MENDOCINO COLLEGE THEATRE DEPARTMENT

Courses For The Dance Emphasis

Spring Dance Festival 2005

THE 130:      Hip Hop Dance:  Beginning  (0.5-1 UNIT)
An introduction to the basic movements of Hip Hop dance with an emphasis on conditioning, simple rhythmic identification and basic technique.

THE 131:      Hip Hop Dance:  Intermediate  (0.5-1 UNIT)
Development of more advanced level Hip Hop dance technique with an emphasis on form, stylization and performance.

THE 204:        History and Appreciation of Dance  (3 UNITS)
A historical survey of dance from the earliest human experience to the present.  Primitive dance, the Egyptian, Greek and Roman periods, dance in the Middle Ages, and the Renaissance and its development into contemporary forms of ballet, jazz and modern dance.  Development of an appreciation of all forms of world dance throughout history, concentrating on personal responses, both emotional and intellectual to various dance idioms and styles, specific dances and performers of dance.  Exploration of why people dance.
 

THE 206:        Dance in World Cultures  (3 UNITS)
Dance of Africa, Asia, Europe, the Soviet Union, the Middle East and the Americas through lecture and film.  Exploration of the power of dance;  what it is, why it is done, who performs it, how it interacts with customs within specific cultural groups.

 THE 230:        Modern Dance:  Beginning  (2 UNITS)
A variety of modern dance techniques that will increase body awareness, strength, flexibility, control and coordination through movement combinations and improvisation as well as the history of modern dance as it relates to these topics.  Development of an appreciation of all forms of modern dance, both in western and non-western cultures, concentrating on personal responses, both emotional and intellectual, to various modern dance styles, specific dances and performers of modern dance.
 

THE 231:      Modern Dance: Intermediate   (2 UNITS)
Intermediate level skills in modern dance technique; increased insights into the creative process and further development of the body as an instrument of communication; introduction to dance composition and dance criticism.

THE 234:      Tap Dance:  Beginning  (2 UNITS)
Experience in the tap dance idiom.  Rhythm, coordination and personal expression.  The history of tap dance; its African roots and its American evolution.  Development of an appreciation of all forms of tap dance, concentrating on personal responses, both emotional and intellectual, to various tap styles, specific dances and performers of tap dance.

THE 238:            Jazz Dance:  Beginning   (2 UNITS)
General history of jazz dance and the development of proficiency in a variety of jazz dance techniques designed to increase body awareness, strength, flexibility, control and coordination through movement patterns and combinations. Development of an appreciation of all forms of jazz dance both in western and non-western cultures, concentrating on personal responses, both emotional and intellectual, to various jazz dance styles, specific dances and performers of jazz dance.

THE 239:            Jazz Dance:  Intermediate   (2 UNITS)
Intermediate skills in jazz dance technique to increase body awareness, strength, flexibility, control and coordination; advanced movement patterns and combinations, and an introduction to dance composition and dance criticism.
 

THE 242:            Ballet:  Beginning   (2 UNITS)
Fundamentals of classical ballet technique; basic positions, body placement, barré exercises, simple steps and combinations essential to the development of the ballet dancer with an overview of the history of ballet. Development of an appreciation of all forms of ballet, both in western and non-western cultures concentrating on personal response, both emotional and intellectual, to various ballet styles, dances and performers of ballet.
 

THE 243:            Ballet:  Intermediate  (2 UNITS)
Development of intermediate level skills and techniques within the discipline of classical ballet.  Continued emphasis on body position and placement as well as adagio phrases and step combinations.  Introduction to dance composition and dance criticism.
 

THE 244:            Mexican Folkloric Dance: Beginning   (1 or 2 UNITS)
This beginning course introduces students to folk dances from various regions in Mexico.  Learn various expressive dances covering basic Mexican folk dance technique, movement sequences, body alignment, and choreography.
 

THE 245:            Mexican Folkloric Dance: Intermediate Technique & Performance  (1 or 2 UNITS)
This class is designed to provide students with the technical skills to perform Ballet Folklorico.  Students learn intermediate level dance techniques and various dances representing a variety of regions from Mexico, as well as body alignment, choreography and costuming techniques.
 

THE 247:             Social Dance Forms: Beginning  (0.5-1 UNIT)
This beginning class introduces students to a variety of social dance forms.  Students will learn vocabulary and movements for such elementary level partner dances as the waltz, fox-trot, swing, cha cha, tango, jitterbug and salsa.  Historical perspectives of these dance forms will be discussed briefly.   University of California transferability pending approval.  See your counselor for more information.
 

THE 250:            Choreography   (2 UNITS)
Theory and practice in the basic elements of dance composition and an analysis of movement in terms of design, dynamics, rhythm, theme and style in relation to solo and group composition.  Develop an appreciation of many forms of dance, concentrating on personal responses, both emotional and intellectual, to various dance idioms and styles, specific dances and performers of dance.
 
 

THE 252:            Musicality for Dancers  (2 UNITS)
The quality of musical response is fully examined in this course for dancers.  From the elemental structures of rhythm, accentuation, melodic phrasing and tonality the course will build a "technique for the ear".  Each dancer will experience dance variations exemplifying musical qualities and be involved in an ongoing analysis of form, content and expression.  The technique of dance will be shown as a synthesis of musical ideas.
 

THE 260:            Dance Performance  (1-3 UNITS)
Theory and practice of performing in a dance production. Participation in dancing, choreographing, and/or performing technical theatre work.  Develop an appreciation of many forms of dance, concentrating on personal responses, both emotional and intellectual, to various dance idioms and styles, specific dances and performers of dance.
 

THE 262:            Dance for Musical Theatre  (1-3 UNITS)
Designed for the actor/dancer/singer.  "Dance for Musical Theatre" examines a specific style of dance relevant to a musical theatre production.  Students will learn choreographed dances, some of which may be performed with singing.  The focus will be a final musical theatre performance.
 

THE 265:            Dance Repertory:  Apprentice   (1-3 UNITS)
An opportunity for the beginning performer to participate in a limited way, in a dance performance produced by the Mendocino College Repertory Dance Company.
 

THE 266:            Dance Repertory   (1-3 UNITS)
An opportunity for a performing group of dancers to choreograph and perform dances in a dance production and to learn the associated technical elements related to production.

THE 268:            Dance Rehearsal  (0.5-2 UNITS)
This course provides an opportunity for students to develop a variety of rehearsal skills in preparation for dance presentations.  University of California transferabili