[Course Name] Syllabus

 

SANTA ANA COLLEGE / FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS

Department of DANCE

Dance 122 Sec 64852 Commercial Contemporary Dance
 Spring 2019 Wed 6:30-8:25 p.m. Room G-108 Units: 1

Instructor: Joshua D. Estrada-Romero, Adjunct Professor of DANCE

Office Hour: Fridays 1-2:00 p.m.

Please email: EstradaRomero_Joshua@sac.edu

Course Description

Instruction for students in commercial jazz techniques at an intermediate and advanced level, including technical steps, styles, audition techniques, and performance skills necessary to be a successful dancer in commercial settings such as industrial, cruise ships, music videos, etc.

Course Objectives

• To develop the ability to learn, retain, and perform advanced commercial contemporary dance movement and combinations 

• To explore contemporary dance by utilizing organic and angular movements joined by use of gravity, isolation, floor work, imagery, and partnering 

• To develop balance, focus, and clarity, both mental and physical 

• To develop musical awareness with regard to rhythm, phrasing, tempo, syncopation, and 
style, as well as appreciate numerous musical genres 

• To learn dynamic qualities through a fusion of multiple movement influences with the 
inclusion of personal exploration and improvisation


Student Learning Outcomes


Students will be able to: 


• Understand movement vocabulary and movement concepts both written and verbally 

• Understand and apply verbal instruction and correction to improve dance technique 

• Analyze and critique one’s own technical skills 

• Acquire physical dance skills appropriate to the demands of commercial contemporary dance 
styling and technique 

• As an ongoing process, develop personal expression and performance ability in commercial 
contemporary dance technique 

• Develop short choreographic statements and creative ways to join those statements into 
choreographic phrase work. 


Course Requirements

• Participate and complete midterm and Final Exam.
Exams are mandatory. Exams can only be made up in the event of illness or emergency and if the instructor is informed of the absence via email by the student either prior to the exam or within 24 hours after the exam has taken place. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor to reschedule the exam. If the student fails to reschedule the exam, the student forfeits the ability to take the exam.

Midterm Exam: April 3^rd, 2019, during normal class meeting time. 140 points

Final Exam: (retention and performance) May 29^th, 2018, during normal class meeting time. 150 points

• Weekly Journal. For this class you are required to keep record of class notes and discussion in a weekly journal. This assignment will be worth 50 points towards your final grade, and will be due on the second to last Wednesday of this semester. Additional assignment may be given as extra credit, and must be placed in this journal.
• Full participation in class with commitment, focus, and contribution to daily activities. Each class MAY BE WORTH 10 points based on the following criteria:

- Arriving on time, ready to dance / punctuality and preparedness
- Staying for the ENTIRE class session
- Dressing in the appropriate dance attire with proper grooming
- Exhibiting a positive attitude when receiving comments or corrections - Always giving full effort and attention, both physically and mentally

- 10 points per class X 16 classes = 160 points
- IMPORTANT: Please note that per department policy, a student may be dropped from the class after missing 10% of the course which equates to 2 unexcused absences!

* NOTE: this class uses “touch instruction” and hands-on facilitation to enable and support kinesthetic learning, which teaches students how to sense muscular activation. At any given time that a student does not want to be touched by an instructor or another student, the student has the right to refuse participation and may opt to facilitate the activity by themselves.

Observations

• A student cannot dance/participate in a class if more than15 minutes late, unless approved by the instructor. It is, however, necessary to attend, observe, take notes, and participate in discussions in order to receive credit points for the class session that day. Notes need to be shown to the instructor at the conclusion of class. Failure to do so will result in a deduction of points. If a student continues to sit out on a regular basis, a meeting with the instructor is necessary to discuss other options. 

• A student can be dropped for excessive absences when the total hours of absences exceed 10% of the total scheduled hours of the class (approximately 2 classes) but it is the student’s responsibility to officially drop from the course. Failure to do so will result in receiving an “F” for the course. 


Attire

Leotards, tights, leggings, and any other form fitting, and modest attire is required.  NO baggy clothing, street clothing, or revealing / unsupportive clothing. This is a high intensity movement class and students should be aware of their support and coverage needs. NO loose fitting gym shorts will be allowed without dance shorts or trunks underneath. Hair must be pulled up and away from the face. Excessive or noisy jewelry is unacceptable. 


NOGUM….NOCELLPHONES….NOSTREETSHOES.. This is your first and last warning. Grades will be affected with no verbal notification

Injuries 


If an injury occurs in class, the student must inform the instructor immediately. The student must refrain from any further dance movement until the injury is assessed by the first by the instructor (minor injuries only) and then by a PT or doctor. If the injury requires ice/ compression or medical attention, the instructor will call security for further assistance. If a student has an chronic or existing injury, it the student’s responsibility to notify the instructor before participation in the first class session. A medical note from the student’s doctor may be required to permit physical participation in the class.

Flu/Sickness

If a student is ill with a fever and/or flu-like symptoms, the student should refrain from attendance in class and presence on campus until the fever/flu has been broken for a full 24 hours. Any other contagious health issues should be given medical attention and the student should remain at home until advised by a doctor to return to campus. Frequent washing of the hands and proper cleanliness is highly suggested.

Emergency Evacuation

In the case of an emergency due to a FIRE , EARTHQUAKE , or other emergency, please STAY CALM! Please refer to the posted handout on emergency procedures.

Disabilities

“A student with a disability, who would like to request an academic accommodation, is responsible for identifying herself/himself to the instructor and to the Disabled Student Office in VL-203 or by phone 714.564.6295 for a referral to the appropriate DSPS department.”

Grading

Participation 160 +Journal 50+ Midterm 140+ Final 150 =Total Points 500

Pass/No Pass

450-500 points = A 400-449 points = B 350-399 points = C 300-349 points = D 348-below = F

90-100% 80-89% 70-79% 60-69% 59%

Students who register for this course as a P/NP must earn points equivalent to a C grade or better to receive credit for this course