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

All professionals in the field of dance need a comprehensive grounding in the practice of dance. This unit provides further opportunities to hone skills and deepen understanding in contemporary dance. As a third unit in a suite of Dance Practice units, you will continue to develop skills in learning and reflective practice to enable you to become an effective self-directed practitioner. You will also investigate approaches in assisting others to learn.

Aims

This unit aims to provide you with the opportunities to further refine your dance practice and enhance your understanding of correct alignment, safe dance practice and effective approaches to improving your own dance practice as well as how you might consider teaching others.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to:
1. apply consistently refined alignment, move with an expanded range of dynamics and demonstrate well-developed spatial awareness skills and musicality.
2. implement a developed level of dance-specific fitness and safe dance practice.
3. discuss, analyse and apply teaching considerations.

Content

This unit will cover content such as contemporary dance, reflective practice and approaches to pedagogy. You will learn and practice movement sequences, with emphasis on your understanding and awareness of your own learning experiences and your developing ability to analyse these processes and teach them to others.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Practical studio classes will be led by a staff member. Discussion will be periodically facilitated to probe understanding, analyse experiences and share reflections. Tutorials will also be provided in reflective practice and teaching applications. You are explicitly given the control and responsibility of your own learning and development. Online and AV technologies may be used.

Assessment

You will be assessed both during the semester classes and by a panel of assessors in a presentation towards the end of the semester. You will also submit a written assignment at the end of the semester.Staff will give you verbal and demonstrated feedback, collectively and/or individually, in each class. You are encouraged to assimilate this information into both the physical and conceptual development and understanding of your dancing. You will be notified mid-semester if you are failing to meet the performance standards at the minimum level required to pass the unit.

Assessment name: Demonstration
Description: Teaching staff make cumulative assessments of the development, understanding and application of your dance practices during the semester.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Throughout Semester

Assessment name: Examination (practical)
Description: A studio presentation, comprising set and/or unseen work from the semester's studies, will be assessed against the unit's performance standards by a panel.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End Semester

Assessment name: Portfolio
Description: You will define and justify principles of dance-related pedagogy which are important to you and which may influence your teaching. This will comprise 1500 words of text and a formative supplementary, multi-media presentation.
Relates to objectives: 3
Weight: 20%
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

There are no set texts for this unit.

Recommended References

Contemporary:

Writings on Dance

Banes, S. (1977) Terpsichore in Sneakers, Wesleyan Press, Connecticut.

Cohen, S. J. (1969)The Modern Dance - Seven Statements of Belief, Wesleyan Press, Connecticut.

Marranca, B. and Dasgupta, G. (1999) Conversations on Art and Performance, John Hopkins University Press.

Morrison Brown, J. (1980) The Vision of Modern Dance, Dance Books, London.

Teaching Considerations

Schlaich, J and DuPont, B. (1993). The Art of Teaching Dance Technique, American Alliance for Health, PE, Recreation and Dance, Reston, Virginia

Risk assessment statement

The study in this unit involves physical training in purpose-built dance studios. Full physical participation in any class is subject to compliance with safe dance practice. Physical challenges are an inherent part of dance training. The development of essential risk-management skills that minimise 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. The dance discipline provides the necessary duty of care in emergency situations through its first-aid and health and safety officers at most venues in which you are required to participate in 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: 24-Sep-2012