SRJC Course Outlines

10/31/2024 7:24:09 AMDANC 47 Course Outline as of Summer 2025

Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION

Discipline and Nbr:  DANC 47Title:  AFRICAN DANCE I  
Full Title:  Dances of the African Diaspora I
Last Reviewed:1/25/2021

UnitsCourse Hours per Week Nbr of WeeksCourse Hours Total
Maximum2.00Lecture Scheduled.7517.5 max.Lecture Scheduled13.13
Minimum1.00Lab Scheduled2.256 min.Lab Scheduled39.38
 Contact DHR0 Contact DHR0
 Contact Total3.00 Contact Total52.50
 
 Non-contact DHR0 Non-contact DHR Total0

 Total Out of Class Hours:  26.25Total Student Learning Hours: 78.75 

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  34 - 4 Enrollments Total
Also Listed As: 
Formerly:  DANCE 47

Catalog Description:
Untitled document
This course will introduce students to African Diaspora dance, specifically the history, technique and performance of various styles of African Dance from the Caribbean, Haiti, Senegal, Guinea, Nigera and the Congo regions of Africa.  This course will emphasize musicality and the introduction of percussive rhythms as well as increase students' endurance, coordination, agility and flexibility.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:


Recommended Preparation:

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description: Untitled document
This course will introduce students to African Diaspora dance, specifically the history, technique and performance of various styles of African Dance from the Caribbean, Haiti, Senegal, Guinea, Nigera and the Congo regions of Africa.  This course will emphasize musicality and the introduction of percussive rhythms as well as increase students' endurance, coordination, agility and flexibility.
(Grade or P/NP)

Prerequisites:
Recommended:
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:34 - 4 Enrollments Total

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:Effective:Inactive:
 Area:
 
CSU GE:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 
IGETC:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 
CSU Transfer:TransferableEffective:Fall 2021Inactive:
 
UC Transfer:TransferableEffective:Fall 2022Inactive:
 
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Not Certificate/Major Applicable



COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
Untitled document
1. Execute and analyze beginning (Level 1) African Diasporic dance sequences using applicable dance vocabulary.
2. Perform beginning (Level 1) African Diasporic dance choreography.
3. Choreograph a beginning (Level 1) African Diasporic dance combination.
 

Objectives: Untitled document
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Exercise basic steps that exist in African Diaspora dance techniques.
2. Perform African Diaspora dance movements with appropriate stylistic nuances.
3. Choreograph original dance sequences in beginning African Diaspora dance.
4. Display performance skills in presentation of beginning African Diaspora dance choreography.
5. Identify basic rhythmic concepts and relate them to the execution of beginning African Diaspora dance movement.
6. Critique an African Diaspora dance performance.
7. Distinguish between traditional and staged African Diaspora dances.

Topics and Scope
Untitled document
I. Brief overview of African Diaspora Dance Cultures
   A. Origins of African Diaspora dance and cultures
   B. Defining African Diaspora cultures and their relation to dance
        1. Why people dance
        2. Customs and traditions that include dance
        3. Analysis of basic dance patterns found in African Diaspora dance cultures
        4. Difference between village dance and staged choreography
II. Beginning African Diaspora dance technique
   A. Technical principles such as well grounded plies; alignment of spine; off-center movement; initiation of movement with breath and core
   B. Locomotor movements such as walks, runs, leaps, turns, rolls
   C. Movement reflecting the everyday tasks within African Diaspora cultures
   D. Floor exercises to prepare muscles for the rigor of dances to be taught
         1. Warming-up for increase circulation
         2. Stretching for flexibility
         3. Extremity and core strengthening exercises
   E. Rhythmic exercises to prepare for the syncopations to be used
   F. Center combinations
III. Performance skills
   A. Projection (refine choreography vs. thematic improvisation)
   B. Dynamic qualities (heaviness of harvest and lightness of praise)
   C. Theatrics and narrative of dance movements (storyline and attitude of the people)
IV. Choreography
   A. Creating movement based on the life-style of African Diaspora cultures
   B. Making use of written handouts, videos, pictures, and dance steps learned in class
         to create personal African Diaspora dance
 
All topics are covered in the lecture and lab portions of the course.

Assignments:
Untitled document
Lecture-Related Assignments:
1. Weekly practice of instructor choreography and dance skills covered in class sessions (ungraded)
2. Choreographing original dance movement either alone or with a group
3. Written critique of an African Diasporic dance piece or performance approved by instructor
4. Reading of class handouts
5. Brief research on an African Diaspora dance cultures to be applied to the choreography for reinforcement (participation)
 
Lab-Related Assignments:
1. African Diasporic dance class activities assessed in terms of technique and performances
2. One to three performance exams
3. Note taking when appropriate (participation)
4. Practice sessions (participation)
5. Written exams (2 - 4)
 
Optional Alternative Assignments:
1. African Diasporic dance online video viewing and analysis (participation)
2. Interviewing of an African Diasporic dance technician in an individual/group (participation)
3. Reflective Journal

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%
Critique of an African Diasporic dance performance, Optional Reflective Journal
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
20 - 40%
Choreography and performance exams
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.Exams
10 - 20%
Written Exams
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.Other Category
30 - 50%
Attendance and Participation


Representative Textbooks and Materials:
Untitled document
Instructor prepared materials
African American Dance: An Illustrated History. Glass, Barbara. McFarland. 2012 (classic)
Katherine Dunham: Dance and the African Diaspora. Das, Joanna Dee. Oxford University Press. 2017

Print PDF