KDB112 Dance Technique Fundamentals

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

This unit introduces dance technique and the application of somatic practices. It includes the principles of safe dance practice, alignment, kinaesthetic awareness, and maintaining a sustainable embodied practice. Through practical classes you will develop your technical foundation in contemporary dance and your understanding of the principles of movement. The development of your engagement and understanding of what your dance practice might be and how it informs your future as a dance practitioner is at the forefront of this unit.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Identify and demonstrate technique and knowledge of the concepts underpinning the fundamentals of dance technique and somatic approaches.
2. Recognise, analyse and reflect upon your embodied practice and knowledge, and apply this process within dance technique and somatic practice.
3. Develop strategies for complex problem solving that sustain your ongoing dance practice.

Content

Learning Approaches

Weekly studio-based movement workshops will be supported by a series of lectures or discussions throughout the semester. You will augment your studio-based and online learning through self-directed learning about topics such as safe dance practice, key concepts of somatic approaches in dance and reflective activities.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Teaching staff provide you with verbal and demonstrated feedback, collectively and/or individually in every studio-based workshop. You are encouraged to utilise this information in both the physical and conceptual development and expression of your dancing. You will be notified mid-semester if you are failing to meet the minimum standard required to pass the unit.

Assessment

Overview

There are two assessment items in Dance Technique Fundamentals. The first requires you to demonstrate your engagement with course content within your weekly studio-based workshops, and to iteratively reflect on your learning to independently develop your sustainable dance practice plan. In the second assessment you will demonstrate your knowledge of somatic and safe dance principles within a self-devised short dance sequence.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Sustainable Dance Practice

There are two parts to Assessment 1.

Part 1: Demonstrate your understanding of the key concepts through engaging in class discussions and application of your learning in embodied and discursive contexts through critical reflection.

Part 2: Over the semester you will critically reflect on your learning and develop a plan for your independent sustainable dance practice.

Part 2 of this assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Assessment: Demonstration

Create your own dance phrase utilising content you have learned in your technique classes. You will need to physically perform and write about your dance phrase to articulate your understanding of safe dance practice, reflective and problem-solving skills, and the experience of moving as you demonstrate the fundamentals of dance technique within your own moving body.

Part 1: You will work in the studio with your teacher and peers to share your draft demonstration. During the studio session you will receive feedback and have opportunities to reflect and refine.  

Part 2: Independently film your dance phrase and upload to Canvas. Include with your submission your writing of your phrase, making note of considerations for safe dance, experiences, images, reflection and problem-solving, and information on how your demonstration has been refined since your in-class feedback for Part 1.  

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Requirements

All students and staff who access campus buildings and facilities are required to complete the Tier 1 General Health and Safety Induction. This must be completed online.

Resources

Risk Assessment Statement

For risks associated with using campus buildings or facilities, refer to the Tier 1 General Health and Safety Induction.

This unit involves physical work primarily in purpose-built dance studios and industry standard performance venues. Full physical participation in any class is subject to compliance with safe dance practice. Physical challenges are an inherent part of dance practice. The development of essential risk-management skills that minimise potential injury is a high priority with all teaching staff and supervisors. All students are taught safe dance principles as life-long learning skills and it is expected that you apply them in this unit. Due to the athletic nature of dance training, the dance department and its external supervisors will provide the necessary duty of care in emergency situations that arise on campus, through its first-aid and health and safety arrangements. Access to on-campus doctors is possible at short notice.

Course Learning Outcomes

KK34 Bachelor of Fine Arts

1. Cite and discuss a broad and coherent knowledge of historical and contemporary cultural contexts for creative practice, including the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges.
   Relates to: ULO1
2. Demonstrate complex problem solving through iterative experimentation and the creative and critical development of ideas and outcomes.
   Relates to: ULO1
3. Demonstrate technical proficiency in at least one area of your field of creative practice.
   Relates to: ULO2
4. Discern, critically analyse and synthesise knowledge in complex creative practice settings.
   Relates to: ULO3
5. Formulate and apply an independent perspective through reflection and by acting on the informed critique of others.
   Relates to: ULO2