top of page

 

“Syllabus”

​

2020-2021 GUIDELINES & COURSE EXPECTATIONS

​

DANC 234/235: Intermediate Ballet

Instructor: Cynthia DuFault

 

​

​

​​

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This class will combine intermediate barre, center floor work, and some across the floor work - all with an emphasis on terminology and the anatomy that governs ballet mechanics. Additional class work consists of filling out a weekly self-assessment form, which will guide you through (1) goal setting, (2) working through those goals and (3) accomplishing what you set out to achieve. Discussions about these goals will take place in class.

 

Pre−requisite: DANC110 Beginning Ballet or equivalent prior training.

​

COURSE OBJECTIVES

  • To expand awareness of ballet technique, movement quality, and terminology.

  • To increase body awareness, strength, and proper anatomical alignment as it serves in the technique.

  • To have a clearer sense of musicality through time and qualitative dynamics.

  • To practice professionalism (self-responsibility, positive/inquisitive attitude, versatility, knowledge, and investigation of individual strengths and weaknesses).

  • To critically evaluate in writing movement ideas as well as self-assess personal development.

  • To preserve a grand appreciation of dance as an art form.

​

LEARNING OUTCOMES

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

​

  • apply effective technical skills in a variety of movement material;

  • understand components of proper technical use of the body in anatomically sound application of movement;

  • demonstrate an improved ability in using the body as an instrument of artistic expression;

  • develop a personal movement style in performance of advanced sequences of movement;

  • demonstrate the ability to learn and retain more complex movement sequences in a variety of technical styles;

  • demonstrate movement with a sensitivity to performance and full bodied commitment;

  • understand the importance of self-discipline and self-motivation in the continual effort to improve individual performance and enhanced satisfaction in dance as a performing art form;

  • recognize, discuss, and critically appraise ballet and its relationship to the other dance forms, including its evolution into the twenty-first century;

  • analyze and discuss personal artistic and technical growth through instructor feedback and self-assessment;

  •  comprehend the origins of modern dance and its history;

  • understand the field of dance by critically analyzing a live concert dance performance in a four-page critique essay;

  • apply skills learned to attend professional auditions with confidence.

 

COURSE MATERIALS

All written materials for this course are on this website. Go to the site menu above, click on Classes, and  then click on Intermediate Ballet in the drop menu. This will take you to your class page , where you will find a list of  links. These links include the syllabus, the weekly self-assessment form, recorded Zoom classes, additional class and workout reels, etc.

​

COURSE FORMAT

This F2F/hybrid course will be taught during class time in the studio and via recorded Zoom for remote learners. Please refer to the Studio Safety Guidelines (below) before entering the studio on the first day of class.

​

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

If you plan to attend  Zoom dance classes, you will need a device with a camera. This is a MUST in order for me to observe and give corrections while you take class. You will also need a large enough space (8'X8') to move freely.

​

CONTACT

You can contact me 5 WAYS: (1) school email dufaulc@potsdam.edu,  (2) clicking on Contact in the site menu above, (3) clicking on the site 'chat bubble' in the lower right of the site page, (4) sending a message in the contact section in the lower portion of the homepage, (5) make a Zoom appointment Here.

​

ASSIGNMENTS/EXAMS/GRADING/EVALUATION

60%   Attendance/Participation: (see Attendance Policy below for details).

25%.  Weekly submission of the self-assessment form

10%   Midterm & Final Exam: A practical and written exam based on material and class discussions. No make-up                     exams are permitted. 

5%     Virtual Performance Attendance: Students are required to view the Media Dance Works Series from fall 2020

  or coming up in Spring 2021 and write a one-page critique essay, which will be due on the final day of class.

  NOTE: Dance majors and minors are required to attend ALL virtual Department productions.

​

STUDIO SAFETY GUIDELINES

Information about safety facts and policies related to SUNY Potsdam:

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

  • Students are expected to arrive on time and ready for class. Participation is not permitted if later than 10 minutes and a written one (1) page observation is due at the end of that class. Two (2) late arrivals will result in one (1) absence.

  • Students are allowed two (2) unexcused absences and two (2) written observations for the semester. Each additional unexcused absence will lower the final letter grade by one (1) grade-point as implemented by departmental policy. If a student has excessive unexcused and/or excused absences and cannot fully participate in class, it is highly encouraged to withdraw. 

  • Qualified excused absences include: religious holy days (advanced notice is required); family emergencies (contact instructor ASAP by e-mail if traveling out of town and factual documentation of the emergency is required upon return); serious illness or medical emergencies (factual documentation/doctor’s note is required upon return); a university sponsored event such as band trips, sports team events, conferences, etc. (advanced notice is required and documentation signed by the school coordinator is required). Students must provide appropriate documentation for any additional University sanctioned event in order for it to be excused.

  • Students are responsible for missed work due to excused absences. Make-up classes are not offered. Make-up work is permissible ONLY for excused absences, and it is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor.

​

ATTIRE

This course has a required dress code. Each class, students are expected to be dressed in the appropriate dance attire, as listed below, and in a neat and clean manner. There is no access to changing rooms, so you must come to class in your dance attire. Not following dress code, including forgetting shoes, will result in students observing class, and a written one (1) page observation is due at the end of that class. Two (2) observations will result in one (1) absence.

 

Basic Dress Code:

  • Women: Dark-toned leotard; black or pink tights or black leggings; if applicable, wear appropriate undergarment support, dance or sports bra; pink or nude-toned ballet shoes and a mask. 

  • Men: Black tights, black leggings; black or white fitted tank or T-shirt, tucked in; dance belt, black or white ballet shoes, and a face mask.

face 

Additional Dress Code Information:

  • Hair must be worn in a traditional ballet bun, and bangs must be clipped away from the face. The goal is to have hair off the neckline for better alignment assessment.

  • Warm-up clothing will be allowed before class and at the teacher's discretion during class in the cold weather.  Only dark-toned fitted "dance" sweaters, dark-toned fitted pants, or dark-toned leg warmers are allowed.  No loose or baggy clothes, including T-shirts or sweatshirts, permitted under any circumstances.

  • Out of respect to all, personal hygiene, a clean body and clothing, must be observed.

  • No Jewelry, except small studded earrings.  Dangling earrings and hoops are strictly forbidden due to safety reasons.

  • For the safety of all dancers, if eyeglasses are needed, please attach with a sports strap. Contacts are highly recommended for the more advanced dancer as an alternative to glasses. 

  • No street shoes in the studio at any time. All shoes worn in the dance studio may NOT be worn outside. Please carry all dance shoes into the studio and put them on before class begins and change back into street shoes before leaving the studio. 

 

BASIC RULES & REGULATIONS

  • No gum, food, or beverages are permitted in the dance studios/theatres, except water in an enclosed container.

  • Turn off/mute and pack away cell phones or any electronic devices before class begins. 

  • Discussing topic-related observations are welcomed in class but side conversations are discouraged.

 

TEXTS

No text is required for this course. Any reading assignments will be provided as PDFs on cyndance.org.

​

LATE POLICY

Late work is permissible upon approval of the professor. It is the 'sole responsibility of the student' to keep track of any missing assignments and turn them in before the agreed deadline.

 

SUNY POTSDAM POLICIES & RESOURCES

​

SYLLABUS CHANGE POLICY

This syllabus is a guide for the course and is subject to change with advanced notice.

​

​

Almost Finished...

 

Click on the link below, fill out the form,

        and submit it by  the end of the first week.

 

CONTRACT OF AGREEMENT

Guidelines and Expectations Agreement

​

​

​

​

bottom of page