Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE DCS2002

 
TITLE Dance Techniques Lab 4

 
UM LEVEL 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 5

 
ECTS CREDITS 5

 
DEPARTMENT Dance Studies

 
DESCRIPTION The study-unit culminates the technique classes, practice-led anatomy workshops and discussion sessions, further exploring concepts of dance performance in relation to the field of professional contemporary and new dance practice, focussing too on more specific anatomical and physiological systems and their adaptation to dance practice and fitness training.

The performer's employment of the body as an expressive instrument through:

- Intermediate/advanced skills and practices of dance techniques and their application within improvisation structures, directed choreographies and in the creative process.
- Development, understanding and execution of stylistic principles.
- Development of performance persona.
- High level of rhythm, musicality, principles of effort/shape, anatomical clarity.
- Group sensitivity and spatial awareness.
- Awareness and embodiment of specific choreographic factors.

Illustrating the adaptation of the anatomical and physiological systems of the body to good practice in dance.

The student will be expected to demonstrate a high level of continuous commitment to achieve and develop the necessary practical skills required by tutor-choreographed set studies, and through contribution to student choreographic assignments. Formative feedback will be given throughout the unit.

Study-unit Aims:

This technical training lab aims:

- To further train/educate the body to master a range of different techniques.
- To further develop principles of training and good practice through knowledge of anatomy and physiology.
- To help the student execute a range stylistic principles with coherence and clarity, including reconstructions of the work of chosen choreographers.
- To inculcate spatial, dynamic and expressive range in performance, with group awareness.
- To maintain commitment to achieve and develop the necessary practical skills for dance and performance.
- To enable students to recognise and evaluate factors which influence their own personal effectiveness in performance.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

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

- Master further skills developed in a range of different techniques as required;
- Demonstrate and apply principles of good practice through knowledge of anatomy and physiology;
- Execute given specific stylistic principles with coherence and clarity, including reconstructions of given choreography;
- Demonstrate rhythmic, spatial, dynamic and expressive range in various choreographic studies;
- Demonstrate commitment to achieve and further develop the necessary practical skills for dance and performance;
- Recognise and evaluate factors which influence their own personal effectiveness in performance and demonstrate these in written log form.

2. Skills:

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

- Describe, define and use key concepts in dance techniques;
- Perform under direction, autonomously, and with limited supervision;
- Prioritise and organise personal schedules, time management;
- Self evaluation of personal musculo-skeletal structure, skills, abilities and motivations.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

- Bales, Melanie and Rebecca Nettl-Fiol. 2008. The Body Eclectic: Evolving Practices in Dance Training (Urbana and Chicago: University of Illinois).
- Bedford Interactive. 2003. Motifs for a Solo Dancer : Improving Dance Performance. - Chippinger, Karen. 2016. Dance Anatomy and Kinesiology, sec. ed. (USA: Human Kinetics).
- Franklin, Eric. 1996. Dance Imagery for Dance Technique and Performance (USA: Human Kinetics).
- Franklin, Eric. 2004. Conditioning for Dance (USA: Human Kinetics).
- Horosko, Marian. 2002. Martha Graham: The Evolution of Her Dance Theory and Training, sec. ed. (Florida: University Press of Florida).
- Howse, Justin. & Moira McCormack. 2009. Anatomy, Dance Technique and Injury Prevention, 4th ed. (London: Methuen Drama).
- Kostelanetz, Richard. (ed) 1992. Merce Cunningham: Dance in Space and Time (London: Dance Books).
- Marieb, Elaine N. 2014. Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology, 11th ed. (England: Pearson).
- McArdle, William D., Frank I. Katch & Victor L Katch. 2014. Exercise Physiology: Nutrition, Energy and Human Performance, 8th ed. (Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins).
- Nagrin, Daniel. 1997. The Six Questions: Acting Technique for Dance Performance (Pittsburgh, Pa. : University of Pittsburgh Press).
- Tortora, Gerard J. & Bryan H. Derrickson. 2014. Principles of Anatomy and Physiology, 14th ed. (New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons).

 
ADDITIONAL NOTES Pre-requisite Study-unit: DCS2001

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Independent Study, Performance & Practicum

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Logbook SEM2 Yes 20%
Performance Ballet SEM2 Yes 40%
Performance Contemporary SEM2 Yes 40%

 
LECTURER/S Dorian Mallia
Francesca Tranter
Margaret Jean Westby

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit