Course Syllabus
Contact Information
Spring 2021 - DANC 1713.900
Understanding Dance MW 5:30 – 6:45 p.m.
Contact Information
Rebecca Herrin, Instructor
OU School of Dance, RPAC 1017
Office Hours VIA ZOOM: By appointment only
Email: rherrin@ou.edu
Live Session: ZOOM lecture Mondays, 5:30-6:45 PM - BEGINNING JAN. 25, 2021
Zoom link: https://oklahoma.zoom.us/j/95665259223?pwd=SitGSDJscEUxcDQ1TzhKVEpyL0I4Zz09
Meeting ID: 956 6525 9223
Password: UDance900
Course Objectives
For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.
- To present students with an introductory framework of dance appreciation and understanding.
- To provide the student with an abbreviated history of theatrical dance.
- To introduce the student to all aspects involved in the production of theatrical dance.
- To examine the various careers that currently exist in the dance world.
- To provide an atmosphere of kindness, mutual respect and consideration for students, instructors and teaching assistants, which encourages critical thinking and writing through class discussion of lecture material, videos, dance demonstrations and performances.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completing this course, the student is expected to consistently demonstrate the following proficiencies:
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- Demonstrate a working knowledge of dance understanding through the perspectives of: dancer, choreographer, and audience member/critic.
- Demonstrate ability to articulate an individual point of view of dance performance and related topics through Canvas discussion and performance critic papers.
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of dance history topics presented in the course.
NATURE OF COURSE DELIVERY
Please note this course uses a hybrid model of delivery
LIVE SESSION MONDAYS ONLY: Zoom lecture Mondays 5:30 - 6:45 p.m.
WEDNESDAYS: Class will not meet on Zoom Wednesdays to allow students to view the weekly video list and work on additional course assignments on their own.
ACADEMIC CONTENT
Procedures
The course material will be presented through lectures (including Zoom), selected reading, class discussions and videos.
- Module Assignments / Canvas Discussions
- 6 quizzes will be given regularly throughout the semester.
- 2 dance performance reaction/critique papers
- Final Project Due: Friday, May 7, 2021
Extra Credit: View an extra full-length performance via video and write a 500-word review/critique to drop of the lowest quiz score earned during the semester. Suggested live stream video performance list (Ballet, modern, musical theatre) will be posted on Canvas. If you wish to view an event not listed, please email rherrin@ou.edu for approval.
Supplemental Course Material
This is a great resource for this class, not required, but if you are interested in having a deeper knowledge and understanding of dance, I recommend this text:
Ambrosio, Nora. Learning About Dance: Dance as an Art Form and Entertainment. 7th ed. Kendall/Hunt, 2016.
Additional readings and videos will be posted on Canvas.
Course Components
1. Module Assignments / Canvas Discussions
Each learning module will incorporate dance performance video viewing links, short concept assignments, and/or Canvas discussions.
2. Module Quizzes
End of module quizzes will consist of multiple choice, matching, true/false and short answer/essay questions from the module of study. There are no make-up quizzes.
3. Papers
All papers will be turned in via Canvas and must meet the assignment word count requirement for full credit. Paper format: double-space, 12 pt. Times New Roman font, student name, course name and date on the first page, name on any subsequent pages, and paper word count recorded at the end of the assignment.
If your paper is longer than two pages, that is fine. But extra credit is not given for longer papers.
All papers may be turned in before the due date.
All papers should be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. on the day they are due. If submitted later, then they will be counted as late.
There will be a penalty of one letter grade per calendar day if the paper is late.
4. Final Project
Students will submit a final project DUE May 7, 2021. We will discuss this project in detail after mid-term.
Course Policies
Zoom Etiquette
- Find a private space, if you can. Ideally, this would be a room where you can close the door.
- Sign in to Zoom 5 minutes before the start of class and be ready to work for all sessions so they may begin at the appointed time.
- I appreciate students keeping their video on for the duration of all sessions, unless otherwise instructed. Use of Zoom backgrounds is welcome!
- Please use the Zoom Chat feature to efficiently communicate with the instructor and course assistants.
- Zoom sessions will be recorded.
- Non-class related texting and chatting is prohibited during all sessions. Phones should be turned off and put away.
- Questions regarding the material taught are welcome and should be addressed to the instructor.
Attendance and Notes
Students are required to attend weekly Zoom class , so they may gain the information necessary to best navigate the course. Attendance will be taken and recorded as part of your participation grade. If a student must miss class, the student is responsible for obtaining lecture notes from the Zoom recording posting on Canvas or from a fellow student.
Communication
Email is the most efficient way to contact me, please allow 2 business days for a response. Office hours may held virtually. I am available by appointment - please email rherrin@ou.edu to set up a video appointment.
Respect for Diversity
It is my intent that students from all diverse backgrounds and perspectives be well served by this course, that students’ learning needs be addressed both in and out of class, and that the diversity that students bring to this class be viewed as a resource, strength and benefit. It is my intent to present materials and activities that are respectful of diversity: gender, sexuality, disability, age, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, and culture. I promote student health and wellbeing above all else, and believe all movement belongs to all people.
GRADING
Students will be evaluated on the completion of the assignments listed below. Live session Zoom attendance will be also be monitored.
Breakdown
PAPER (Free write, posted video reaction) - Due February 14 - 15%
MID-TERM PAPER (Dance performance critique) - Due March 21 – 15%
MODULE QUIZZES – 25%
MODULE ASSIGNMENTS / DISCUSSIONS – 25%
FINAL Project - May 7– 20%
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Course Catalog
Search the OU Course Catalogue.
Student Handbook
Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.
Online Library
Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.
OU Attendance Policy
A temporary university policy has been established to protect the OU community by ensuring that students who are ill or required to isolate feel encouraged to remain at home. Missing a class session or other class activity due to illness or isolation will not result in a penalty for the absence, and the student will not be asked to provide formal documentation from a healthcare provider to excuse the absence. This policy is based on all students and faculty adhering to the principles of integrity, honesty, and concern for others.
Students who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, including cough, fever, shortness of breath, muscle pain, headache, chills, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea or who have been in close contact with others who have symptoms should:
- Remain at home to protect others
- Ensure that any needed screening has been conducted (COVID-19 Screening and Reporting Tool (Links to an external site.)) and any needed treatment obtained
- Contact the instructor prior to absence or inability to participate, if possible, and provide an honest report of the reason for which you cannot attend class or complete a course activity
- Continue to complete coursework to the extent possible, using Canvas, zoom, and other online tools
- Submit assignments electronically to the extent possible and as directed by the instructor
- Communicate with the instructor to arrange modifications to deadlines or work requirements or reschedule exams or other important course activities, when it is necessary
Academic Misconduct
In addition to the course conduct policies outlined by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook.
It is the responsibility of each student to be familiar with the definitions, policies, and procedures concerning academic misconduct. The Student Code is available from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and is contained in the Student's Guide to Academic Integrity.
This site also defines misconduct, provides examples of prohibited conduct, and explains the sanctions available for those found guilty of misconduct.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the most common form of academic misconduct at OU. There is basically no college-level assignment that can be satisfactorily completed by copying. OU's basic assumption about writing is that all written assignments show the student's own understanding in the student's own words. That means all writing assignments, in class or out, are assumed to be composed entirely of words generated (not simply found) by the student, except where words written by someone else are specifically marked as such with proper citation. Including other people's words in your paper is helpful when you do it honestly and correctly. When you don't, it's plagiarism.
For more information about plagiarism, watch this video and then take this short course offered by University Libraries.
Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities
The University of Oklahoma is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for all students with disabilities. Students with disabilities who require accommodations in this course should contact their professor as early in the semester as possible.
Students with disabilities must be registered with the Disability Resource Center prior to receiving accommodations in this course.
If you have a disability and you would like to make a request for reasonable accommodation, please see the Graduate Student Handbook or get in touch with the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center.
Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues
Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss your options. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability. Learn more about the rights of pregnant and parenting students by consulting the FAQ sheets provided by the Institutional Equity Office.
Title IX Resources
For any concerns regarding gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking, or intimate partner violence, the University offers a variety of resources, including advocates on-call 24/7, counseling services, mutual no contact orders, scheduling adjustments, and disciplinary sanctions against the perpetrator. Please contact the Sexual Misconduct Office at 405-325-2215 (8-5, M-F) or OU Advocates at 405-615-0013 (24/7) to learn more or to report an incident.
Religious Holidays
It is the policy of the University to excuse absences of students that result from religious observances and to provide for the rescheduling of examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays without penalty. It is the responsibility of the student to make alternate arrangements with the instructor at least one week prior to the actual date of the religious holiday.
LGBTQ Recourse Center
If you are a member of the LGBTQ community, I want you to know that my classroom is a safe zone. Additionally, please know that OU has an LGBTQ Resource Center on campus. Their address is Oklahoma Memorial Union, 900 Asp Avenue, Suite 247 Norman, OK 73019.
Hours: M-F, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Phone: (405) 325-4929. Please visit their website for more information about what support they offer, a list of ongoing events, and links to outside resources: http://www.ou.edu/content/gec/staff.html
Copyright Policy
It is illegal to download, upload, reproduce, or distribute any copyrighted material, in any form and in any fashion, without permission from the copyright holder or his/her authorized agent. The University of Oklahoma expects all members of its community to comply fully with federal copyright laws. If such laws appear to have been violated by any user, the university reserves the right (1) to terminate that user’s access to some or all of the university’s computer systems and information resources and (2) to take additional disciplinary actions as deemed necessary or appropriate. Repeat offenders will be sanctioned and their privileges terminated.
Registration and Withdrawal
If you choose to withdraw from this course, you must complete the appropriate University form and turn the form in before the deadline. If you stop attending the course and doing the coursework without doing the required paperwork, your grade will be calculated with missed homework and examination grades entered as zero. This could result in receiving a grade of F in the course. Deadlines are shown in the Academic Calendar, which is available from the Office of the Registrar.
Student Grievances
In addition to any policies outlined related to submitting an informal or formal grievance by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook for more information about the process of submitting a formal grievance.
Course Summary:
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