Course Syllabus

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KINESIOLOGY, ATHLETICS & DANCE                         Spring 2024

Dance 14.1, 14.2, 14.3- Contemporary Dance I-III combined with 

Dance 16.1, 16.2, 16.3- Modern Dance I-III 

Sections:  5714, 5719, 5726, 5695, 7326, 5690                           

Class Days/Hours: TTH, 5:00-6:20 pm, Analy Village, room 640, Santa Rosa Campus

Instructor:  Carrie Stillman      E-mail: cstillman@santarosa.edu        

Office: Analy Village, room 643   

Office Hours:  TTH 8:00-8:30 pm or by appointment on zoom or phone     

KAD Office Phone: 522-2621

Final Exam Date:  TUESDAY May 21st,  4:00-6:45 pm, Analy Village, Rm. 640

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  

Dance 14.1-14.3 & 16.1-16.3-

This course is for various levels of dancers with limited to low-intermediate prior Contemporary &/or Modern dance training. Emphasis is on beginning through intermediate Contemporary & Modern dance skills in the areas of technique and movement vocabulary, as well as the use of space, time, and energy. This course will include basic through intermediate Contemporary & Modern dance improvisation, choreography, and performance skills.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES-

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Dance 14.1-14.3:

1. Execute and analyze (Level I) contemporary dance sequences using applicable dance vocabulary.

2.  Perform (Level I) contemporary dance choreography applying (Level I) techniques, musicality and performance skills.

3. Choreograph a beginning, advanced beginning, low-intermediate, or intermediate Contemporary dance combination.

Dance 16.1-16.3:

1. Execute and analyze beginning, advanced beginning, low-intermediate, or intermediate modern dance sequences using applicable dance vocabulary.

2. Perform beginning, advanced beginning, low-intermediate, or intermediate modern dance choreography.

3. Choreograph a beginning, advanced beginning, low-intermediate, or intermediate modern dance combination.

Link to the Course Outlines that include more in-depth Course Descriptions and Student Learning Outcomes and other information:  Course Outlines Page

Course Web Site

Students will use the Canvas course web site for assignment instructions, submitting assignments, posting class videos/pictures, sharing resources, and viewing grades. Use your SRJC Portal ID and passcode to log into Canvas: https://canvas.santarosa.edu/login/canvas

Textbook:

None required - Instructor Prepared Materials available on Canvas

DRESS:  Comfortable and appropriate dance/workout clothing that allows you to move freely. Contemporary Modern sandals/paws, barefoot, or socks that are not too slippery on floor. Please be sure your hair is not distracting and that jewelry is limited. Knee pads for floor work are suggested, especially if you have sensitive knees. Bring a water bottle as proper hydration is extremely important. Please DO NOT WEAR heavy scents…perfume/lotion… as many are sensitive to scents, especially when moving and sweating together. Do NOT wear lotion on feet/hands as it makes the floor super slippery. 

EVALUATION AND GRADING POLICY: 

Skill Demonstration- 20 points

Your overall energy, attitude, improvement, motivation, effort and class etiquette will be assessed throughout the semester.                                 

Movement Execution- 10 points

Performing the instructor’s choreography to the best of your ability and participating fully in all class activities throughout the semester will be assessed.

Movement Midterm- 10 points

Performing the instructor’s choreography to the best of your ability, and giving written peer feedback. This will be performed in small groups. Specific requirements TBA. This assignment will be completed by March 14th, 2024.  

Choreography and/or Improvisation exercise taught to class OR adding onto instructor’s choreography - 10 points

Specific requirements and due date TBA. Class time will be given to prepare for this assignment. Performed in small groups. This will serve as the movement portion of the final exam.                                                                                         

Objective Examination - 10 points 

Written quiz on Contemporary Modern dance terminology, technique, and stylistic approaches. This will serve as the written portion of the final.              

Written Assignment- 10 points

A self reflection paper based on your overall experiences in the class. 1-2 pages. Specific guidelines will be given later in semester.                

Due TUESDAY May 21st (final class). NO LATE PAPERS ACCEPTED! 

Attendance/Participation - 66 points

Each of the 33 classes is worth 2 points to total  66 points. My point system allows you to miss 5 classes (worth 10 points) BEFORE it affects your attendance grade one letter, so because of this very lenient policy, there will be NO make ups. 

ATTENDANCE and PARTICIPATION Guidelines:

Please come to class on time, alert, and ready to dance. One to two hours of practice and review of movement material is expected each week. Attendance and full participation to the best of your ability is very important in this class as we will be moving through significant amounts of material each class. There will be no distinction between “excused” or “unexcused” absences, with the exception of an emergency, death in the family, or prolonged illness (doctor’s note required). Poor attendance is almost always related to poor performance in class. It is definitely in your best interest to attend faithfully. To this end, I recommend you get the phone number/email of someone in this class on whom you may depend on to go over class material you miss. There are no make-ups allowed in other JC dance classes due to liability issues. See instructor for a make-up assignment when an absence is unexcused. EXTRA CREDIT will be assessed on a case by case basis.

VERY IMPORTANT!!!...If you are sick, please DO NOT COME TO CLASS! Keeping your germs at home and resting is the best thing you can do for the class and yourself. If you are injured and want to come observe class (recommended) and receive participation/attendance credit you MUST take observation notes that you turn in to me at end of class. 

GRADING POLICY:

It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of his/her grade at all times. This is very easy to do through Canvas. It is your responsibility to do a weekly check of your attendance grade and any other assignments. This will assure “no surprises” arise at end of semester 

Grade Scale:

All points will be totaled and a grade assigned. Total points for the course is 136.

A= 136-122 points (90%)

B= 121-109 points (80%)

C= 108-95 points (70%)

D= 94-82 points (60%)

F= 81 points and below (59% and lower)

**NOTE:  You need to obtain a “C” grade (or better) in order to receive “Pass” for the P/NP grade option.

IMPORTANT DATES:

Date Class Begins: 1/16/2024 

Date Class Ends: 5/16/2024

Last Day Add w/o add code: 1/23/2024

Last Day Drop for Refund: 1/28/2024

Last Day Drop w/o W: 2/4/2024

Last Day Add with add code: 2/4/2024

Professional Development Day (NO CLASSES): 2/15/2024

Lincoln’s Day Holiday (NO CLASSES): 2/16/2024

Washington’s Day Holiday (NO CLASSES): 2/19/2024

SPRING BREAK 😁: 3/18-24/2024

Cesar Chavez/Dolores Huerta Day (NO CLASSSES): 4/1/2024

Last Day Drop with W: 4/21/2024

Finals Week:  5/18-24/2024

Last Day for P/NP option: 5/24/2024

Date Final Exam:  online submission due by 5/21/2024

College Policies/Procedures:

SYLLABUS:

Your Syllabus is your Contract between the student and the instructor, so read it and understand all of its contents. It is your responsibility to know what is expected and required from you for this class. This syllabus may need to be amended from time to time. Students will be notified of specific changes during a regularly scheduled class meeting and through Canvas announcements. The professor reserves the right to make changes that benefit the majority of the students and allow for student learning outcomes to be enhanced.

Required Software:

You will need the following software for this course. 

ELECTRONIC DEVICES, GUM CHEWING & FOOD: 

It is the professor’s expectation that every student will respect the learning environment by turning off all devices during class time. If an emergency exists, special permission may be granted to keep a device on.  Regarding gum, it has proved to be a major distraction and dangerous in a movement class; therefore it is not allowed in the classroom at any time. NO FOOD IS ALLOWED IN THE DANCE STUDIO. 

SRJC CAMPUSES: 

Please remember that SRJC is not crime free. Please practice safety awareness procedures such as using the buddy system and being vigilant in all closed areas (restrooms/locker rooms) and in parking lots when coming or going from your car. In case of Emergency: CALL CAMPUS POLICE AT 527-1000 (extension 1000 from an on-campus phone) or call the POLICE at 911.

Respect: 

The best way to learn is through active participation; therefore, we respect others by being on-time, listening actively, and by being polite even when we disagree with another’s viewpoint. 

Physical Contact:

In accordance with the mission statement of the Kinesiology, Athletic & Dance (KAD) Department at SRJC, we welcome a diverse cross-section of the student population. Due to the nature of instructing individual movement activity skills, it is often necessary to physically make contact with a student. If this will place you in a hostile learning environment, please communicate your concerns to the instructor.

Standards of Conduct:

Students who register in SRJC classes are required to abide by the SRJC Student Conduct Standards. Violation of the Standards is basis for referral to the Vice President of Student Services or dismissal from class or from the College.  www.student-conduct.santarosa.edu/

Collaborating on or copying of tests or homework in whole or in part will be considered an act of academic dishonesty and result in a grade of 0 for that test or assignment. I encourage students to share information and ideas, but not their work. See these links on Plagiarism:

SRJC Writing Center Lessons on avoiding plagiarism

SRJC's policy on Academic Integrity 

Emergency Evacuation Plan: 

In the event of an emergency during class that requires evacuation of the building, please leave the class immediately, but calmly. We will all meet on Baseball Field (south side of building and across parking lot) to make sure everyone got out of the building safely and to receive further instructions. In the event of instances which involve the presence of blood and/or other body fluids, universal precautions will be followed. These precautions include: using gloves, careful waste disposal, adequate disinfections, modification of CPR, and hand washing.

Link to Santa Rosa Campus Evacuation & Safety Map

Special Needs:

Students with disabilities who believe they need accommodations in the class are encouraged to contact Disability Resources (707-527-4278) as soon as possible to better ensure such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.  If you have any other personal or medical concerns which may be a factor in your performance within this class structure, please feel welcome to confidentially discuss this with your instructor.

Resources for Success:

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH:

Should you experience any physical or mental health issues, know that all of us at SRJC care about your well-being. SRJC’s Student Health Services (SHS) has nurse practitioners and mental health therapists available. Confidential sessions are provided via secure Zoom or in-person. Sessions are free for SRJC students taking credit or non-credit classes, and some providers can converse with you in Spanish if you prefer. SHS also has on-site covid rapid testing and vaccinations available also at no cost. To start the process for any type of physical or mental health appointment contact Student Health at 707 527-4445 or email studenthealthservices@santarosa.edu. More information about all that Student Health Services provides is available at shs.santarosa.edu.

Course Summary:

Date Details Due