Sample Syllabus
From Cdssyouth
Southern Oregon University
English and Scottish Country Dance SS/Eng&ScotCntryDance Winter 2008
PE 199 CRN 7113 Wednesdays, 5:30-7:00 pm PE 132
Contents |
Instructor information
-- Brooke Friendly
-- 552-6901
-- friendly@sou.edu
-- Office hours by appointment
Course Description
From lyrical to boisterous, silly to sublime, written dance descriptions for English country dance were first published in 1651. Discover this early repertoire and the dances of Jane Austen's time as well as newly composed dances. Experience the strength and elegance of Scottish strathspeys and the high energy and sense of flight of the jigs and reels. Learn about the music, social aspects, history and contemporary expression of these dance forms.
Course Outcomes
You will learn footwork, styling, figures, progressions, and specific dances in both English Country Dance (ECD) and Scottish Country Dance (SCD) repertoire. You will gain a sense of the music, social aspects, history and contemporary expression of these dance forms.
Required texts and/or materials
Handout of terminology
Journal
Class Format
Course content is handled in an accumulative and progressive manner. Acquisition of skills is built on preceding understanding while technique is repeated and reinforced with learning new dances. We will start each class with a physical warm-up. Review will include figures, progressions and some dances from the previous week(s). New dances will be taught each class incorporating the figures learned up to that point.
Assignments
You are required to attend at least one social dance in the community (Ashland Country Dancers weekly dance, Ashland Folk Music Club monthly contra dance or an approved event outside the area). This may happen at any time during the term. You are required to keep a journal to bring to class each week in which to keep list of dances we do with additional information. You will be assigned short readings, small projects and web or film research.
Attendance policy
Each absence will result in the lowering of your grade by one-third of a grade. Since the material is sequential and the rest of the class depends on having an appropriate number of dancers, it is important to attend each class. You may have the opportunity for getting partial credit for absences by attending the social dance group on Monday evenings. Be on time to class—ready to dance with appropriate shoes on by 5:30pm.
Grading policy
Your grade will be based on the following:
- Attendance: each absence will result in the lowering of your grade by one-third of a grade
- Commitment to the class; exemplified by concentration and focus as well as being on time to class
- Movement skills (footwork, use of hands and arms, body awareness, styling for ECD versus SCD)
- Figure skills (remembering terminology, ability to execute dance figures)
- Rhythmic skills (ability to maintain rhythm/timing, basic understanding of the variety of tunes)
- Social dance skill
- Improvement of movement, figure, rhythmic, and social dance skills over the course of the term
- Journal, glossary notes, and response to any assigned readings, web or film research
Evaluation will take place during observation throughout the course and at the final presentation. Through small group presentations of dances for 4-8 dancers, you will demonstrate competency in material learned during the course, including basic English, and Scottish styling, footwork and figures. Through a ‘dance party’ of familiar and easy, new dances, you to demonstrate experience in the social nature of this dance form.
Honor code
– Refer to the SOU Student Handbook; “Code of Student Conduct.”
SOU academic support statement
If you are in need of academic support because of a documented disability (whether it be psychiatric, learning, mobility, health-related, or sensory) you may be eligible for academic accommodations through disability services for students. Contact Name/Contact Info, or schedule an appointment in person at the Access Center, Stevenson Union, lower level.
Course plan
W 1/9: Get syllabus, glossary and other course materials; warm up; learn basic footwork and movement style for English Country Dance (ECD); learn some simple, non-progressive ECD dances with basic figures (up a double, siding, arming, circles, different types of turns)
W 1/16: Review ECD footwork, movement and simple dances; learn basic footwork and movement style for Scottish Country Dance (SCD) jigs and reels; learn some simple SCD; learn some simple progressive ECD – duple minor progression; learn additional figures for E/SCD (possibilities include back to back, figure eight, English poussette)
W 1/23: Review ECD and SCD basic footwork, movement and simple dances; learn additional figures (rights and lefts); learn new dances
W 1/30: Footwork practice; review; learn additional figures (heys for 3); learn new dances
W 2/6: Footwork practice; review; learn basic footwork and movement style for SCD strathspey; learn new dances
W 2/13: Footwork practice; review; learn additional figures (heys for 4); learn new dances
W 2/20: Footwork practice; review; learn ECD triple minor progression; learn new dances
W 2/27: Footwork practice; review; learn more complex dances; discuss final presentations
W 3/5: Footwork practice; review; work on final presentations
W 3/12: Final presentations
This schedule may be amended depending on the size and pace of the class.
