Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

NB INFORMATION IN THIS UNIT OUTLINE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE PRIOR TO COMMENCEMENT OF SEMESTER
In the history of the arts in the West and Asia, dance has been used as an expressive language in which meaning is encoded in a number of ways. Dance analysis, that is, the description, interpretation and evaluation of these aesthetic codes, is an integral part of a wide range of pursuits within the dance industry, including those of the performer, choreographer and critic. Skills and understandings in dance analysis are also highly useful to a variety of pursuits in the other creative industries disciplines.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to equip you with methodologies and understandings necessary to analyse various styles of art dance in a variety of historical and cultural contexts.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to:
1. Describe ,interpret and evaluate short sections of art dance.
2. Display the capacity to reflect in a critical and creative manner on art dances
3. Articulate effectively the analysis of art dance in written and oral forms.
4. Work independently and collaboratively, direct group discussions, and contribute effectively to tutorial discussions in which dance works are analysed

Content

The unit content addresses the analysis of Western art dance, that is, dance in the genres of ballet, modern dance, postmodern dance and newmedia dance, in various historical contexts. You will be introduced to the fundamental processes in dance analysis; description, interpretation and evaluation. The unit also addresses methods appropriate to the analysis of Asian dance, and to intercultural choreography, including Indigenous Australian modern dance.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The unit comprises a two hour lecture per week, with lecture notes available on-line. Group tutorials supplement your learning in lectures. Lectures and tutorials will include viewing of recorded dance.

Assessment

LATE ASSIGNMENTS
An assignment submitted after the due date without an approved extension will not be marked. If you are unable to complete your assignment on time, you should submit on time whatever work you have done.

Faculty Assessment Information
To access the Creative Industries Faculty Assessment Information please refer to the Blackboard site for this unit.FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
You will be supported in your learning through verbal feedback opportunities in tutorials. The unit coordinator will be available in person, by appointment, or via email to provide feedback on your preparation for Assessment 1.


SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT

Final grades will be awarded on a 1 to 7 scale.

Assessment name: Oral Presentation
Description: (Summative and Formative) Working with a partner, in a short presentation, provide an analysis of a dance work from one of the genres covered in this unit. A transcript will contribute to the mark achieved.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: TBA early semester

Assessment name: Examination
Description: (Summative) The examination includes questions on dance analysis methodologies and the dance examples provided in class. It also includes an analysis of a piece of hitherto unspecified dance on video.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of semester

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Lecture specific readings available on the Course Materials Database at the commencement of the semester.

Required text:
Adshead, J. ed. 1988. Dance analysis: Theory and practice. London: Dance Books.

Recommended References:
Adshead-Lansdale, J. ed. 1999. Dancing texts: Intertextuality in interpretation. London: Dance Books.
Albright, A.C. 1997. Choreographing difference: The body and identity in contemporary dance. Hanover: Wesleyan University Press.
Craine, D. 2000. The Oxford dictionary of dance. Oxford, England and New York: Oxford University Press.
Desmond, J.C. ed. 1997. Meaning in motion: New cultural studies of dance. Durham, NC: Duke University Press.
Gottlieb, R. ed. 2008. Reading dance: A gathering of memoirs, reportage, criticism, profiles, interviews, and some uncategorizable extras. New York: Pantheon Books.
Harris, S. and J. Adshead-Lansdale. 1994. Diction: A choreographic analysis. Study pack. Guildford: Dept. of Dance Studies, University of Surrey.
Lansdale, J. ed. 2008. Decentring dancing texts: The challenge of interpreting dances. Basingstoke, England and New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
Pavis, P. 2003. Analyzing performance: Theater, dance, and film. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.
Robertson, A. and D. Hutera. 2008. The dance handbook. 2nd revised ed. United Kingdom: Routledge.
Miettinen, J.O. 1992. Classical dance and theatre in Southeast Asia. Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press.
Whiteoak, J. & A. Scott-Maxwell. eds. 2003. Currency companion to music and dance in Australia. Sydney: Currency Press.

Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 27-Mar-2013