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

As a result of twentieth century cultural imperialism, popular and music theatre dance styles from the USA and Western Europe have become an integral part of an increasingly global popular culture. This unit is designed to initiate and/or broaden your skills and understandings in these widely practiced dance styles. This will be of future benefit in the commercial dance industry and across the broader creative industries context.

While the unit is designed for trained dancers and students with little or no dance training, it is essential that all students consult the prerequisite statement for this unit.

Aims

The aim of the practical component of this unit is to initiate and/or develop your ability to utilize, adapt and transform your skills in two dance styles. The aim of the theory component is to contextualize your practice, analyzing the role of popular and music theatre dance styles in the new global culture in terms of the recent past and current trends.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to:
1. Display a performative understanding oftwo dance styles in relation to mechanics, musicality, and dance communication.
2. Characterise popular culture and analyse the role of popular and music theatre dance within this characterisation in relation to the mass dissemination of these styles through the stage, film and television.
3. Critically reflect on popular and music theatre dance styles through effective written communication.

Content

American and Western European popular and music theatre dances from the late 1900s to the present form the content base of this unit, drawing on two of the following styles: funk, tap, jazz and/or hip-hop. Dance technique and style pertinent to each dance form is taught in the practical classes, while in the theory component of the unit this content is interrogated through historical and cultural studies perspectives.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The semester is divided into two successive sections, one per dance style studied. For each section you will attend two lectures, a series of practical classes, and one practical examination relating to the dance style. There is one theory examination, at the end of the semester, pertaining to both dance styles.

Lectures include viewing of recorded dance. Lecture notes will be available on-line.

The practical component of this unit is offered in a number of strands to accommodate the different skill levels of trained dancers as distinct from students with little or no dance training. The lectures are not stranded.

Description of strand system for practical classes:

Students entering this unit are at various levels of skill development and therefore the classes are stranded into beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. Prior to the commencement of semester, for each dance style you are required to select a level that is appropriate to your continued development based on your dance background. After the first class in each style you will have the opportunity to change into another level if you feel that your initial selection was not appropriate.

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 complete Creative Industries Faculty Assessment Information please refer to the Blackboard site for this unit.

You will be awarded a final grade on a 1 to 7 scale.FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
During practical classes you are provided verbally with collective and individual feedback in preparation for Assessments 1 and 2 (Practical examinations). The unit coordinator is available in person, by appointment, or via email to answer questions from students.

Assessment name: Practical Examination
Description: (Formative and Summative) You will present a short routine based on the first dance style studied. This routine will be learned and developed during class time.
Relates to objectives: 1
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid semester

Assessment name: Practical Examination
Description: (Formative and Summative) You will present a short routine based on the second dance style studied. This routine will be learned and developed during class time.
Relates to objectives: 1
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Late semester

Assessment name: Theory Examination
Description: You will select a series of short answer questions on issues covered in the lectures. The questions pertain to the characteristics of popular culture and the role of the popular and music theatre dance styles covered in the unit within the relevant socio-cultural contexts.
Relates to objectives: 2, 3
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Late 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

You are required to purchase appropriate footwear for this unit. Prior to the commencement of semester the unit coordinator will inform you which dance shoes you need to purchase.

There is no set text for this unit.

Dow, A. 1980. The official guide to jazz dancing. N.J.: Chartwell Books.

Driver, I. 2002. A century of dance. New York: Cooper Square Press.

Kislan, R. c1995. The musical: A look at American musical theatre. New York: Applause.

Stearns, M.W. and J. Stearns. 1994. Jazz dance: The story of American vernacular dance. New York: Da Capo Press.

The jazz dance of Matt Mattox, (c1999). Kent, C.T.: Creative Arts Television [Videorecording: VHS].

Risk assessment statement

The study in this unit involves physical training in purpose-built dance studios. Physical challenges are an inherent part of dance training. The development of essential risk-management skills that minimize potential injury is a high priority with all lecturing staff. You are taught safe dance principles as life-long learning skills and it is expected that you apply them in this unit.

Due to the athletic nature of dance training, the dance department provides the necessary duty of care in emergency situations through its first-aid and health and safety officers at all venues in which you are required to participate in this unit. Access to on-campus doctors and dance physiotherapists is possible at short notice.

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