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Course Syllabus

DANC 1130 Ballet II

  • Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New Media
  • Department: Dance
  • Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 2; Lecture: 2; Lab: 1
  • Repeatable: Yes.
  • Prerequisites: DANC 1100 or instructor approval or current enrollment in PE 2656
  • Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
  • Semester Approved: Fall 2022
  • Five-Year Review Semester: Spring 2028
  • End Semester: Summer 2028
  • Optimum Class Size: 15
  • Maximum Class Size: 25

Course Description

This course introduces students to the theory and practice of an intermediate classical ballet technique. It emphasizes discipline, posture, alignment, balance, and muscular control necessary for executing intermediate-level ballet barre and center exercises. Movement is presented utilizing demonstration, description, and exploration. This course is repeatable for credit.

Justification

Ballet technique is the foundation of Western European dance aesthetic and remains an important component of successful dance training. The analysis of physical movement and structure along with ballet dance vocabulary and quick assimilation of dance movement develop mental and physical dexterity. Self-observation through recording devices and choreographic prompts refines self-knowledge and sharpens critical thinking skills. This course is required for all Dance Majors and is intended to fill a credit requirement at four-year universities.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will acquire intermediate-level ballet technique skills.
  2. Students will develop critical thinking skills through observation and analysis of personal movement habits while displaying increased ability in areas of flexibility, strength, musicality, coordination, proprioception and endurance.
  3. Students will become familiar with the basic history of ballet and its contribution to the Western European dance forms.
  4. Students will analyze the relevance/application of ballet technique to a dance concert performance.

Course Content

Each class will have three essential components: warm-up, ballet exercises at the barre/center, and cool-down. Ballet exercises will emphasize proper alignment, balance, musicality, and turnout. In addition to the above, basic anatomy and physiology will be discussed as they apply to movement and help develop solutions to balance turn-out and other dance issues. Finally, through observation and written critiques, students will further refine their critical thinking skills and develop a further appreciation for concert dance.