DANCE 112 : Dance Kinesiology

Creative Arts and Industries

2021 Semester Two (1215) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Introduction to physiological and kinesiological analysis of dance movements. The study of skeletal alignment, muscular balance and mechanical efficiency.

Course Overview

In this course we will explore knowledge from dance science, experiential anatomy, various somatic practices, kinesiological analysis, and systems of alignment and movement re-education as we consider issues and concerns that dancers face: peak performance, wellness, longevity of career, safety, and creative and pedagogical practice. We will be combining contextual and methodological orientations from both scientific (anatomy and physiology) and somatic approaches (embodied experience) with the goal to provide each dancer with clarity, diversity and agency in their movement. This will give the students the foundation to develop a responsible, well-argued and self-directed practice of dance. The material taught also intersects with, informs and supports technique and choreographic papers.
This course is of processual and relational nature, regarding both individual and group process. Embodied experience implies the subjective, relational nature of the material. Next to movement, touch and different meaning-capture methods are valuable learning methods in this paper. A willingness for personal investigation is essential in order to make good use of this class.

It is important to note that whilst there is an intended curriculum, it is a priority, particularly whilst studying somatic practices, to remain responsive to the existing knowledge and needs of the individuals within the group and let the focus be drawn to their interests—therefore, this course outline is subject to change with notice.

Dance Kinesiology provides the foundation for DANCE 222: Safe Dance Practices, as well as for subsequent studies in somatic practices and dancers’ health and wellbeing.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Dance Studies

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Apply personal exploration of body as an entity and understand how it potentially relates to the emotional, spiritual and intellectual facilities (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4 and 6.1)
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of body mechanics and awareness applied to dance and daily life (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3)
  3. Develop a "self-referential and contextual aesthetic" (or feeling the body from a first-person subjective perspective) and awareness of self-care practices (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4 and 6.2)
  4. Be able to make personal meaning of the scientific information and facilitate bodily autonomy, which is fortified by anchoring physical experience in the experiential knowledge about one's structural makeup and idiosyncrasies (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4 and 6.1)
  5. Understand the benefit of somatic practices for dance training regarding injury prevention, technique and creative process (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3)
  6. Apply self-instilled self-reflection in relation to self, others, and the world (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.3, 4.1, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Coursework 40% Individual Coursework
Presentation 20% Individual Coursework
Essay 40% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6
Coursework
Presentation
Essay

Teaching & Learning Methods

This course is of processual and relational nature, regarding both individual and group process. Embodied experience implies the subjective, relational nature of the material. Next to movement, touch and different meaning-capture methods are valuable learning methods in this paper. A willingness for personal investigation is essential in order to make good use of this class.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 36 hours of lectures, 72 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 30 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including labs/tutorials/studios to complete components of the course.
The course may include live online events including group discussions/tutorials.
Attendance on campus is not required for the exam.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

In the event of unexpected disruption

We undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions, the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. In the event of a disruption, the University and your course coordinators will make every effort to provide you with up to date information via Canvas and the University website.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 03/12/2020 11:02 a.m.