Time Schedule:
Deborah Helen Birrane
B CUSP 197
Bothell Campus
Develops skills in a variety of studio arts in order to enhance student ability as a performer, arts creator, educator, or in applied areas of creativity.
Class description
Studio Arts - This course is an introduction to modern dance based on the Bill Evans Technique (not the musician but the dancer). You will discover not only how the body moves both with a technical facility but also how movement supports you every moment in your life. You will experience your movement and living potentinals creatively through structured improvisation, dance combinations and thoughtful moments of discussions with classmates. Also, by participating in and by viewing modern dance, you will discover the breadth of what modern dance is, what its meaning is for you and, discover what its place in the Arts world is.
Student learning goals
To develop the body as a "tool for dance" and for life, (gaining skills in flexibility, coordination, strength, balance, alignment, stamina).
To provide the opportunity to explore a wide range of the movement conceptsof dance: space, force, flow, time and weight. To build upon this vocabulary, be able to demonstrate it and explain it to peers.
To provide an opportunity for creative problem solving. Students will work together to create compositions and improvisations developing teamwork, cooperation and problem solving skills while individual choices, persoanl aesthetics and interdisciplinary learning is encouraged.
To build a movement memory, (the ability to remember movements and sequences and perform them with ease and confidence). This is truly a benefit for life long living!
To develop a clearer understanding of what modern dance is - to create meaning and discover meaning for you.
To gain self-esteem, enjoy dance as a lifelong activity, and appreciate the art form.
General method of instruction
Dance class provides for students to learn in a variety of learning styles: Seeing, Hearing, Touching, Sensing, Feeling. Students are constantly observing - working with their perceptions and transferring that information to their bodies. Verbal cues are abundant in class - technical guidance for learing the foundation of movement and descriptive, creative language for layering the movement with more intention. The sense of touch allows for students to receive proprioceptive feedback for movement sequences that are very new to their way of thinking. Overall method: SEE, HEAR AND DO!
Recommended preparation
This is a beginning course, come as you are - no experience necessary. All levels, however, are welcomed. Even if you have some experience, a lot of this information may be new or presented differently so, come join us and experience dance, again, in a new way!
Class assignments and grading
Class assignments include: Attending a professional modern dance concert and then, writing a Reflection paper; Observing movement patterns in people, in your home community, followed by a paper based on your observations in respect to vocabulary and movement experiences gained in class. Your Final will be based on in-class work.
Class participation is 70% of the final grade as this is an "activity" course. The only way to learn dance is by being in class and being fully present and engaged. The remaining 30% of your grade is based on the reading and writing assignments.
