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.

• Unit Title

  Dance History and Analysis 1

• Unit Code

  DAN1035

• Year

  2016

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  2

• Credit Points

  10

• Full Year Unit

  Y

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  

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Description

The unit is conducted through seminars that address the history and philosophical movements of western theatre dance from the early 19th century to the present day, with emphasis on the lineages influencing the development of dance in Australia. Emphasis is place on the acquisition of skills in critical listening, written and oral communication, and basic research, to generate ideas and concepts in both written and oral formats.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded AWD1206, DAE1035

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Analyse the nature of western dance forms in terms of class, gender, other political constructs and aesthetics.
2. Demonstrate an imaginative approach to the challenges and difficulties faced by dance practices in currently held social values.
3. Differentiate between the approaches, styles and vocabulary of ballet/modern/contemporary dance choreographers of different periods and within pertinent cultural contexts.
4. Employ techniques of research and analysis in writing a major essay on a defined dance history topic with appropriate referencing of citations and bibliography.
5. Identify the aesthetic characteristics and professional achievements and motivations of selected Australian choreographers.
6. Identify the major contributors to dance and articulate the philosophical premises of their choreography, musical compositions and design elements.
7. Organise and time manage preparation and presentation of work.
8. Research and present an analytical seminar on a chosen topic of the designated curriculum that demonstrates a facility with technical and descriptive language.
9. Write a critically informed and imaginative performance review.

Unit Content

1. A study of current Australian choreographers with particular emphasis on their positioning in national and international (where applicable) contexts.
2. Expression of ideas and concepts in both written and oral formats.
3. Philosophies and practices of pioneers in the main genres of western theatre dance and their subsequent lineages.
4. Research, planning and critical decision making in assignment preparation and presentation.
5. The defining characteristics and major influences of romanticism, expressionism, modernism, post-modernism in dance and related art forms.
6. The socio/political/aesthetic trends in the arts, with particular reference to Australian culture since 1900.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Seminars. Video analysis. Performance analysis.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

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 Board of Examiners.

Text References

• Banes, S. (1983). Democracy's body, Ann Arbor: UMI Research Press.
• Hollinshed, M. (1987). In search of ballet in Australia. Brisbane: Boorlorong.
• Cohen, S. J. (1966). The modern dance: Seven statements of belief. Middletown: Wesleyan University Press.
• de Mille, A. (1980). Dance to the piper, New York: De Capo.
• McTavish, D., & Shona. (1987). An ecstasy of purpose, Dunedin: Dunlop MacTavish, and Les Humphrey,
• Foster, J. (1977). The influences of Rudolph Laban. London: Lepus.
• Garafola, L. (1989). Diaghilev's ballets Russes, New York: OUP.
• Goldberg, S.L., & Smith, B.F. (1988). Australian cultural history, Surry Hills: CUP.
• Au, S. (1988). Ballet and modern dance, New York: Thames and Hudson.
• Wigman, M. (1966). The language of dance. Middleton: Wesleyan University Press.
• Von Sturmer, C. (1993). Margaret Barr. Epic individual. Dee Why: von Stumer.
• Sexton, C. (1985). Peggy Van Praagh: A life of dance. Melbourne: Macmillan.
• Serle, G. (1987). The creative spirit in Australia: A cultural history. Richmond: Heinemann.
• Salter, F. (1980). Borovansky. Melbourne: Wildcat Press.
• Ruyter, N. C. (1979). Reformers and visionaries. New York: Dance Horizons.
• Rambert, M. (1983). Quicksilver. London: Macmillan.
• Ballet in Australia. The second act 1940-1980. (1982). Melbourne: OUP.
• Pask, E. (1979). Enter the colonies, dancing, Melbourne: OUP.
• McDonagh, D. (1990). The rise and fall of modern dance. Pennington, NJ.: A Capella.
• Mc Credie, A. (1988). From Colonel light into the Footlights. Norwood: Pagel.
• Lisner, C. (1979). My journey through dance, St. Lucia: University Queensland Press.
• Kirstein, L. (1979). The New York City Ballet. London: Charles Black.
• Jowitt, D. (1988). Time and the dancing body. Berkeley: University California Press.
• Humphrey, D. (1962). The art of making dances, New York: Grove Press.
• Brisbane, K. (Ed.). (1991). Entertaining Australia, Sydney: Currency Press.

Journal References

• Dance Australia
• Writings on Dance
• Dance Magazine
• Contact Quarterly
• The Drama Review
• 24 Hours
• Dance Research Journal
• Contact Quarterly
• Brolga

Other References

• Alvin Ailey. 4 by Ailey: Divining (Jamison), Revelations, Cry, The Stack-up (Beatty), USA, NVC Arts 1988 Note: Video.
• Wigman, Mary. When the Fire Dances Between Two Poles, 1983. Note: Video.
• Australian Ballet Premiere Gala: The Deep End/Tankard; Alchemy/Page; Red Earth/Welsh Australia ABC 1996. Note: Video.
• Balanchine Balanchine Celebration: USA Dance in America 1995 Note: Video.
• Ballets Russes, The Ballets Russes in Australia: An Avalanche of Dancing, Australia, NFSA, 1999. Note: Video.
• Bangarra. Urban Clan, Australia, ABC, 1998, Documentary the Page family U-2208 media. Note: Video.
• Bergsohn, Harold & Partsch-Bergsohn, Isa. European Dance Theatre: Tanztheater: An Overview of Past and Presence. New Jersey, Dance Horizons Video, 1997. Note: Video.
• Bolshoi Ballet The Magic of the Bolshoi Ballet Sleeping Beauty, historical clips, Romeo, Quixote USSR The Entertainment. Note: Video.
• Cage, Cunningham & Rauschenberg. The Collaborators, USA, Cunningham Dance Foundation, 1987. Note: Video.
• Feature film, The Red Shoes, UK Note: Video.
• Graham Martha The Dancer Revealed: A documentary USA. Note: Video.
• Hanya Holm Hanya: A portrait of a Pioneer USA Dance Horizons 1985. Note: Video.
• Helpmann. Don Quixote:restored version Nureyev & Aldous, Australia, ABC, 1999. Note: Video.
• Paris Opera. Diaghilev: Petrouchka, Noces, Rose & Faune, France. Note: Video.
• Twyla Tharp, The Catherine Wheel, USA. Note: Video.
• Dancing 3 Dance at Court USA RM Arts 1993. Note: Video.
• American Ballet Theatre. Gala: Black Swan, Tudor's The Leaves Are Falling, James Kudelka's Cruel World, Nacho Duato's Romanse, MacMillan's Romeo & Juliet, Don Quijote, Tippet's Bruch Violin Concerto USA,1998. Note: Video.

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