
Dance 490 (3 credits)
Spring 2009
Instructor: Louis Gervais
Meeting Times: TTH 8:30-10:20
Location: Meany Studio 267
Office: Meany 59J
Office Hours: Tuesday from 10:30 – 11:30 or by appointment
E-mail: lgervais@u.washington.edu
Course Texts:
Natural Intelligence, Susan Aposhyan, at UW Bookstore
Reading Packet, Dance 490, pick up a copy at the copy center on University Way.
Course Description
Moving From Within is an exploration of movement that originates within the body. The first half of the course explores the body, its evolutionary story and natural states through a variety of somatic practices: Authentic Movement, Body Mind Centering, the Alexander Technique and Experiential Anatomy. Somatics are the study of the inter-relational process between awareness, biological function and environment, all three factors being understood as a synergistic whole.
The second half of the course moves out into space. Contact Improvisation follows a rolling point of touch. Skinner Releasing Technique and Butoh are dance forms that are connected to images held by dancers while in motion. Ecstatic Dance connects the inner psychological and spiritual landscape with a variety of rhythms.
Objectives
At the successful completion of this course students will:
• Create a new relationship with their physical selves by exploring a variety of somatic practices.
• Acquire a basic understanding of a variety of techniques and dance forms that may provide relaxation, centering and personal growth.
• Explore a topic within this spectrum of dance in depth in the hopes that it may provide them with a body based movement practice and/or community connection that will support them beyond the class.
• Feel confident to improvise and follow movement as it sequences from within to without.
• Find a means of connecting to creative resources.
Requirements and Grading
Studio Participation (50%)
Participation grades reflect the following:
• Regular participation is absolutely crucial in this class. This is considered a lab class. There is no substitute for the laboratory experience. If you are more than ten minutes late, you may not take class (please don’t ask me) but are encouraged to observe.
• Arriving on time or early so that you have time to focus and prepare to participate fully in class
• Taking risks in improvisation and being fully invested in exercises.
• Demonstrate commitment, enthusiasm, respect and support for fellow classmates.
Online Journal Responses (15%) Due Sunday night before midnight!!!
A blog has been set up for this course. Over the course of the semester, this blog will be the place where as a class we will share our thoughts and reactions to the course. You must post 10 blog entries to get full credit. Each entry must make reference to your reading for this course. Each blog entry is due on Sunday before midnight for the previous week of classes.
Questions will be posted after each class and your responses will be submitted electronically. Post your responses to the blog in the comments link below each blog entry. You must post a response to each blog entry within a week. The URL is http://www.movingfromwithin.blogspot.com/. These postings need not be overly long, no more than a paragraph. Clicking on "follow this blog" leads you to creating a prompt that will deliver reminders in your email when new assignments have been posted.
Contact Improvisation Project (15%) Due May 28, 2009.
Each student must attend four hours of contact improvisation jams outside of class. Field notes from these jams will be posted to the blog. Field notes are due May 28th.
Project of Choice (20%) Due June 2, 2009.
Students are required to engage in a project from the curriculum (or outside, if you have a special interest that ties in with the course). Students may work in pairs or by themselves. Follow the instructions on the project description of your choice. Written materials are due June 2. If you are doing a performance related project, these projects will happen on either June 4 or during the exam period.
ALL STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND THE FINAL EXAMINATION PERIOD!!!!
Attire and Changing
Bare feet or cotton socks may be worn for class, no shoes. You will want to wear warm comfortable clothes like sweat pants or pajamas. No jeans/slacks or excessive jewelry. Long hair should not be a distraction to you as you move or lie on the floor. Bring elastic bands or clips that are easy to put in and remove. If you are not prepared to dance, you will not be allowed to take class. You may change your clothes in the dressing rooms on the Lower Level. Please do not change in the restrooms on the Upper Level. You may secure your belongings by bringing a lock each day for a locker in the hallway outside of the studios. Locks MUST be removed after each class. Locks may be purchased for $5 from the Dance Office. DO NOT bring personal belongings into the studio. Shoes, clothes, purses, cell phones, etc were stolen every week last quarter. Lock up your belongings!!
MISCELLANEOUS
For this class, you will also need to bring a journal and markers. You will also need a pillow or blanket that you can store in the studio for the duration of the course.
Studio Etiquette
• Demonstrate an understanding of the class structure by arriving in the studio, on time, prepared for class
• Be respectful of your peers and instructor at all times.
• Receive and apply corrections in a respectful manner
• Work safely and effectively in class and allow others to do so
• Contribute to the classroom by applying focus, concentration and enthusiasm
• If you are unable to dance or have any injuries, please inform the instructor before class begins
• No oils, creams or lotions on exposed body or hair––they make the floor slippery and dangerous
• No food, gum or beverages are allowed in the studio with the exception of water bottles
• No personal belongings in the studio––NONE
To request academic accommodations due to disability, please contact Disabled Student Services, 448 Schmitz, (206) 543-8924, indicating that you have a disability that requires academic accommodations. Please present the letter to your instructor so we can discuss the accommodations you require.
Learning goals for the Dance Major
1. Understand dance as a cultural practice that reflects and impacts local communities and global cultures.
2. Develop and practice analytic, evaluative, and contextual skills requisite to critical thinking, kinesthetic understanding, and personal growth.
3. Develop and practice skills in rhythmic, movement and compositional analysis.
4. Develop effective communication and research skills to promote and articulate a deeper understanding of dance practice and theory.
5. Engage in personal assessment and reflective practices that encourage self-directed learning.
6. Understand how basic principles of dance science and teaching methodologies can be applied to technical and aesthetic development.
7. Recognize and expand creative, artistic, and intellectual potentials.
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