Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE DCS2020

 
TITLE Dance Techniques 2

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

 
MQF LEVEL 5

 
ECTS CREDITS 6

 
DEPARTMENT Dance Studies

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

Sessions focus on the performer's employment of the body as an expressive instrument through:
- Intermediate skills and practices of dance techniques and their application within improvisation, 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.

Study-Unit Aims:

This second technical training lab aims:

- To further train/educate the body in 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 of stylistic principles with coherence;
- To inculcate rhythmic, 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 ballet, contemporary dance, partnering, improvisation and release-based techniques;
- Execute given specific stylistic principles with coherence;
- Demonstrate spatial, dynamic and expressive range in a set study and in given choreography;
- Demonstrate commitment to develop and achieve the required practical skills in 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 demonstrate key concepts in dance techniques;
- Perform limited supervision;
- Prioritise and organise personal schedules, time management;
- Carry out self evaluation of personal musculo-skeletal structure, skills, abilities and motivations.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main Texts:

- 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. http://www.bedfordinteractive.org/DI2/mfsd.html
- Howse, Justin and Moira McCormack. 2009. Anatomy, Dance Technique and Injury Prevention. 4th ed. (London: Methuen Drama).

Supplementary Readings:

- Franklin, Erik. 1996. Dance Imagery for Dance Technique and Performance (USA: Human Kinetics).
- Franklin, Erik. 2004. Conditioning for Dance (USA: Human Kinetics).

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Practical and Tutorials

 
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 Sara Accettura

 

 
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