Dance History II, DANC 391 001
3 Credits
Spring 2015, TR, 3:00 PM to 4:15 PM
Location: Research Hall, 202
Instructor: Dan Joyce
Office Phone: (703) 993-1154
Office hours: by appointment
Department Mailbox: PAB A300
Email: [email protected]
Dept. Website: http://dance.gmu.edu
Course Description:
This course examines the revolutions that occurred in the transformation of Western dance in the twentieth
century into forms and institutions that radically departed from their predecessors. The development of
contemporary dance carried with it reflections of the influence of technology and the media as well as the
concept of a global culture. Renewed interest in traditional dance forms acknowledges the power of dance to
serve as a carrier of cultural, aesthetic and historical contexts. Meets general education fine arts requirement.
Dance History considers the role of dance in its relation to cultural and artistic developments. The course
examines the process of history as a system of selection. Particular attention is paid to the importance of
criticism and dance writing in the perpetuation of certain artists and ideas. Emphasis is placed on students’
understanding of key artists and innovations in Western theatrical forms, on students’ ability to perceive and
describe movement, on students’ awareness of dance as reflecting and refracting societal customs and beliefs,
and students’ appreciation of dance as an art form.
Students will develop an awareness and understanding of dance as a vital and continually evolving method for
shaping identity and discourse. Students will strengthen their ability to perceive, recognize and distinguish
among different forms of dance. Students will sharpen their writing skills and deepen their understanding of
cultural differences and the interconnectedness of communities and ideas.
Learning Outcomes:
As a result of completing this course students will be able to:
• Identify and analyze the formal elements of a particular art form using vocabulary appropriate to that form
• Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between artistic technique and the expression of a work’s
underlying concept
• Analyze cultural productions using standards appropriate to the form and cultural context
• Analyze and interpret material or performance culture in its social, historical and/or personal contexts
Course Requirements:
1. Class attendance is mandatory as material will be presented that cannot be replicated outside of class
2. Completion of assigned readings, assignments, videos and active participation in class discussions
demonstrating familiarity with these materials
3. Attendance at required concerts: All Concert Hall performances and options for one off campus event to be
discussed in class.
GMU Dance Company Gala Concert
Friday and Saturday
March 27 & 28 at 8:00 PM each evening
GMU Center for the Arts Concert Hall
Tickets: $20, full; $12, students, staff & seniors; $10 groups of 10 or more Limited free
tickets available to students beginning 3/17/2015
Mark Morris Dance Group
Center for the Arts Concert Hall
February 28 at 8, Mar. 1 at 4.
Tickets available 2/17/2015
Russian National Ballet Theare
4/18/2015 at 8:00 pm or 4/19/2015 at 4:00 pm.
Center for the Arts Concert Hall
Tickets available 4/7/2015
Momix: Alchemia
May 1 and 2 at 8:00 pm
Center for the Arts Concert Hall
Tickets available 4/21/2015
Off campus performance options to be discussed in class.
4. Midterm exam: Thursday, 3/19/2015
5. Research Paper: Final Draft due TBA
6. Final Exam: Tuesday, 5/7/2015 1:30-4:15
Required Text:
Reynolds, Nancy and Malcolm McCormick, No Fixed Points: Dance in the 20th Century, New Haven: Yale
University Press, 2003.
Recommended Reading:
Banes, Sally, Terpsichore in Sneakers, Wesleyan University Press, 1987.
Brown, Jean Morrison, The Vision of Modern Dance, Princeton Book Company, 1979.
Cohen, Selma Jeanne, Dance as a Theatre Art, Princeton Book Company, 1974.
Copeland, Roger and Marshall Cohen, What is Dance?, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1983.
Jowitt, Deborah, Time and the Dancing Image, Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1988.
Kendall, Elizabeth, Where She Danced, the Birth of American Art-Dance, Berkeley and Los Angeles: University
of California Press, 1979.
Course Evaluation:
In Class Attendance, Participation, Quizzes and Fulfillment of all class assignments
Midterm Exam
Research Paper
Final Exam
25%
25%
25%
25%
Grading Standards:
• The “A” student has absorbed, understood and applied ideas about dance as a form of cultural expression
and identity. Their responses (both written and verbal) contribute to the deepening of analysis and furthering of
ideas introduced in classes. Their written reviews demonstrate a progression in learning and a mastery of
different approaches to description and interpretation.
• The “B” student has absorbed and understood ideas about dance as a form of cultural expression and
identity. They have fulfilled the requirements of the course in a conscientious and dedicated manner, and have
demonstrated appreciation of dance as an art-form.
• The “C” student has attended all of the classes and completed all of the requirements in a satisfactory
manner. They have demonstrated their knowledge of dance and articulation of ideas in their written
assignments.
• A grade of “D” is given for work that is unsatisfactory
• A grade of “F” is given for work that fails to fulfill the requirements of the course.
GMU Add/Drop Policy: The last day to drop this class with no tuition liability is 1//27/2015. The last day to
drop this class without Dean’s permission is 2/20/2015, by 5pm. The elective withdrawal period for this class is
from 2/23/2015 to 3/27/2015. It is the student’s responsibility to check to verify that they are properly enrolled
as no credit will be awarded to students who are not.
Honor Code, Copyright, & Computing Policies: To promote a stronger sense of mutual responsibility,
respect, trust, and fairness among all members of the George Mason University community and with the desire
for greater academic and personal achievement, we, the student members of the university community, have
set forth this honor code: Student members of the George Mason University community pledge not to cheat,
plagiarize, steal, or lie in matters related to academic work.
You are expected to adhere to all University policies and guidelines during your participation in this course. All work
must be your own. Inappropriate use of the work of others is a George Mason University Honor Code violation.
Please review the University’s website for information on the following: Honor Code and Judicial Procedures;
Copyright/Fair Use; and Responsible Use of Computing.
If you are a student with a disability and you need academic accommodations please see me and contact
the Disability Resource Center (DRC) at 703.993.2474. All academic accommodations must be arranged
through that office. Students must inform the instructor at the beginning of the semester, and the specific
accommodation will be arranged through the Disability Resource Center.
EMERGENCY ALERT: You are encouraged to sign up for the Mason Alert System by visiting the website
https://alert.gmu.edu. An emergency poster exists in each classroom explaining what to do in the event of
crises and that further information about emergency procedures exists on http://www.gmu.edu/service/cert.
Relationship of Course to Program Goals and Professional Organizations:
Dance History: 20th Century is the second of two required course in Dance History. This course meets the
Virginia Department of Education endorsement competency for understanding the relationship of dance and
culture, and the influence of dance on past and present cultures. Because this course is one of the designated
“Writing Intensive” courses within the dance degree program, it provides an understanding of and proficiency in
grammar, usage, and mechanics, and their integration in writing. It also prepares teacher licensure candidates
to meet the Dance Arts Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools (see
www.pen.k12.va.us/DOE/Superintendent/Sols/home/shtml): DM.12; DM.13; DM.14; DM15; DM.17;
DM.18;DM.19; DM.20;DM.21; DI.13; DI.16; DI.17; DI.18; DI.19; DI.20; DI.21; DI.22; DI23; DD.10; DD.11;
DII.13; DII.15; DII.16; DII.17; DII.18; DII.19; DII.20; DII.21.