Workshop in Dance
Arts 315.01, Dan 315
Fall 2003 UNCA
Instructor: Connie Schrader
Office: HFC 208
Phone: 232-5652
Email: csschrader@unca.edu
Course Objectives:
* to develop an appreciation for
the art of dance through dance making
* to develop an appreciation for
the creative process through dance making
* to explore physical, social and
emotional territories through dance making
Course Description
In class we well explore various
elements, strategies and techniques used in
choreography (the art of making
dances). Out of class you will practice these elements, strategies
and techniques by creating
your own original compositions.
Class Format
Each day we will focus on an aspect
of choreography in a workshop setting. That is, each class
will include some guided improvisation and exploration. It is important
to note that this is an
entirely creative class. Unlike
a technique class, where a system of movement is presented to be
copied and immitated, in this
class each student is challenged to discover their own ways of
moving and creating. I
do not teach dancing or dances in this calls. This is a class about
how to
make original dances.
Daily assignments will be given
to provide students the opportunity to apply the principles
explored in the weekly
class workshops. These assignments should take about one hour to
explore/complete.
Attendance
Since this class operates as a workshop
and depends on active and generous participation, and
since we meet only once/week, absences
will immediately and seriously affect your grade. In order
to be considered "in attendance" you are
expected to:
* Be in class, dressed appropriately
* Care about your work
* Care about other people's work
* Explore the concepts presented beyond
the first, most obvious, easiest solutions
You may miss one class without
penalty to your grade. thereafter, your grade will be reduced by
one
grade for each absence. If
you anticipate being absent, please discuss this with me prior to your
absence
so that some arrangements can
be made. If you are unable to be in class, it is your responsibility
to be
prepared for the next calls meeting.
I cannot judge the importance of other events in your life nor is
it
appropriate for me to approve
or disapprove of these events. By enrolling in this course you
contract to
do the work in this course thus
illness, work conflicts, family crises, bad hair days, car troubles and
so on
make good stories but do
not change reality. You are either in class or you are not. If
you are in class,
you do the work. If you
are not in class, you do not do the work. I can give you credit for
work you
have done, but it is unethical
to ask for credit for work you have not done.
Daily Assignments
Students should expect to collaborate
on assignments. While some time will occasionally be allowed in
class to review work prior
to presentation, students should expect to spend about an hour each week
preparing the assignment.
If you need help, please contact me by Friday. I often come
in to work over
the weekend, but we would
need to set up a weekend appointment by Friday.
Class Participation
All movement problems can be
solved at any level of physical fitness or dance training. Students
will be
challenged to work at a range,
speed and technical level that is individually appropriate. It is
assumed
that all bodies are unique in their
capabilities. Participation is judged on the degree to which it
is evident
that you care about your work.
How to get an "A"
Your participation grade will
reflect the degree to which you have explored the assignments in
preparation for sharing in
class. If you merely show up for every class and do something in
showings
you are likely to get a high
C or a low B. This is average. In order to rise above this
level you will
need to explore the material in depth
that yields new information - noew range, new strength, new
weakness, new design. I
encourage you to consider how this art form can be sued to inform your
other
passions, for incstance, your
major.
Final Project
Our work will culminate in
a final project, which you may choose to write or perform.
Weighting of Assignments
First Review: Blue Snake
15 points
Second Review: Nov 14th
Concert 15 points
Attendance (5x15)
75 points
Participation (preparation?)
75 points
Perfect Attendance bonus
20 points
Total:
200 
Up to two absences can be made up by attending
and reviewing a concert of dance presented locally.
Weekly Schedule of Workshops and Assignments
8-25 Intro to the course
Workshop: Axial and Locomotor movement
Homework: See The Blue Snake on reserve in the Media Center and
write a review. See
handout posted on Pipeline.
9-01 Share thoughts on Blue Snake
Workshop: More axial and locomotor movements
Homework: Create sequence using four axial movements and four locomotor
movements,
in any order.
9-08 Share sequences
Workshop: Working with Space
Homework: Create a duet with at least one chage in level or tension and
three modes of
movement.
9-15 Share duet
Workshop: Continue with Space
Homework: none
9-22 Workshop: Tension - push and pull
Homework: none
9-29 Workshop: Continue with Tension
- add chairs
Homework: List of fifteen adj/adv - more directions on Pipeline
