Modern Dance 305 Syllabus

Modern Dance Technique
Course Syllabus
Dance 305A (2 credits)
Winter 2009
Instructor: Louis Gervais
Meeting Times: MWF 12:45-2:15
Location: Meany Studio 266
Office: Meany 59J
Office Hours: Monday 3:30 - 4:30 or by appointment
E-mail: lgervais@u.washington.edu

Course Description

This course offers instruction in the theory and practice of modern dance technique at an intermediate/advanced level with continued development of all beginning areas and expansion of movement vocabulary. This class will include a holistic approach of the dancer/artist by incorporating improvisation, composition along with technique and phrase work. The Modern III class is designed to help you develop and fine-tune your technical skills and to continue to address performance and dynamic skills.

Objectives
At the successful completion of the course you will demonstrate:
• A working understanding of the skills of dance technique including efficient alignment, flexibility, movement memory, clear spatial orientation, and rhythmic accuracy.
• Sufficient bodily strength, control, stamina, and coordination to perform at the intermediate level consistently.
• An understanding of the artistic aspects of dance performance and style including musicality, dynamics, phrasing, presence, focus, motivation, and artistic interpretation.
• Improve awareness of body alignment, rhythm, use of weight, phrasing and musicality.

Requirements and Grading

Studio Participation(65%)

Regular participation is absolutely crucial in order to progress in this class. This is considered a lab class. Please try to limit your absences and save them for when you really need them. If you are more than ten minutes late you may not take class (please don’t ask me) but are encouraged to observe. If I call your name and you are not in the room you are late. It is then your responsibility to check in with me at the end of class to make sure I have marked you present.

Participation grades reflect the following:

• Attending class on a consistent basis
• Arriving on time or early so that you have time to “warm up”, focus and prepare to participate fully in class
• Demonstrating a working knowledge of the ongoing class exercises and combinations. Taking risks in improvisation and composition exercises.
• Demonstrate an understanding of class material
• Show improvements in body awareness and alignment
• Show improvement in use of weight, moving through space, and rhythmic accuracy
Demonstrate commitment, enthusiam, respect and support of fellow classmates.

Online Journal Responses (25%)

This blog has been set up for this course. Over the course of the semester, this blog will be the place where we as a class will share our thoughts and reactions to the course. Videos and questions will be posted here and your responses will be submitted electronically. Post your responses to the blog in the comments link below each blog entry.You must post a response to each blog entry within a week of it's posting or receive a 10% reduction of credit for each day you are late. The URL is http://www.uwdance305.blogspot.com/.

Performance Attendance and Response (10%)You are required to attend the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company performance and pre-show lecture write a personal response. A more detailed assignment will be given before the performance. You will be asked to turn in your ticket stub the following Monday.

February 5-7, 2009 
Thursday-
Saturday, 8 p.m.
 Tickets can be purchased on the ave with a student discount.

Contact Improv Jam! Each of you is also required to attend one contact improvisation jam this quarter. CI Jams are happening at the UW on the first and third Tuesdays of the month in studio 267 from 6:30 - 8:30. Jams are also happening at Velocity Dance Center on Pine Street on Sundays from 2-4 pm. You will write a comment on the blog of your CI jam experience.

Attire and Changing

Bare feet or cotton socks may be worn for class. Please dress neatly and simply in close fitting exercise clothes. No baggy clothing, jeans/slacks or excessive jewelry. Long hair should be pulled back away from the face. If you are not prepared to dance, you will not be allowed to take class. You may change your clothes in the dressing rooms on the Lower Level. Please do not change in the restrooms on the Upper Level. You may secure your belongings by bringing a lock each day for a locker in the hallway outside of the studios. Locks MUST be removed after each class. Locks may be purchased for $5 from the Dance Office. DO NOT bring personal belongings into the studio. Shoes, clothes, purses, cell phones, etc were stolen every week last quarter. Lock up your belongings!!

Studio Etiquette
• Demonstrate an understanding of the class structure by arriving in the studio, on time, prepared for class
• Be respectful of your peers, instructor and musician at all times. This includes not crossing in front of the instructor or standing in front of the musician
• Receive and apply corrections in a respectful manner• Work safely and effectively in class and allow others to do so
• Contribute to the classroom by applying focus, concentration and enthusiasm
• If you are unable to dance or have any injuries, please inform the instructor before class begins
• In the event of an injury, alert the instructor immediately!
• No street shoes, tap shoes or shoes with cleats in the studio
• No oils, creams or lotions on exposed body or hair––they make the floor slippery and dangerous
• No food, gum or beverages are allowed in the studio with the exception of water bottles
• No personal belongings in the studio––NONE

Miscellaneous

To request academic accommodations due to disability, please contact Disabled Student Services, 448 Schmitz, (206) 543-8924, indicating that you have a disability that requires academic accommodations. Please present the letter to your instructor so we can discuss the accommodations you require.