Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

Faculty of Education and Arts

School: WA 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

  Related Physical Disciplines 3

• Unit Code

  DAN3232

• Year

  2015

• Enrolment Period

  2

• Version

  1

• Credit Points

  10

• Full Year Unit

  Y

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  

Description

In this unit, students study a diversity of dance styles and related physical practices in such areas as Fencing, Spanish dance, Circus Skills, Tap, Jazz and Indian dance. The studies are designed to complement, support and enrich the core study programs in ballet and contemporary dance. They provide a breadth of training and a level of multi-skilling so essential to contemporary performance. As such the disciplines offered respond to prevailing trends in the industry, most notably from an intercultural perspective which embraces both new approaches to performances and traditional intercultural skills. Currently studies include Yoga, Circus Skills, Jazz, Martial Arts and Aerial. The importance of physical, social and cultural sustainability relating to artform practice and professional career paths is also embraced in this unit through: the choice of repertoire; engagement with industry partners; building social and cultural confidence via exposure to diverse performance environments locally, nationally, regionally and internationally.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 1 unit from DAN2132

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Appreciate forms outside the traditional Western dance canon of both ballet and contemporary.
2. Articulate the basic principles of alignment and functionality involved in the exercises.
3. Build on the acquisition of basic skills in a variety of physical disciplines other than ballet and contemporary.
4. Demonstrate a grasp of the terminology, the history and cultural content basic to the discipline.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of two different disciplines from a range of Fencing, Spanish Dance, Circus Skills, Tap, Jazz, Aerial, Yoga, Martial Arts and Indian Dance.
6. Design, set and teach with an increasing level of detail classroom exercises using technical terms and describing the functional and meaning-making aspects of the exercise.
7. Engage in self-assessment processes that indicate an informed level of critical analysis of the technique.
8. Execute rhythmic and spatial precision in performance.
9. On the culmination of the unit, the student should be able to:
10. Perform sequences or equivalent performance that demonstrates the particular style of the discipline.

Unit Content

1. A wide range of contrasting rhythmic and a-rhythmic structures in class work and performance.
2. Intercultural nature of the physical experience.
3. Physical attributes common across disciplines.
4. Physical attributes which are discrete to a particular discipline.
5. Presentation of complex culturally specific rhythmic patterns, eg Indian and Spanish dance.
6. The transfer and application of physical information from one area of physical expertise to another, and understanding what is common and what is discrete to each style.
7. To exercises and sequences demonstrating the embodiment and awareness to the particular dynamics of the discipline: eg, the rhythmic footwork and castanet playing required in Spanish dance, the polyrhythmic of jazz isolations, the breath driven control and thrusts of martial arts and the swing and suspension of rhythms of aerial work.
8. Transforming mathematical structures into meaningful musical phrasing and its integration into performance.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Practical classes. Demonstrational. Performances.

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.

Due to the professional competency skill development associated with this Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities is compulsory. Students failing to meet participation standards as outlined in the unit plan may be awarded an I Grade (Fail - incomplete). Students who are unable to meet this requirement for medical or other reasons must seek the approval of the unit coordinator.

Text References

• Venkataraman, L. (2002). Indian classical dance: Tradition in transition. New Delhi: Roli Books.
• Singleton, M. (2010). Yoga body: The origins of modern posture practice. Oxford: Oxford University Press. (Electronic resource).
• Sarkar, M.U. (Ed.). (2005). Time and space in Asian context: Contemporary dance in Asia. Kolkata, West Bengal: World Dance Alliance.
• Hill, C.V. (2000). Brotherhood in rhythm: The jazz tap dancing of the Nicholas brothers. New York: Oxford University Press.
• Hayes, M.H. (2009). Flamenco: Conflicting histories of the dance. Jfferson, NC: McFarland & Co.
• Charsley, S., & N., & Kadekar, L. (Eds.). (2006). Performers and the arts; Folk, popular and classical genres in a changing India. London: Routledge.
• Hong Kong Dance Alliance. (2006). Dance education conference: Imagining the future: Dance education in the 21st century. Hong Kong: Conference Proceedings.