Course Description
Contemporary Dance Praxis I focuses on progressive dance training from a somatic (mind and body) approach. Emphasis will be on building strength, coordination, and musicality to support movement based on anatomical principles. Prerequisite: Dance Major, Dance Minor, or permission of instructor; Department placement at this level; ineligible students will be withdrawn; enrollment priority given to dance majors; Notes: May be repeated for credit.
Syllabus
Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:
Students successfully completing this course will be able to:
- Demonstrate basic dynamic alignment for full-body movement range and efficiency.
- Understand individual movement range and joint capacities.
- Articulate and complete movement through extremities and directional lines.
- Understand directional changes and demonstrate clear spatial awareness.
- Translate concepts from warmups and floorwork into longer locomotor phrases and demonstrate movement retention.
- Respond to improvisational and/or choreographic prompts with confidence, artistry, and engagement.
- Develop musicality, connectivity, and artistry in performance.
- Maintain professionalism, engagement, and commitment to class activities and assignments.
- Engage in discourse about dance through discussion and/or written reflection.
- Self-evaluate and assess individual progress throughout the semester.
Course Grading Information:
| Activity/Performance Measure | Percentage/Points |
|---|---|
| Attendance & Participation | 60 points |
| Midterm Performance & Reflection | 15 points |
| Dance Concert Attendance & Reflection | 10 points |
| Final Performance & Reflection | 15 points |
Grading Scale
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 94-100 | A |
| 90-93 | A- |
| 87-89 | B+ |
| 83-86 | B |
| 80-82 | B- |
| 77-79 | C+ |
| 73-76 | C |
| 70-72 | C- |
| 67-69 | D+ |
| 63-66 | D |
| 60-62 | D- |
| Below 60 | F |
Attendance/Participation:
Attendance and full participation are expected. The School of Dance requires an 80% participation rate to receive credit for the course.
Students are allowed two excused absences. After two absences, the grade will be lowered by one-third of a letter grade for each additional absence.
Students who accrue more than five absences will automatically fail the course.
Course Materials Purchased by the Students:
No course materials are required.
Scholarly Perspectives
This course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.