Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

School: Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

Your unit may be subject to government or third party COVID-19 vaccination requirements. Please consider this before enrolling in this unit, and speak with the unit coordinator if this raises any concerns.

• Unit Title

  Develop expertise in allied contemporary dance techniques

• Unit Code

  CUADAN518

• Year

  2022

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  1

• Nominal Hours

  80

• Full Year Unit

  Y

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  

• Unit Coordinator

  Ms Susan Desley PEACOCK

Description

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to develop expertise in allied contemporary dance techniques, such as alignment, improvisation, duo and tumbling, and reviewing own allied contemporary dance techniques. The unit applies to those who are dancers and who are constantly expanding their range of technical skills in order to develop their artistic capacity in a range of contemporary dance repertoire. While some supervision and guidance are provided in practice sessions and rehearsals, they are expected to be self-directed and display a high level of motivation and responsibility for themselves and others. No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Elements

• 1. Develop improvisation techniques
• 2. Develop skills in mat work
• 3. Practise techniques for duo
• 4. Review and develop expertise in contemporary dance techniques

Learning Experience

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU's LMS

For more information see the Semester Timetable

Performance Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate the ability to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including evidence of the ability to: choreograph and perform at least four sequences of movement, at least one of which must be a duo and at least one of which must be individual, demonstrating techniques in the following: o improvisation o tumbling and falling o basic aerial skills In the course of the above, the candidate must: apply basic performance psychology techniques to movement sequences demonstrate strength, precision and increasing agility in all aspects of footwork during movement sequences follow injury-prevention techniques and safe dance practices demonstrate timing and weight centring techniques during duo sequences, applying them to lifts and counterbalances demonstrate a high level of spatial awareness in allied dance techniques communicate style and intention of choreography to audience using allied contemporary dance techniques demonstrate a professional work ethic.

Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must be able to demonstrate knowledge to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including knowledge of: different teaching methods and approaches to developing improvisation skills principles relating to physical movements and allied contemporary dance techniques, including: o extending o folding o relationship with gravity o rotating o sequential movement o shifting weight o spatial awareness o use of breath fundamental technical principles in contemporary dance that relate to duo work options and methods for initiating dance improvisation, including: o watching o initiating o responding principles relating to safe dance practice and injury prevention: o anatomical principles o alignment and spine articulation o foot engagement o bases of support, including feet, legs, hands, arms and torso o joint range of motion o differentiation of legs and pelvis health and safety policies and procedures relevant to the dance environment improvisation in relation to contemporary dance repertoire techniques for counteracting risk factors associated with mat work and duo techniques key aspects of the following performance psychology techniques as they relate to dancers: o affirmations o maintaining a work-life balance o mental rehearsal o relaxation techniques o visualisations strategies to respond to self-evaluation, feedback and good practice to improve dance techniques.

Assessment

Assessment must be conducted in a safe environment where evidence gathered demonstrates consistent performance of typical activities experienced in creative arts industry environments. This includes access to: fully equipped dance studios with required flooring for performing allied contemporary dance techniques music or accompanists required for performing allied contemporary dance sequences interaction with others required to demonstrate the performance evidence. Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational educational and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.

Assessment

GS5 VET GRADING SCHEMA Used for WAAPA VET only

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.