York University - Faculty of Fine Arts

                                        Department of Dance 

                                     Dance Experience Lab 1

 

 

Course Code: FA/DANC A 1500.06     Term: Winter  

 

Name of Course: Dance Experience - Lab 1  

 

Director: Sharon Harvey Office Location: ACE 309

 

Email: shdance@yorku.ca   Office Hours: by appointment 

 

Lab Hours:  Mondays 10:30 - 12:30 ACE 249 (studio E)

 

**** Final day to drop this full year course is February 15th, 2013 **** 

 

Course Description 

The Dance Experience Lab provides students with embodied practices that complement the lecture component of the course. Although each lab is different, concepts will bridge between the lab and studio – these include uses of space, improvisation, technique, and meaning. The labs are not typical technique classes. They are designed for students to have in-depth experiences in two different dance practices, one in fall and one in winter, as well as several short introductions to others through guest teachers. In the labs, students will gain skills as dancers and dance makers, skills intended to encourage critical thinking about dance and movement in any context.

 

 Who are we?

In the winter term, students will explore and participate in Afro-Modern dance. The course will explore the mind/body discipline, as we identify the culture of the people and movement in the aesthetic of African and Modern dance forms, and the influential pioneers of this Art. Videos will be shown, to celebrate the influences of African dance, and its contemporary expressions in North America and throughout the world. Students will also have the opportunity to explore a choreographic piece taught in class, and their there own independent study on personal identity within a final group project.

 

Course Objectives 

1) Improve skills with which to observe and appreciate movement in different contexts. 

2) Empower students to develop, express, and question their own ideas about dance. 

3) Hone improvisation and composition skills. 

4) Foster creative and critical thinking and moving. 

5) Prepare students to work independently as well as collaboratively with peers. 

 

Please see the Course Outline for the Lecture portion of the course for information regarding required texts and reading assignments.  Time will be set-aside during each Lab to discuss lecture material and readings.

 

Specific Conditions/Expectations 

 

Preparation:  Students are expected to come to class physically, emotionally, and spiritually prepared to work. Students will be moving every day, which means that they must wear clothing that allows them to move freely.

Loose, comfortable clothing that allows for a full range of movement is advised (sweatpants, shorts, t-shirts, exercise clothing, etc.) The labs will involve turning, jumping, crawling, leaping, and sweating in class, as well as some floor work. No shoes or socks – students will dance in bare feet.

 

Hair must be kept off of the face. No food, drinks, or gum are allowed in the studios. At times, the lab instructor will assign “homework” in lab, which will need to be completed prior to the next class. 

 

 

Attendance: Students are permitted one excused absences per term. Be advised that during the fall term, if a student misses (or sits out due to illness or injury) more than one class, it will adversely affect his or her grade. In cases of more than four absences, the students will have to receive a deferred grade. Given the specialized nature of this course, there is no other way to make up the work. Lateness and early departure from class will also adversely impact the participation grade.  Five minutes late or early departure is equal to half of an absence, and more than five minutes equals one full absence. In the event of prolonged illness or injury, the students should immediately speak with the lab instructor and will be asked to provide a doctor’s note to corroborate absences. 

 

Professionalism: In the studio, the class works as a team, which means that students and instructors look out for and rely on one another. Students are expected to enter the studio quietly and save private conversation for before or after class. All cell phones and pagers must be on silent mode or disconnected. Students are expected to read the assigned reading, reflect on the prior class, and complete any homework assigned. The student’s focus must be in the studio. Throughout the term, I expect you to treat others and their work with respect, interest, and encouragement. New ideas will be presented in every class, and students are expected to be open to them. Students are adults; they are expected to act maturely and be responsible for themselves and their own learning. 

 

Scented Products: Due to the life-threatening environmental allergies of one of our students, all departmental classes are ‘scent free’ and the consequences must be understood. 

 

 

Evaluation 

 

LAB                                                                   YEAR (%)                   EACH TERM (%)  

         Body Skills                                                 20                                      10 

         Attitude and Progress                              20                                      10 

         Written Assignments (two reviews)       20                                      10 

 

LECTURE                                                       YEAR (%)                   EACH TERM (%) 

Written Assignments (three précis)                15                                      7.5 

Four Quizzes                                                      25                                      12.5 

 

TOTAL                                                             YEAR (%)                   EACH TERM (%) 

                                                                             100%                                 50%  

 

Lecture 

 

Written Assignments:  Two written assignments in the form of reviews will be assigned in conjunction with two performances on the York campus.  Ticket prices are included in course fees.  Instructions for picking up tickets will be given closer to the dates of the performances.  Details regarding the format and objectives for each review will be discussed during the Lecture portion of the course. 

 

 

Performance:

MFA Concert 2 – The Field                                                                       

February 13th, 14th and 15th, 2013 at 7:30pm

Sandra Faire and Ivan Fecan Theatre (Main Floor, ACE)

 

In Winter term all labs will be attending the same show.  Tickets must collect their tickets from the Box Office on the main floor of ACE on or before Friday February 8th.  The Box Office is open Monday to Friday from 12pm-5pm.  Ticket requests may also be made by email at boxoffice@yorku.ca

 

 

LAB SCHEDULE

 

Jan.7                  Technique: Introduction to the fundamentals of technique class

 

Jan.14                Technique: Introduction to the fundamentals of technique class

 

Jan.21                Technique: Introduction to the fundamentals of technique class

 

Jan.28                Technique: Lester Horton influence on black dance and discuss.

 

Feb.4                  Technique: Horton/ Video: Tribute-Canadian Contribution to                        dance

 

 

Feb. 11               Technique: Video: Free to Dance

 

Feb. 18               READING WEEK

 

Feb.25                Technique: The Dunham influence on black dance and discuss.

 

Mar.4                  Technique: Video: Free to Dance/Assignment discussions

 

Mar.11                Technique: In-class routine and Group Work

 

Mar.18                Technique: In-class routine and Group Work

 

Mar.25                Technique: In-class routine and Group Work

 

Apr.1                   PRESENTATION OF FINAL CHOREOGRAPHIC GROUP

                            PROJECTS

 

****Course schedule is subject to change.  Students will be notified of

                                                changes in advance*****

 

Group Choreography Project Due: April 1, 2013

Students will form small groups and in a collaborative effort, create and perform a dance, (minimum 3 minutes in length) in the theme of the movie: Free to dance. Students will examine how modern dance reflected issues of identity and create a modern dance that supports the group’s idea.  Each group will provide their own music (No Lyrics, can Use vocal sounds) and must include the following elements in the performance project:

 Any dance style of choice

 A point of view or group reflection on question

 How it’s reflected in your group performance

 

 

 

Grading, Assignment Submission, Lateness Penalties and Missed Tests      

Grading:  The grading scheme for the course conforms to the 9-point grading system used in undergraduate programs at York (e.g., A+ = 9, A = 8, B+ = 7, C+ = 5, etc.). 

Assignments and tests will bear either a letter grade designation or a corresponding number grade (e.g. A+ = 90 to 100, A = 80 to 90, B+ = 75 to 79, etc.)    For a full description of York grading system see the York University Undergraduate Calendar  - http://calendars.registrar.yorku.ca/pdfs/ug2009cal/UGCAL2009-2010.pdf

 

Assignment Submission: Proper academic performance depends on students doing their work not only well, but on time.  Accordingly, assignments for this course must be received on the due date specified for the assignment.  

 

Lateness Penalty: Assignments received later than the due date will be penalized one grade point per day.  Exceptions to the lateness penalty for valid reasons such as illness, compassionate grounds, etc., may be entertained by the Course Instructor but will require supporting documentation (e.g., a doctor’s letter). 

 

Missed Tests: Students with a documented reason for missing a course test, such as illness, compassionate grounds, etc., which is confirmed by supporting documentation (e.g., doctor’s letter) may request accommodation from the Course Instructor. Further extensions or accommodation will require students to submit a formal petition to the Faculty.  

 

Important Course Information for Students  

All students are expected to familiarize themselves with the following information, available on the Senate Committee on Curriculum & Academic Standards webpage (see Reports, Initiatives, Documents) 

http://www.yorku.ca/secretariat/senate_cte_main_pages/ccas.htm     

• York’s Academic Honesty Policy and Procedures/Academic Integrity Website  

• Ethics Review Process for research involving human participants    

• Course requirement accommodation for students with disabilities, including physical, medical, systemic, learning and psychiatric disabilities   

• Student Conduct Standards  

• Religious Observance Accommodation   

 

Academic Honesty and Integrity            

York students are required to maintain high standards of academic integrity and are subject to the Senate Policy on Academic Honesty 

(http://www.yorku.ca/secretariat/legislation/senate/acadhone.htm).  

   

There is also an academic integrity website with complete information about academic honesty. Students are expected to review the materials on the Academic Integrity website (http://www.yorku.ca/academicintegrity/students.htm).  

 

Access/Disability               

York provides services for students with disabilities (including physical, medical, learning and psychiatric disabilities) needing accommodation related to teaching and evaluation methods/materials.   

  

It is the student's responsibility to register with disability services as early as possible to ensure that appropriate academic accommodation can be provided with advance notice.

You are encouraged to schedule a time early in the term to meet with each professor to discuss your accommodation needs.

Failure to make these arrangements may jeopardize your opportunity to receive academic accommodations.     

Additional information is available at www.yorku.ca/disabilityservices or from disability service providers:  

• Office for Persons with Disabilities: N108 Ross, 416-736-5140, www.yorku.ca/opd  

• Learning and Psychiatric Disabilities Programs - Counselling & Development Centre: 130 BSB, 416-736-5297, www.yorku.ca/cdc  

• Atkinson students - Atkinson Counselling & Supervision Centre: 114 Atkinson, 416- 736- 5225, www.yorku.ca/atkcsc  

• Glendon students - Glendon Counselling & Career Centre: Glendon Hall 111, 416- 487- 6709, www.glendon.yorku.ca/counselling  

 

Ethics Review Process              

York students are subject to the York University Policy for the Ethics Review Process for Research Involving Human Participants. In particular, students proposing to undertake research involving human participants (e.g., interviewing the director of a company or government agency, having students complete a questionnaire, etc.) are required to submit an Application for Ethical Approval of Research Involving Human Participants at least one month before you plan to begin the research.  If you are in doubt as to whether this requirement applies to you, contact your Course Director immediately  

 

Religious Observance Accommodation           

York University is committed to respecting the religious beliefs and practices of all members of the community, and making accommodations for observances of special significance to adherents.  Should any of the dates specified in this syllabus for an in- class test or examination pose such a conflict for you, contact the Course Director within the first three weeks of class.  Similarly, should an assignment to be completed in a lab, practicum placement, workshop, etc., scheduled later in the term pose such a conflict, contact the Course director immediately.   

 

Student Conduct               

Students and instructors are expected to maintain a professional relationship characterized by courtesy and mutual respect and to refrain from actions disruptive to such a relationship.  Moreover, it is the responsibility of the instructor to maintain an appropriate academic atmosphere in the classroom, and the responsibility of the student to cooperate in that endeavour.  Further, the instructor is the best person to decide, in the first instance, whether such an atmosphere is present in the class.  A statement of the policy and procedures involving disruptive and/or harassing behaviour by students in academic situations is available on the York website

http://www.yorku.ca/secretariat/legislation/senate/harass.htm   

 

York University’s Code of Student Conduct is available online at:   

http://www.yorku.ca/scdr/CodeOfConduct.html 

Please note that this information is subject to periodic update.  For the most current information, please go to the CCAS webpage (see Reports, Initiatives, Documents): 

http://www.yorku.ca/secretariat/senate_cte_main_pages/ccas.html