VISPFA-DCS1013-SEM2-A-2024-5-F - L-Università ta' Malta

Course Title

DCS1013 - The Healthier Performer

MQF Level

Duration and Credits

Semester 2

5 ECTS

Mode of Study

Part-Time Day

Information for International applicants

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Please check your eligibility to join this short course and time-tabling details with the School of Performing Arts. The short course will only be delivered subject to a minimum number of applications being received.

This study-unit serves to expand students’ knowledge of anatomy and physiology and its application to dance/movement practice and safe dance practice. ‘Healthier Dancer’ practices and selected areas of Dance Science will be introduced on this study-unit.

The study-unit will also complement and enhance all practical work undertaken within other areas of the performing arts curriculum, through the development of the students’ functional understanding of the muscular skeletal system and a further understanding of the specific demands placed on the dancer/performer body and mind. This study-unit will also introduce the concepts of mental skills training and use of imagery to enhance performance.

Study-Unit Content

Postural assessment;
Functional anatomy and physiology: muscular skeletal system, nervous system, endocrine and respiratory systems;
Movement terminology and analysis;
Body based practices and techniques such as yoga, tai chi, pilates and how they support dance training;
Fitness;
Nutrition and hydration;
Common dance injuries;
Hypermobility: asset or liability?;
Mental skills training for dancers;
Dynamic alignment (Franklin method, Ideokinesis).

Main Reading List

Blakey, Paul. 1992. The Muscle Book (Stafford: Bibliotek Books)
Calais-Germain, B. 1993. Anatomy of Movement (Eastland Press, Seattle)
Clippinger, K. 2007. Dance Anatomy & Kinesiology (Human Kinetics)
Franklin, Eric. 1996. Dance Imagery for Dance Technique and Performance (Human Kinetics)
Franklin, Eric. 2004. Conditioning for Dance (Human Kinetics)
Koutedakis, Y and N. C. C. Sharp. 1999. The Fit and Healthy Dancer (Chichester: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)
McArdle, D. M., F. I. Katch and V L Katch. 2001. Exercise, Physiology, Energy, Nutrition and Human Performance, (London: Lea and Febiger)
Myers, Thomas. 2001. Anatomy Trains (London: Churchill Livingstone)

Supplementary Reading List

Arnheim, D.. 1986. Dance Injuries: Their Prevention and Care (London: Dance Books Ltd.)
Bales, M. and R Nettl-Fiol. 2008. The Body Eclectic: Evolving Practices in Dance Training (Urbana and Chicago, University of Illinois)
Cash, Mel. 2000. Pocket Atlas of the Moving Body (London: Ebury Press)
Howse, Justin and Moira McCormack. 2009. Anatomy, Dance Technique and Injury Prevention (London: Methuen Drama)
King, M. 2000. Pure Pilates: Ultimate Body Sculpting (London: Mitchell Beazley)
Laws, H. 2005. Fit to Dance 2. (Dance UK)
Laws, K. 1984. The Physics of Dance (London: Collier MacMillan)
Robinson L. and G. Thomson. 1997. Body Control: The Pilates Way (London: Pan Books)
Solomon, John, Ruth Solomon, and Sandra Cerny Minton 2005. Preventing Dance Injuries, 2nd ed. (Human Kinetics)
Sweigard, Lulu. 1974. Human Movement Potential, (London: Harper Row)
Todd, Mabel. 1968. The Thinking Body, (Pennington: Princeton Book. Co)
Tortora, G. J. and B. Derrickson. 2006. Principles of Anatomy and Physiology, 11th edn. (Chichester: John Wiley and Sons)

Study-unit Aims

To extend students’ understanding of the science of the body and its relation to injury prevention;
To develop students’ ability to work safely and effectively in the studio;
To extend and enhance students’ technical and anatomical understanding of movement within the context of dance and movement techniques.

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge and Understanding

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

Identify the skeletal and muscular structures of the body;
Illustrate how this relates to injury prevention in dance and movement practice;
Differentiate between a range of anatomical differences and body types;
Demonstrate an increased awareness of technical and / or physical limitations within dance technique and how to facilitate improvement;
Classify and utilize ‘safe’ dance practice, effective warm-up & cool-down principles;
Employ the basic building blocks of nutrition and energy expenditure as related to performance.

Learning Outcomes: Skills

Self knowledge and responsibility:
By demonstrating a knowledge and demonstrate skills in the following areas: Understanding of their own bodies and being able to apply this to dance technique and performance.
Research and information-gathering:
Showing competence in research and information literacy using both traditional and electronic sources.
Communication skills:
Presenting informally in class and in the preparation of portfolios for assessment.
Inter-personal skills:
The ability to work towards preparing a presentation as part of a group both self-directed and managing the work of others.

Non EU Applicants:

EUR325

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Micro-credentials offer the possibility of providing flexible learning pathways to respond to evolving needs and new developments, thus enabling students to tailor their studies to their needs. Micro-credentials may be combined or transferred into larger credentials, such as certificates, diplomas and degrees, provided that the relevant programme requirements are met. Applicants wishing to transfer micro-credentials to a programme of study are encouraged to seek the advice of the relevant academic entity.