KDB113 Dance Studies


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Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Unit code:KDB113
Credit points:12
Equivalent:KDB106
Coordinator:Rachel Mathews | r.mathews@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

This unit will give you an introduction to the diverse field of dance studies. Through encountering relevant theory, reflecting on recorded dance performances, and participating in physical dance analysis activities, the unit will equip you with critical frameworks through which you can interrogate various aesthetic codes and relevant issues relating to dance in a variety of historical and cultural contexts. This will involve a range of perspectives including dance analysis, writing from practising choreographers and dancers, historical and cultural contextualisation, gender issues, racial diversity, and social dance. These understandings are an integral part of a wide range of pursuits within the dance industry including those of the performer, choreographer, and critic, as well as useful to other Creative Industries' disciplines.

Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Adopt critical frameworks to interrogate a range of dance works, dance related issues and aesthetic dance codes.
  2. Articulate effectively your critical responses through written and oral forms.
  3. Work independently and collaboratively, and direct and contribute to group discussions in which literature and dance works are analysed.

Content

The unit content introduces current critical frameworks that will allow you to engage with the field of Dance Studies from a range of perspectives, including dance analysis, writing from practising choreographers and dancers, historical and cultural contextualisation, gender issues, racial diversity, and social dance. You will also be introduced to the fundamental principles of academic writing, and develop information literacy skills and oral presentation techniques.

Learning Approaches

The content will be delivered through regular lectures and theory/practice workshops.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

You will receive formative feedback on your progress in this unit during workshops throughout the semester.

Assessment

Overview

There are two assessment items for this unit:  a group oral presentation and an essay. The topics for each item will be decided in consultation with your lecturer.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Presentation (oral group)

You will develop a group oral presentation in which you will analyse a dance work from one of the genres covered in the unit. The group's script of the presentation will contribute to the grade achieved.

Weight: 50
Individual/Group: Group
Due (indicative): Mid-Semester
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3

Assessment: Essay

You will write an essay in which you explain how a specific dance work, of your choice, reflects and/or challenges the gendered OR racialized socio-cultural patterns of the time and place in which it was choreographed.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Weight: 50
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Late Semester
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3

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

Relevant unit readings and reference material will be available online or from the QUT Kelvin Grove Library.

Risk Assessment Statement

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

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area 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. Identify and demonstrate knowledge of the techniques and concepts underpinning your field of creative practice.
    Relates to: ULO1
  3. Communicate independent learning clearly and coherently in diverse modes relevant to your field of creative practice.
    Relates to: ULO3
  4. Formulate and apply an independent perspective through reflection and by acting on the informed critique of others.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3