Download - Basic Ballet Syllabus (1)

5/27/2018 Basic Ballet Syllabus (1)

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Basic Ballet Syllabus

Spring 2014

THE 252Instructor: Elizabeth McGleam

Class: M/W 4:00-5:50pmHeininger Auditorium, Larrance Academic Center

Email: [email protected]

Office Hours: By Appointment

Course Description:

This course offers a concentration on ballet from an historical, theoretical, and performance

perspective. Focus will be placed on awareness of proper body alignment, terminology, bodypositions, and movement in and through space, with additional emphasis on balance, strength, &

flexibility. Each class will consist of the basics of ballet in barre and center work as well asmovements across the floor.

Course Objectives:

1. Develop an understanding of ballet as an art form

2. Identify, recall, describe and demonstrate positions, steps, and terminology presented in class3. Gain improved coordination, posture, and alignment

4. Increase flexibility, strength, control, and stamina5. Develop an awareness of musicality through movement6. Begin to discover performance qualities and artistic expression through movement

Course Requirements:

Attendance

Ballet is a participation based course that requires consistent attendance for improvement and

success. Students are required to be present for all of barre, center, across the floor work and

discussions. Students will earn 10 points for every class attended, for a possible total of 200points this term. Attendance/Participation grades will be posted on Blackboard on a weeklybasis.

Class will begin promptly at 4 pm. It is crucial for the safety of students to fully warm up at thebarre. Therefore, students who arrive 10 or more minutes late will not be able to participate and

will be asked to observe and make written observations for the entire class. These observations

should be at least one page in length and cover all work done in class, and general critiques of


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other students. Written observations should include proper terminology that is spelled correctly.

Notes will be turned in at the end of class for half credit. Two tardies will equal one absence.

** Note: There will be no class on Memorial Day, Monday May 26th

.

Participation

Regular attendance and participation are essential for the success of this course. Failure to fullyparticipate may result in a deduction of daily class points. Your participation will be based on

noticeable effort, and an improvement in technique.

Students who cannot participate due to a minor illness or injury will be asked to observe and

complete written observations for partial credit. Any students with contagious illnesses or fever

are asked to stay home.

Dress Code

A dress code is in place for the safety of all dancers and also for the ability to be able to see yourmuscles working properly. Please enter the classroom already properly dressed.

-All dancers must have ballet shoes

-A leotard and tights are expected for ladies (preferably black and pink)-Tights, a dance belt and a form fitting, solid colored t-shirt are expected for men

-Form fitting gym pants or shorts are also acceptable for males

-Form fitting warm ups can be worn if necessary during the first half of barre and thenmust be removed

-Short, solid black shorts or sheer ballet skirts are acceptable throughout all of class for

ladies if desired

-Hair must be completely secured off your face, preferably in a bun, clip, etc. Pony tailsare acceptable but can cause disruption during turning exercises

-Please remove all jewelry

Students are required to acquire appropriate attire by the third class. Failure to do so may result

in a deduction of daily class points. If a student does not come to class with proper attire, they

may be asked to observe.

There is no food or drink allowed in class besides water bottles. No gum is allowed. Please turn

off cell phones before entering the classroom.

Written Expectations

Physical effort along with written reflections will contribute to your success in this course.Students will be required to submit a one page journal reflection every Monday by the start of

class. Reflections will be on the past weeks classes. Formal writing is not required. A more

detailed description of journal expectations is attached. Journal entries are 5 points each, totaling50 points. Late or incomplete entries will result in a deduction of points.


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Exams

Students will have both a midterm and final exam and each will include a written and

performance portion. The written portion of each exam will emphasis ballet terminology andpositions. Students will be given handouts outlining the terms and positions they will beresponsible for. The performance portion will be videotaped and viewed as a class to allow

students to view their progress from the midterm to the final. The midterm and final will

constitute of 100 total points each: 50 written and 50 performance.

Grading

There is a total of 450 possible points

200Attendance

50Ten Journal Submissions

100Midterm Exam

100Final Exam

450 total

Grading Scale

93%-100% A 77%-79% C+

90%-92% A- 73%-76% C

87%-89% B+ 70%-72% C-83%-86% B 60%-69% D

80%-82% B- Below 60% F

*Please Note: Tactile teaching will be used for this course; this method involves the use of

touch. If any student feels that he/she is uncomfortable with this aspect of the technique class,

please see me immediately. This may be communicated through written note or email to the

instructor. All information will be kept confidential.

Students with pre-existing medical conditions and/or injuries should inform the instructor

immediately. If you become injured during the semester, it is mandatory that you seek professionalmedical advice.

Students with documented disabilities and require accommodations in order to obtain equal access in thiscourse, please contact the instructor at the beginning of the semester.


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Please feel free to contact me at any time with questions or concerns. This can be done before or

after class or through email. Appointments may be made for longer conversations. Have a great

term!

Journal Expectations

As stated in your syllabus, you are required to keep a weekly journal that you will turn in

every Monday. Journals must be a total of one page in length, and must be submitted by email

before class has begun on Mondays. Each journal entry is worth a total of 5 points, totaling in 50

points for the entire term. Grades for journal entries will be posted in Blackboard.Many things can be covered in your journals, and it is up to you what you would like to

focus on each week. Here are just a few ideas:

- A step that youre struggling with and ideas as to how you can improve on it- A connection you made between one exercise and another, and how it can benefit you and

help you improve

- A connection youve made between ballet and acting or ballet and the outside world- A term that youre having trouble understanding- An explanation of an exercise you feel youve have improved on and why- Insight on your muscle memory and how it can work for or against you- Any obscure muscle soreness or pain that youre concerned about- Any questions or concerns you may haveId like your journals to be a free flow of thoughts. They do need to be complete

sentences and use correct terminology, however. It should be an honest reflection of the past

weeks work, and hopefully how it has affected you outside of the studio. As we move from week

to week, your journal should guide you into how you approach the next weeks class. It should

act as a reminder of what youd like to improve on, and hopefully a plan of how you can getthere. It is also a tool to communicate with me about what your goals are, and how I can help you

achieve them. Journals are completely confidential and will not be discussed in class.

**The first weeks journal will be due Wednesday April 2ndand will be an introduction

of yourself, description of any prior training, and what you are looking to gain from this class.

Following journal entries will be due every Monday, including Memorial Day, even though class

will not meet.

As always, let me know if you have any questions!