Course Syllabus

DANC 1720 Ballroom Technique I

Course Description

Stage exhibition, competitive, social, and career aspects of dance are introduced in this technique course. Students will improve posture and overall aesthetics, including lines, body shapes and contra-body movement position. Muscle tone, isolation, stretching and strengthening are core concepts at this stage of dance. Repeatable for credit.

Justification

Students who wish to extend their technique for competitions, exhibition, performance, or social ballroom dancing need technique courses in order to hone their talent. They need technical work that will challenge them physically, stretch them artistically, and expand their skill set to prepare them for all avenues of ballroom dance. It explores a combination of Bronze and Sliver Level International Standard Style Technique. This class is most similar to DANC 1710 and 271R International Ballroom Dance I and II in Ballroom Dance Styles at UVU.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Students will be able to display the proper ballroom technique.
2. Students will demonstrate knowledge of musicality, increased flexibility, strength, mental and physical dexterity, coordination, endurance, performance skills, appropriate leading/following partner work, and communicate a deep understanding of dance.
3. Students will increase knowledge of movement and movement's relationship to meaning.
4. Increase physical fitness: strength, flexibility, endurance, and coordination.

Course Content

Each Ballroom Technique I class will consist of warm-up and practice time, review of the steps or figures previously learned, introduction of new material, practice, and application of the new material, and individual practice and cool-down time.

Anatomy, physiology, vertical and horizontal motion and their influence on the overall aesthetics are discussed. Rhythm and musicality are examined.

Though its origins are generally European and American (North and South depending on the style) Ballroom as a performing art including competitions, performance, and creativity are taught and used world wide today. It accepts all people regardless of race, culture, or population, preference orientation or other. And because it is so universally accepted today, this course too will not descriminate based on race, culture, population, orientation, or any other grounds. It is designed to develop the individual (physically, mentally, and artistically) and to cultivate a safe environment of learning and fun.