Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

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

Rationale

In the history of Western arts a number of key philosophies may be identified including romanticism, classicism, modernism and postmodernism, some of which are also evident in the arts of other cultures. In dance they led to the formation of aesthetic codes that in some cases are still very much in operation in the dance industry. This unit contextualizes your current experience of choreographic practice and performance training methodology, providing understandings and skills that will be of great benefit in a range of professional contexts within the creative industries.

Aims

The aims of this unit are to:
- provide you with an understanding of the key philosophies in the history of Western and Asian dance art, and methodologies appropriate to the deconstruction of the resulting aesthetic codes.
- encourage you to reflect critically on examples of Western and Asian theatre dance using the philosophies and methods of dance analysis, dance history and cultural studies.
- challenge you to interrogate assumptions of value which you may previously have accepted without question.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to:
1. identify the stylistic features of dance from various historical and cultural contexts;
2. apply dance analysis methodology;
3. explain various cultural perspectives in dance, including those of Indigenous Australia and Asia, and, in doing so, apply the appropriate cultural protocols;
4. apply the principles of dance history research by discriminating appropriately in the selection and use of source materials;
5. apply a fundamental level of information and technological literacy;
6. apply written communication skills for Dance contexts taking into account academic writing conventions.

Content

The unit addresses content such as the historical and cultural dance manifestations of romanticism, classicism, modernism and postmodernism in relation to the concepts of genre and style. In exploring these key philosophies and the concepts of genre and style, philosophies and methods of dance analysis, dance history and cultural studies are discussed and applied at an introductory level.

In terms of Western theatre dance, the unit focuses on ballet, modern dance, postmodern dance and newmedia dance. Non-Western theatre dance is discussed in terms of the relevance of the concepts of classicism and modernism, taking dance forms from a wide range of Asian cultures as examples. The study of these various contexts incorporates discussion of intercultural choreography, such as that of Indigenous Australian modern dance.

As a component of specific tutorials, you will learn and practise written communication skills for dance history contexts and academic writing conventions relevant to the preparation of your dance history essay assessment. The tutorials will also include basic information literacy and technological literacy skills development.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The unit comprises a two hour lecture per week, with lecture notes available on-line. Group tutorials, involving the viewing and analysis of specific works, supplement student learning in lectures. Group tutorials also include information literacy and technological literacy workshops conducted by a librarian in which you will be given specific guidance in the research of your essay.

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 see the Blackboard site for this unit.FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
You will be supported in your learning through verbal feedback opportunities in tutorials, or on an individual basis by appointment with the Unit Coordinator. Weight: 0%

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
You will be awarded a final grade on a 1 to 7 scale.

Assessment name: Dance History Essay
Description: (Summative) Dance History Essay
Complete a series of online modules in academic literacies. Then, select a choreographer whose work belongs to any of the genres covered in this unit. Write an historical account of the person's total choreographic output that characterizes its philosophical underpinnings, tracing any shifts in approach over the span of the choreographer's career, and discuss how this philosophy and approach situates that work in terms of genre and style.
Relates to objectives: 2, 4, 5, 6
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid semester

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: (Summative) Questions involving analysis of an unseen section of dance in terms of genre and style. Questions on issues covered in lectures.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, 6
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End 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

Required Text

Au, S. 2002. Ballet and modern dance, 2nd ed. London: Thames and Hudson.

Recommended References

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

Craine, D. 2000. The Oxford dictionary of dance. Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press.

Reynolds, N. and M. McCormick. 2003. No fixed points: Dance in the twentieth century. New Haven and London: Yale University Press.

Robertson, A. and D. Hutera. 1990. The dance handbook. UK: Longman.

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.

Lecture specific readings available on the Course Materials Database during the semester.

Audio-visual sources:

Most DVDs of dance works are within the 792.8 to 792.9 range in the Kelvin Grove library.

Online videos are available from Google videos, YouTube and Vimeo.com.

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: 18-Oct-2012