if shoulder length or longer.

Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes DANC 2332.001 Beginning Ballet

Students will be able to both execute physically and describe orally the basic movement vocabulary of beginning Ballet. 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 Ballet 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 the technique, recognizing its demands of the physical body, and the experience of the execution of a complete movement phrase.

Suggested Textbooks and Materials

Technical Manual and Dictionary of Classical Ballet by Gail Grant Ballet Basics. Sandra Noll Hammond. McGraw Hill. ISBN: 0-07-255714-1

Assignments & Academic Calendar 8/24 Review syllabus and view video 9/21 Video viewing and analysis 9/28 Stretch class 10/24 Video viewing 10/26 Stretch class bring a tennis ball 10/27 29 V.I.P. UTD Dance Ensemble residency concert, 8pm University Theater 10/31 Ticket/ program from V.I.P. due 11/23 Stretch class 11/24 & 25 Thanksgiving Holiday 11/30 Review for skills and vocabulary exam 12/5 Performance analysis paper due no later than this date during class time. 12/5 Skills and vocabulary exam 12/5 Final class meeting All classes will be ballet technique unless indicated above. 12/9 Final Exam 8:00am Friday Grading Policy
Student evaluation is based on the following: Participation grade is based on your 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 individual growth. You cannot participate if you are absent. Each absence will result in a loss of participation points in addition to attendance points. Each class has a value of 10 points awarded daily for participation by 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, and vocabulary quizzes/exams.
98 100 93 97 90 92 88 89 83 87 80 82 78 79 73 77 70 72 68 69 63 67 60 62 Below 60 F A+ A AB+ B BC+ C CD+ D D-

Participation Attendance Video Analysis Live Performance analysis Skills and vocabulary Daily Evaluation Class Participation: Basics Effort Tardy Observation Absent

45% 15% 10% 15% 15%

5 points possible (dressed out, comprehends & follows through on exercises) 5 points possible (improvement, progress, mastery) 3 points subtracted 7 points earned 0 points earned

Course and Instructor Policies

Attendance: Attendance is mandatory. You will be given 2 absences that will not count against you; any absence thereafter (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 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 the barre has begun and you will receive a .25-point deduction from your attendance points. You may not physically participate without the instructors 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 instructors 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 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 two live dance productions. You will write an analysis for one, and submit a ticket and program for the other. Attend V.I.P., which will be presented in the University Theater on October 27 -29 - viewing requirement for this concert will be fulfilled by submitting a ticket stub and program in class on October 31. Your live performance analysis can be written about your choice of instructor approved dance concerts. It 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 of 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 is required at V.I.P., the UTD Fall Dance Concert on October 27 - 29, 8:00pm in University Theater. Attend on one of the performance dates students are free. Approved concerts for analysis will be posted in the dance studio/rehearsal hall. Skills and Vocabulary: You will be expected to know the definition and how to execute specific movements that will come from your vocabulary list. You may be tested verbally, physically, and on paper. You will be expected to complete any assigned readings and related homework from handouts. Extra Credit: Extra credit may be received by attending dance performances beyond those required. You may receive 1 point by just turning in a ticket and program or up to 3 if accompanied by an analysis. 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. The two required concerts can not be counted as extra credit. General Class Etiquette and Attire Minimum jewelry. Hair up and away from face. Hair may not hang longer than the neck. 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 for ballet: Women: Solid color leotards, tights, and ballet shoes. Solid color sweat pants, dance warm ups, ballet skirts, dance sweaters, and solid color sweat shirts (when it is cold) are allowed. Men: Solid color sweat pants, solid color t shirts or sweat shirts, and ballet shoes. You may wear mens leotards and tights with a dance belt if you choose. Cell phones must be turned off and remain off during class time (2:30 3:45) 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: Sept. 21 & Oct. 24 VIDEO ANALYSIS: In class Sept. 21. Analysis format will be introduced in class. LIVE PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS: Due No later than December 5 Use the analysis format introduced during the video analysis day. Student will decide on available approved performances. Important dates to remember:

Last day to drop without a W Labor Day holiday V.I.P., 8th Annual Dance Residency Concert WP/WF ends Thanksgiving Holiday Last day of classes Reading days Final exam Technical Support

Fri., Sept. 9 Mon., Sept. 5 Oct. 27 - 29 Tues., Nov. 1 Thurs. & Fri. Nov. 24&25 Tues., Dec. 6 Wed. & Thurs. Dec. 7&8 Fri., Dec. 9, 8:00am

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 Students are responsible for obtaining their own tickets and providing their own transportation to and from dance concerts and any other events they choose to attend.
University Policies Please review important university policies at the following address: http://go.utdallas.edu/syllabuspolicies

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