DANC 370 (4 credits) Kinesiology for Dancers MWF 9:00-10:45am ...

DANC 370 (4 credits)
Kinesiology for Dancers
MWF 9:00-10:45am
Instructor: Sharon Mansur
CSPAC Studio 1
smansur@umd.edu
Fall 2009
office: PAC 1929
www.dance.umd.edu
301/405-3198
office hours
by appointment Note: No class held Mon Sept 7 Labor Day; Fri Nov 27 Thanksgiving
Break; Last day of classes Fri Dec 11 Catalog Description:
A study of the biological and physical principles of movement and the
effects of dancing upon the structure and function of the human body. Course Overview:
This course is an introduction to the structure, systems and function of
the human body through an
embodied and experiential approach to anatomy and kinesiology, in
connection to dance/expressive movement. Through guided movement
experiences, readings, discussions, observation, writings and assignments,
students will increase awareness and understanding of their bodies, gain
ease, efficiency and expression in dance and other movement experience.
Students will also explore connections to a wholistic sense of self and
one's surrounding environment, including a sustainability perspective. Course Objectives:
To develop a clear understanding of the skeletal and muscular systems of
the body in structure and function
To gain facility in utilizing kinesiology terminology to describe body
positions and actions
To understand how developmental movement patterns influence our movement
capabilities
To deepen range and access to personal movement choices for integrated
functional and expressive purposes
including self-assessment and self-correction
To synthesize the theoretical and experiential aspects of kinesiology
through a final project
To gain awareness of wholistic body/mind connections
To increase knowledge of and appreciation for the environment and
sustainability through the micro/macro connection of the human body to the
earth's environmental "body" Sustainability:
Campus Sustainability at the University of Maryland
www.sustainability.umd.edu/index.php?p=sustain_office
"The University Strategic Plan firmly establishes sustainability as part of
the mission of the institution and sets the goal for the University to be
'a national model for a Green University.'" (source: website) This past May I attended The Chesapeake Project Workshop on sustainability,
designed to help University of Maryland faculty integrate sustainability
themes into our existing courses across all disciplines. Through these
revised courses, students will have the opportunity to explore
sustainability through multiple lenses to gain a more comprehensive
understanding on the subject and consider the importance of this issue for
their own lives, for their communities and the world. During the semester
we will consider sustainability as an aspect of our study of the human body
via observations, movement exercises, discussions and the final project. Required Material: (*suggested: a soft exercise/yoga mat to sit on and
for exercises)
Calais-Germaine, Blandine. Anatomy of Movement, revised edition. Seattle,
WA: Eastman Press, Inc., 2007.
ISBN: 978-0-939616-57-2
Olsen, Andrea in collaboration with Caryn McHose. BodyStories: A Guide to
Experiential Anatomy, expanded
edition. Hanover, NH: University Press of New England, 2004. ISBN1-
58465-354-X
Set of colored pencils
Notebook and pen/pencil for class notes Course Evaluation: (*Week to week course outline to follow)
Class Participation 30%
Assignments 10%
Quizzes 20% TBA, throughout semester
Final Project 20% Proposals: Oct 30;
Due: Nov 30-Dec 11
Final Exam 20% Preparation:
Please come dressed in movable but not overly large/loose dance/workout
clothes: tights, leotard, tank top, cotton pants etc. Hair pulled off
face, no watches, or dangling jewelry, and no gum chewing. Please be
changed and ready to start by the class time, and turn off all cell phones.
No shoes or food/drink in the studio. Assessment:
Attendance: Regular attendance is required. Excused absences require
documentation that must be
turned in no later than one week upon returning to class. Three (3)
undocumented absences are allowed to cover various personal needs. Every
absence beyond 3 undocumented will lower your Participation grade by a full
letter (Ex. 4=B, 5=C). Please notify the instructor when you are going to
or have missed class, and see a classmate for notes and assignments. There
are no class make ups and no extra credit.
Active Observation: If you feel well enough to come and observe class, you
can sit and take observation notes on the movement portions for up to three
(3) classes and turn in at the end of class for full participation credit. Tardiness: Students are expected to be ready to start class on time and
remain for the entire class. Every 3 tardies under 10 minutes will count as
1 absence. If you are more than 10 minutes late, that will be counted as
an (1) absence and you will be required to observe class. You are
responsible to have your attendance recorded at the end of class if you
arrive after class has started. You will also lose Participation credit if
you leave more than 10 minutes early and requests must be made in advance. Participation Guidelines: All students are expected to come to each class
prepared and focused mentally and physically, with an open, curious and
respectful attitude. Students are also expected to contribute to a safe
and trusting environment, including a nonjudgmental approach towards
learning, a willingness to take risks, make mistakes, ask questions and
support one another. High quality of class participation includes: self-
motivated and enthusiastic energy level each class, attentiveness, active
contributions to discussions and group work, high level completion of in
class exercises and full engagement in all aspects of class. Note: This
class does involve tactile hands on work between instructor and student and
student to student as part of the learning process. See instructor if
there is an issue concerning this learning approach.
Readings: Readings will be assigned and students are expected to find own
way to process material through highlighting sections, taking notes,
coloring etc. Specific material from readings expected for quizzes and
exams will be gone over in class prior to assessment.
Assignments: Periodic work outside of class related to material covered
that week, due in person at the beginning of class on due date. Emailed
assignments are not accepted. Late assignments can be dropped off to the
instructor's mailbox or office, accepted later that day and up to 2
additional calendar days after due date for reduced credit. Basic format:
typed, 12 point font, 1 inch margins all around, upper right corner:
student name, instructor name, class, date and assignment, staple pages
together.
Quizzes: Periodic in class quizzes on class material covered, every ~2-3
weeks, ~5-6 total, dates TBA.
Partner Assignment: Identify a body/movement goal to work on with your
partner and utilize class material to assist partner in working on his/her
goal, further guidelines to follow.
Final Project: Choose a body aspect of personal interest to explore in
more depth through personal investigations and outside source research,
which will also include ~6-7 page written paper and ~15 minute class
presentation, The purpose of this project is to give each student the
opportunity to more deeply investigate and synthesize material and
approaches from this course and share that experience with peers. Choose a
specific topic/question concerning an aspect of the body and movement, and
explore this theme more in depth through two main avenues to deepen your
understanding: personal investigations and outside source research. The
project also includes finding: 1. at least one visual art image that
relates to your topic, and also 2. connecting the human body (micro) to the
larger earth/environment (macro) with a sustainability focus.
Further guidelines to follow. Final Exam: Final exam will include pertinent material from the entire
semester and include various formats including: true/false, multiple
choice, short answer and identification. Review guide provided. Exam
makeup is only allowed with university approved documented excused absence,
see instructor at beginning of semester with conflicts. Additional Information:
Academic Accommodations:
If you have a documented disability, you should contact Disability Support
Services 0126 Shoemaker Hall and apply for accommodation request forms,
which you can provide to your professors as proof of eligibility for
accommodations. www.counseling.umd.edu/DSS/receiving_serv.html.
Academic Integrity:
The University of Maryland has a nationally recognized Code of
Academic Integrity, administered by
the Student Honor Council. This Code sets standards for academic
integrity at Maryland for all undergraduate and graduate students. As
a student you are responsible for upholding these standards for this
course. The code prohibits students from cheating on exams,
plagiarizing papers, submitting the same paper for credit in two
courses without authorization, buying papers, submitting fraudulent
documents, and forging signatures. For more information on the Code
of Academic Integrity or the Student Honor Council, please visit
http://www.shc.umd.edu. To further exhibit your commitment to
academic integrity, remember to sign the Honor Pledge on all
examinations and assignments: "I pledge on my honor that I have not
given or received any unauthorized assistance on this examination
(assignment)." Grading Explanations:
In order to achieve an A in this course, you must complete and exceed
all requirem