SYLLABUS
BEGINNING BALLROOM DANCE 013-V / 013-I

SPRING 1998


Instructors:

Dr. Patricia Smiley
Sandra Dvorak Heiser
Chante Turnbow

OFFICE: Acker 115

PHONE: 898-6120

OFFICE HOURS:
(Patricia) Mon. 12- 1 pm and 4- 5 pm. Tues-Thurs 12:15-1 pm. Wed. 1-2 pm.


CLASS TIME:

Class begins at five minutes past the hour: Student should be prepared by having shoes off, backpacks against the south wall, name tag in place.

TEXT:

Required:

BALLROOM DANCE GUIDE: First Steps - Counting 5-6-7-8. (Smiley, 1996). May be purchased in the bookstore.

Optional:

SELECTED READINGS:

Selected scholarly readings will be assigned during the semester. (Readings are listed in the syllabus). The student will gain knowledge of the history and multi-cultural influences in ballroom dance. The student will also develop skills and social graces in ballroom dance that allows them the opportunity to perform dance on the dance floor. Professional behavior of students is expected at all times. Working cooperatively with peers. kindness and patience is inherent in learning to ballroom dance. Treat others as you would want to be treated.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

As per the commission on Teacher Credentialing for the State of California (CTC Standards), student outcomes will be achieved through these course objectives.

Aesthetic:

  1. Develop a personal dance understanding and vocabulary for describing and valuing ballroom dance as both an art form and recreational activity.
  2. Engage in new dance experiences by participating in the dances and working cooperatively with others.
  3. View ballroom dance as an art via video and guest class demonstrations.

Criticism:

  1. Observe, analyze, and judge movement sequences in the various ballroom dance styles.
  2. Knowledge of rhythmic tempos used in ballroom dance. For the intermediate level knowledge and recognition of syncopated rhythms.
  3. Competence in matching music to dance styles.

History:

  1. Knowledge of ethnic influences in ballroom dance.
  2. Investigate and research the ethnic origin of one dance. Perform the style steps from that dance.

Performance:

  1. Competence of fundamental movement skills (step-hop-slide-grapevine, pivot).
  2. Execute 5-10 beginning steps (variations) for each form of ballroom dance, (also includes proper use of space on the dance floor).
  3. Create a sequence of beginning movement patterns for each ballroom dance.
  4. Demonstrate ability to lead (men) and follow (woman). Working cooperatively with others.
  5. Recognize the difference between recreational and competitive style of ballroom dance.

COURSE CONTENT:

  1. Ballroom dance will be instructed through lecture, assignment of selected readings, live demonstration, video, and film. Please, no hats worn during class; this pertains to proper social etiquette. Students, at all times, will maintain professional behavior in class. Lack of professional behavior will result in points deducted (as determined by the instructor).
  2. Knowledge will be assessed through readings and worksheets. Skill assessment will be done several times during the semester. See attached course schedule for details.
  3. Dances taught during the semester:

      Fox Trot Samba Country Western: may include;
      Swing Tango Country Swing
      Cha-Cha Rumba Cotton Eye Joe
      Waltz Country 2 step
      Southside Shuffle
      Selected Line Dances

    4. Attend and critique an outside dance event. This event can be sponsored by the Ballroom Dance Club at CSUC or the Chico Dance Club (community club). Many events are sponsored during the semester. Look on the 204 bulletin board for details. Plan early during the semester!

GRADING:

Testing and assessment of knowledge and skill developed will be conducted throughout the semester. Regular attendance is mandatory to accumulate points for a grade.

  1. Quizzes will be given to test knowledge of rhythms in ballroom dance. 15 points.
  2. Worksheets will be assigned to assess knowledge of variations and action counts for steps. 25 points.
  3. Mid Term exams: Performance test on style, technique, and rhythmic skills on selected ballroom dances. Two exams, total 20 points (10 each).
  4. Final exam: Performance test on style, technique, and rhythmic skills for all ballroom dances.

No make up for testing if you do not attend class that day.

Grade of A:

Grade of B:

Grade of C:

Grade of D:

Grade of F:

ADD AND DROP DATES are strictly enfored by the PHED Dept. Spring is Feb 6.

SELECTED READINGS:

Assignments will be made throughout the semester for the readings listed below. These may be found in the reserve section of the library, under the instructor's name.

Smiley, P. (1996). Ballroom Dance Guide. First Steps - Counting 5-6-7-8. Historical/ Multi-cultural, pp. 1-4.. Review each dance section as we progress in developing the required skills necessary to sequence movement.

Harris, J; Pittman, A; & Waller, M. (1994). Multi-cultural: Handbook for Ballroom Dance. History and Cultural Significance, pp. 1-20.

Garder, H. (19 ). Pedagogy. The Seven Intelligence's, pp.

State Board of Education. (1996) Visual and Performing Arts Framework.

Multi-cultural. pp. 1-35.

Wheeler, M. (1996). Pedagogy: Ballroom Dance. JOPERD article.


SCHEDULE

NOTE: The following schedule may change during the semester. The weekly outline may vary with each instructor. Pacing and progression of steps depend on the individual classes, skill level of students etc.

Week 1 Introduction to Ballroom Dance
Demonstration of the art forms of Ballroom Dance
Week 2 Introduction to Swing. Worksheet #1 due: Ballroom History
Week 3 Continue Swing
Introduction to Fox Trot
Week 4 Oral Quiz on Swing and Fox Trot
Continue Fox Trot
Week 5 Skill Test #1 - Swing
Introduction to Waltz
Worksheet #2 due (Swing and Fox Trot)
Week 6 Continue Waltz
Week 7 Skill Test #2 Fox Trot
Introduction to Cha-Cha
Week 8 Continue Cha-Cha
Week 9 Mid-Term: performance and written exam on Fox Trot, Swing and Waltz
Worksheet #3 due (Waltz and Cha-Cha)
Week 10 Country Western Week. Country Swing plus Line Dances
Week 11 Introduction to Tango
Oral Quiz on Waltz and Cha-Cha
Week 12 Skill Test #3 Cha-Cha
Continue Tango
Week 13 Winter Break/Spring Break
Week 14 Introduction to Rumba
Review and Line Dances
Worksheet #4 due (Tango and Rumba)
Week 15 Mid-Term: performance and written exam on Cha-Cha, Tango, Country Western dances
Continue Rumba
Introduction to Samba
BALLROOM DANCE NIGHT: Date TBA
Week 16 Introduction to intermediate variations for dances
Skill Test
Worksheet #5 due: Evaluation/Analysis of Ballroom
Week 17 Final -- Fri May 22, 12 - 2 pm.

DANCES AND VARIATIONS

CHA-CHA

Basic
Front Crossover
Back Crossover
1/2 Turn
Full Turn
Full Turn (from Front Crossover)
Rock Step
Front Crossover/Underarm turn

SWING

2 Hand Hold
4 Hand Hold
Single Turn (Woman & Man)
Double Turn
Skin the Cat
Dishrag
Pretzel
Reverse Pretzel
Tuck Turns
Wrap Around
Wrap Around - roll out

FOXTROT

Balance Step (forward and back)
Phonebooth
Forward Progression
Backward Progression
Conversation
1/4 Turn
Woman underarm turn
Man underarm turn
Double cross

TANGO

Forward & Backward Progressions
Balance
Conversation
1/4 Turn
Triple Cross
Dip (Corte)
Woman (Underarm Turn)
Man (Underarm Turn)
Corté
Grande Corté

RUMBA

Forward & Backward Progressions
Box Step
Woman Underarm Turn
Man Underarm Turn
Forward Scissor
Hip to Hip

WALTZ

Balance Step
Forward & Backward (Progressions)
Scissor (Forward and Backward)
Woman - Underarm Turn
Man - Underarm Turn
Box Step
Turning Box Step
Hip to Hip

SAMBA

Balance Step
Forward - Backward (Progressions)
Scissor
Man Underarm Turn
Woman Underarm Turn

OTHER DANCES

Polka
Country Western Dances such as:

Cotton Eye Joe
South Side Shuffle
Western Electric Slide


DANCE CRITIQUE

Dr. Patricia Smiley

CRITIQUE FOR OUTSIDE DANCE

EVENTS AND VIDEO and WORKSHOPS

This is a sample guide to help you critique the event you attended or participated in. Must be two typed pages.

A. PERFORMANCE

  1. State the title of the event, place, and date.
  2. What styles of dance did you observe? (Jazz, Modern, Ballet, Tap, Ballroom, Folk, Ethnic?)
  3. If you observed or participated in Ballroom, what dances did you recognize? Describe. What new steps did you learn?
  4. Did you enjoy watching (or participating) in the event? Why? Can you select a favorite dance from the event or concert? Why?
  5. Describe specific special lighting effects or costumes that enhanced the performance. Any special props that enhanced the performance?
  6. Describe how the stage space was used in your favorite dance. (Hints: all or part of the stage, any entrances and exits.)
  7. Analyze the events strengths and weaknesses giving specific examples.
  8. Describe the performers: audience appeal, enthusiasm, energy, technique, etc.
  9. CONCLUSION: State, in a concluding paragraph, your general reaction to the event that you observed or participated in, as summarized by facts mentioned above.

B. BALLROOM DANCE: VIDEO ASSIGNMENT

Go to the video section of the library and look under the name Patricia Smiley. Find the call number for the ballroom dance video you wish to watch. There are several videos (approximately 1 1/2 hours each).

Assignment:

Preview one video from beginning to end.

Critique 1-1/2 to 2 pages (typed) on the following areas:

  1. What dances did you like best? Name the dances and state your reasons for choosing those dances.
  2. What information did you find interesting regarding the history or style of a particular dance (or dances)?
  3. Comment on the various costumes you observed. Why do you think a costume is styled for a particular dance? (i.e. Latin, Waltz, Quick Step).
  4. Which style of dance was least interesting for you to watch? Why?
  5. You are a journalist with a newspaper column. Write a paragraph that would inform your readers about the video you just previewed. You think it is a hot video and you want to win over your readers and have them buy it.
  6. General reaction to your experience in viewing the video. (Was it educational? Were historical facts interesting? Have you seen this style of competition before?)

C. WORKSHOPS (Student participates in the event)

  1. Name the event, date and time of the workshop.
  2. What style of dance did you learn?
  3. What was your favorite part of the class and why?
  4. What special teaching hint did you learn that helped your dancing style or technique?
  5. Describe the class format.
  6. State in a paragraph, your general reaction to the class.