DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND KINESIOLOGY
MISSISSIPPI UNIVERSITY FOR WOMEN

 

HK 115       DANCE SURVEY                  Spring Semester

 

 

SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS:      1                                             

 

CATALOG DESCRIPTION:  The study and practice of three forms of dance.  Included are the American forms of square, round and long-way dances, and folk dances of various countries; the influence of societal customs on dance.  Current fad western dances are also introduced.

 

PREREQUISITE:      NONE

 

TEXT: DANCE A WHILE, Harris, Pittman, Waller; seventh ed.  New York:

                        Macmillan Publishing Co.  Text is not required.

 

NATURE OF COURSE CONTENT:   The purpose of this course is to acquaint the student with the historical and cultural place of folk and square dance in past and present societies; to learn basic folk and square dance steps and formations; to perform and to teach folk, square and the new fad dances.

 

 

GOALS/OUTCOMES:   By the end of this course, the student should be able to:

 

1.  perform the 5 basic dance steps of waltz, polka, two-step, schottische, and mazurka at a criterion referenced level.  

2.  perform selected folk dances to a criterion referenced level.                                     

3.  perform the progressive basic movements of square dance from beginner through intermediate at a criterion referenced level.               

4.  perform fad western dances at a criterion referenced level.                           

5.  perform differing dance positions and formations through the folk, square, and fad western dances.                                                         

6.  utilize through the learning of dances the knowledge of beat, meter, & rhythm.          

 


 

ADDITIONAL OBJECTIVES FOR HK MAJORS:

 

1.  teach a selected folk dance to a peer group.            

2.  recognize and understand the basic elements of a square dance -opener; main figure; break; closing; and patter/singing calls.                         

3.  analyze, teach and understand the progressive basic movements of square dance from beginner through intermediate level.                          

4.  be able to teach and dance from the female and male role positions.                         

5.  evaluate electronic equipment for the teaching of dance: i.e.  record players;  records;  sound systems;  cassette players;  tapes;  and CD's.            

 

REQUIREMENTS OF THE COURSE:

 

1.         This is a laboratory class.  Students are expected to attend and fully participate in all classes. You cannot learn to dance without attending.   

 

2.         Students must wear clothing appropriate for activity and athletic shoes.

 

3.         Students are responsible for acquisition of material covered on days when they are absent. Prior arrangements must be made with the instructor if absence from a test is unavoidable.

 

4.         At all times students are expected to show respect and courtesy for the instructor and classmates.  Please keep in mind that excessive talking among      students during class interferes with the learning experience of others as well as distracting the instructor.

 

5.         Please turn off all cell phones and pagers prior to entering the classroom. 

 

6.         Criterion referenced skill tests will be given at mid-semester and at the end of the semester - each worth 50 points. 

Criterion Reference - Specific Objective 3

                        a.  Music beat recognition

                        b.  Step pattern recognition and performance

c.       Performance of basic step pattern to rhythm and beat

Criterion Reference - Specific Objective 1

                        a.  Recognition of music for specific folk dance

b.  Performance of each figure of folk dance in progressive order and to  proper beat/time with music.

    

6.                  A written test on dance movements, formations, positions, and history will be given at mid-semester - worth 50 points.

 

7.                  A music recognition written test will be given at the end of the semester – worth 50 points.

 

8.                  All students will supply two 90-minute new cassette tapes.  These tapes will be dubbed with music used in class and students may use them for outside practice.

                       

 

 

SCHEDULE OF TOPICS AND ASSIGNMENTS:

 

Week one                                Intro. to class; Begin learning the components of Square Dancing.

 

            Weeks three & four                  Finish learning Square Dance components.

                                               

Weeks five and six                    Review and practice square dances                   .

                       

            Week seven                             Performance and Written tests on Square Dance. 

 

            Week eight                              Fad Dances

 

Week nine                                Begin learning components of Folk Dance.

           

 

Week ten                                 Learn dances with the schottische step.  Review

 

Week eleven                            Learn dances with the waltz step.  Review 

 

Week twelve                            Learn dances with the mazurka step.  Review

 

Week thirteen                           Learn dances with the polka step.  Review all dances

 

            Week fourteen                          Folk Dance Performance and Music Recognition Tests

 

            Week fifteen                             Fad Dances

 

           

 

 

TEACHING METHODS:

 

            Explanation and Demonstration

            Skill Practice

            Lecture and Discussion

            Assessment of skills and knowledge

 

 

 

GRADING POLICY:

            Students may earn up to:           100 points (3.5 points per day) for class participation.

                                                            100 points for skill level attained.

                                                            100 points on the written tests.

            Total possible points:                300

 

            The final grade will be determined as follows.

                        270 - 300 = A

                        240 - 269 = B

                        210 - 239 = C

                        180 - 209 = D

                        <180        = F

 

Students with disabilities:
Reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities will be made. It is the responsibility of individuals with disabilities to notify the instructor so that necessary and appropriate modifications can be implemented.