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

As Australia is defining and cultivating its arts practice, so to is the dance artist striving to make a unique statement in this culture. This unit will offer an intense look into Twentieth century choreographers and their approach to content and form and the influence of technology on recent choreographic practice. You will make practical work with an emphasis on developing individual style while identifying current issues relevant to artistic practice in both a national and international context. This unit responds to the need to challenge and inform you as you will be contributing to the future of Australian choreographic practice.

Aims

This unit aims to augment and refine your understanding of the creative process as related to dance and dance making and to facilitate the development of a diverse, yet individual movement approach to choreographed works. The content presented in this unit is valuable for, and relates to many different aspects of dance in an historical context. It will also introduce you to the role that technology has played in shaping recent dance/theatre works.

You are required to have a minimum grade of 5 in KDB207-2 (previously KDX144-2) to proceed with enrolment in this unit.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to:
1. appreciate the nature of change in choreographic approaches and resulting work in the 20th century
2. define, extend and develop your own artistic practice and voice by noting your attitudes in relation to reputable choreographers philosophic points of view
3. employ the use of new and traditional forms in dance from ballet to contact improvisation as well as other relevant dance forms that have influenced concert dance making in this century
4. apply the use of digital software in the process of creating a phrase of movement and note its influence and potential future use in making work
5. describe your practice for grant submission requirements.

Content

This unit addresses content such as the contextualisation of dance and socially relevant issues, cross-cultural work, representations of the body, current trends in content, role of improvisation in making work, use of the camera and other technologies in making work and descriptors of work for grant writing purposes. An introduction to technological literacies will offer students adjunct skills for the creation of new work.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

You will have two choreographic tasks set and given 3-4 weeks for completion of each task. There will be opportunity for one on one feedback with the lecturer during this process both in and out of the studio. The class will meet at the end of each 3-4 week period for performance of that task when open debate and critical feedback of the work will take place. You are responsible for finding your own dancers and booking space for weekly rehearsals as required. Technological skills will be taught either through on-going lab work or intense periods of practice within the semester.

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.FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
You will receive formative feedback on your progress in this unit during tutorials and discussions throughout the semester. Weight: 0%

Assessment name: Practical Assignments 1 & 2
Description: (Summative and Formative) You will select two choreographers from the set categories handed out in class and locate your chosen choreographer in a genre.

Justifying this positioning, you will proceed to research the concepts, style and philosophies that shaped this choreographer's body of work and verbally present your findings to the class. You will then use this information as the basis for a short composition work (maximum 5 minutes).
Collaboration with another art form or a form of technology agreed on with the lecturer for at least one of the tasks is a requirementpreferential.

Each assignment has 3-4 weeks for research and development. Criteria to be discussed and set in class in week one of the semester. Weight: 25% each (50% total)
Relates to objectives: 1 - 4
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Early & Mid semester

Assessment name: Written Assessment 1 & 2
Description: (Summative) Written assessment for Task 1 & 2 to be submitted with the practical assessment of that task.
These are short paragraphs requiring descriptors of both tasks.
Weight: Task 1, 100 words = 5%; Task 2, 75 words = 10%
Relates to objectives: 5
Weight: 15%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Early & Mid semester

Assessment name: Practical Technology Task
Description: (Summative and Formative) You will be assessed on the creation of movement material created using specified technology as taught in the content of the unit.
Relates to objectives: 4
Weight: 35%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group with Individual Component
Due date: Mid - 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 is no set text for this unit.

Recommended References

Bremser, M. (2000) Fifty Contemporary Choreographers. London: Routledge.

Banes,S. (1987) Terpsichore in Sneakers. Post-Modern Dance. Connecticut; Wesleyan University Press.

Desmond, J. C. (Ed.) (1997) Meaning in motion: new cultural studies of dance, Durham NC:Duke University Press.

Franko, M. (1995) Dancing modernism/performing politics, Bloomington: Indiana University Press.

Partsch-Bergsohn, I. (1993) Modern dance in Germany and the United States: cross currents and influences, Philadelphia: Harwood Academic Publishers.

Segel, H. B. (1998) Body ascendant: modernism and the physical imperative, Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.

Risk assessment statement

The study in this unit involves physical training in purpose-built dance studios and industry standard performance venues. Full physical participation in any class / rehearsal 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. Due to the athletic nature of dance training, the dance discipline provides the necessary duty of care in emergency situations through its first-aid and health and safety officers at all venues in which students 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: 26-Sep-2012