11/21/2024 4:16:36 AM	DANC 3.1 Course Outline as of Summer 2025	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  DANC 3.1	Title:  CHOREOGRAPHY I
Full Title:  Choreography I
Last Reviewed:1/22/2024

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	1.50	Lecture Scheduled	.75		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	13.13
Minimum	1.50	Lab Scheduled	2.25		6 min.	Lab Scheduled	39.38
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	3.00			Contact Total	52.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  26.25

Total Student Learning Hours: 78.75

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly:  DANCE 3.1

Catalog Description:

This course focuses on the fundamentals of the choreographic process and devices, emphasizing basic principles of space, time, weight, and form. Students will learn how to choreograph dance studies applying a variety of choreographic approaches and techniques.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:
Course Completion of DANCE 16.1 and DANCE 10.1

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

This course focuses on the fundamentals of the choreographic process and devices, emphasizing basic principles of space, time, weight, and form. Students will learn how to choreograph dance studies applying a variety of choreographic approaches and techniques.

(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:Course Completion of DANCE 16.1 and DANCE 10.1
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:		Inactive:
Area:
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Spring 1983	Inactive:
UC Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Spring 1983	Inactive:
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Choreograph a dance or dance study that applies basic principles of choreography including the use of several choreographic devices.

2. Analyze choreographic elements incorporated in contemporary dance works including aspects of space, time and energy, form, climax, and choreographic devices.

 

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Convey a concept, idea, or theme through choreography.

2. Explore the elements of dance (space, time and energy) through dance improvisation and choreography.

3. Choreograph a phrase or dance study that includes a clear beginning, middle, climax and resolution.

4. Integrate choreography with musical accompaniment to support choreographic intention or theme.  

5. Explore choreography in solo, duet, and/or small group formats.

6. Recognize choreographic elements in the work of other choreographers.

7. Critique dance studies in aesthetic terms.

Topics and Scope

I. Units of Study

    A. Study of one inventing original movement

    B. Inspiration items inventing and developing original movement

    C. Dream state

    D. Site specific

    E. Gods and Goddesses duets

     F. How to select and analyze music and musicality

     G. Group forms

    H. Costuming and lighting

II. Basic Principles of Choreography

    A. Elements of dance

         1. Space (shape, focus, level, direction, and facing)

         2. Time (duration, tempo, meter, and rhythmic devices)

          3. Force (dynamic contrast, qualities of movement)

         4. Effort-Shape (basic principles of Laban Movement Analysis)

     B. Finding inspiration for the choreographic process

    C. Creating a dance phrase

    D. Development of movement motifs through choreographic devices

          1. Retrograde

         2. Repetition

         3. Ornamentation

         4. Facing

         5. Inversion

         6. Insertion

         7. Diminution/augmentation

    E. Forming movement into a study or dance

          1. Properties of the stage space   

          2. Compositional forms

                a. Forms based on musical forms (ABA, rondo, theme and variation)

               b. Narrative

               c. Chance

               d. Accumulation

          3. How to create a highpoint or climax of a study or dance

         4. Thematic development

III. The Creative Process

    A. The role of improvisation in the choreographic process

    B. Methods for generating movement

    C. Sources of inspiration

IV. Choreography as Communication

     A. Theme

    B. Conveying ideas and emotions

    C. Abstract versus literal representation

    D. Dance for dance sake

V. Accompaniment

    A. Silence

    B. Spoken word

    C. Music

         1. Role in supporting choreographic or thematic intention

         2. Paralleling and contrasting music with choreography

         3. Instrumental versus lyrical

VI. Critiquing Choreography

     A. Observation

    B. Reflection

    C. Discussion

    D. Evaluation/interpretation

    E. Recommendations for revision

VII. Other Topics May Include

    A. Use of a prop or set in choreography

    B. Incorporating physical contact (partnering, giving and taking of body weight) in choreography

    C. Gestures or pedestrian movement in choreography

    D. Group choreography

    E. Exploration of alternate spaces

 

All topics are covered in both the lecture and lab parts of the course.

Assignments:

Lecture-Related Assignments:

1. Reading of class handouts or text(s) approximately one chapter per week

2. Research for and choreography of individual studies including final project

3. Reworking of studies based on feedback

4. Choreographic notebook developed over the course of the semester which may include: ideas for future pieces, inspiration for choreography, sketches, images from magazines, reflections on choreographic process, critiques of fellow students' work, observations of pieces viewed

5. Written analysis of choreographic elements, form, climax, and devices incorporated in a contemporary dance piece

 

Lab-Related Assignments:

1. Individual and group movement exploration (improvisation)

2. Choreography and performance of individual, duo or collaborative group studies with emphasis on space, time, and energy and other basic principles of choreography (5 - 7)

3. Participation in class discussions including critiques of studies

4. Viewing examples of dance works that illustrate choreographic principles covered in class

5. Final choreographic project

6. May include 1-2 additional studies based on:  

     A. Props or found objects

    B. Gesture or pedestrian movement

    C. Dance to spoken word

    D. Physical contact or partnering techniques

    E. Trio or small group

    F. Alternate space (site specific study)

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 10 - 20%
Choreographic notebook, written analysis
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 0 - 0%
None
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 40 - 60%
Class performances of studies and final choreographic project
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 0 - 0%
None
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 30 - 40%
Attendance and participation in improvisations and discussions; additional studies (if assigned)

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

Dance Composition Basics. 2nd ed. Sofras, Pamela. Human Kinetics. 2020

Dancers Talking Dance: Critical Evaluation in the Choreography Class. Lavender, Larry. Human Kinetics. 1996 (classic)

The Art of Making Dances. Humphrey, Doris. Princeton Book Company. 1991 (classic)

The Intimate Act of Choreography. Blom, Lynne and Chaplin, L. Tarin. University of Pittsburgh Press. 1982 (classic)

Choreography. 4th ed. Minton, Sandra Cerny. Human Kinetics. 2018 (classic)

Instructor prepared materials

Print PDF