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Dancing Bodies

  • Module code: DC4004
  • Year: 2018/9
  • Level: 4
  • Credits: 30
  • Pre-requisites: None
  • Co-requisites: None

Summary

This module serves to expand students' knowledge of anatomy and physiology and its application to dance practice and safe dance practice. Issues of the ‘Healthier Dancer' (OneDanceUK) and the area of dance science/dance medicine will be features of the module, as well as how to better implement technical / personal progression within these classes. The module will complement and enhance all practical work undertaken within other modules, through the development of the students' functional understanding of anatomy and physiology.

This module also serves as a strong foundation for those interested in working within the areas of dance practice, dance science/medicine, dance teaching, academia and the health and fitness sector.

 

 

Aims

  • Extend students' understanding of the science of the body and its relation to injury prevention in dance.
  • Develop students' ability to work safely and effectively in the dance studio.
  • Extend and enhance students' technical and anatomical understanding of movement within the context of dance technique.

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the skeletal and muscular structures of the body.
  • Demonstrate understanding of how this relates to injury prevention in dance practice and teaching.
  • Employ safe and effective strategies in the preparation and performance of work in the dance studio.
  • Demonstrate an increased awareness of technical and / or physical limitations within dance technique and how to facilitate improvement.

Curriculum content

  • Posture and balance
  • Functional anatomy and physiology
  • Contemporary dance techniques
  • Somatic techniques such as yoga, tai chi, pilates and how they support dance training
  • Body conditioning
  • Physical articulation and control
  • Injury prevention and safe practice
  • Planning of studio practice and progressive training programmes.

Teaching and learning strategy

This module is delivered over 2 x 1.5 hour sessions, the first session will focus on various dance techniques, the other will be a blended session of theory, practice and experiential anatomy. Lectures will emphasise progressively comprehensive technical, anatomical and physiological exploration with a view to developing a functional understanding of the human body and what it requires for optimal development and / or performance. This will lead to the application of this knowledge in an assessment of students' technique as well as a written anatomy/physiology examination.

An example of module workshop structure:

  • Weeks 1 – 4, Technique class, anatomy theory: bones, joints and joint actions, anatomical terminology, warming-up and warming down safely.
  • Weeks 5 – 8, Technique class, muscles and function of muscles, physical readiness for rehearsal / technique class and specific fitness training programmes for dance.
  • Weeks 9 – 10, Technique class, function of the core and core stability, preparation for theory exam.
  • Week 11 – Technique class and formative theory exam in scheduled class time.
  • Weeks 1 – 4 (TB2): Technique class, the Healthy Dancer, nutrition for dancers.
  • Weeks 5 – 6, (TB2): Technique class, muscles: agonists, antagonists and synergists.
  • Weeks  7 – 9, (TB2): Technique class and revision / independent study time.
  • Week 10 – Assessment: Technique class and performance routine.
  • Week 11 – Summative theory exam.

A number of key skills will be addressed as part of this module. In particular students will develop their self-awareness (ability to apply anatomical knowledge to dance techniques), research and information literacy (anatomical study and application), communication (the ability to work with lecturers and peers to achieve personal physical improvement), inter-personal (the ability to offer peer feedback within sessions), management and leadership (the ability to manage solo practice/research of taught material and the ability to steer a group in preparation for the performance of the assessed technique class), and creativity and problem-solving (finding ways to surpass perceived and actual physical limitations utilising current knowledge and best practice specific to need).

Breakdown of Teaching and Learning Hours

Definitive UNISTATS Category Indicative Description Hours
Scheduled learning and teaching Workshop-based sessions 66
Guided independent study Independent research and rehearsal 234
Total (number of credits x 10) 300

Assessment strategy

Portfolio (equivalent to 2500-3000 words)

As the assessment evaluates students' knowledge and skill in a range of areas, a portfolio is the most suitable format. The portfolio will include no more than 4 elements, of which at least 1 will be a practice-based assessment and 1 will be theoretical. An example of what may be included in the portfolio follows:

1) Technique class assessment.

2) 1 x 1 hour summative written anatomy and physiology examination (plus 1 x 1 hour formative written anatomy and physiology examination).

 

Mapping of Learning Outcomes to Assessment Strategy (Indicative)

Learning Outcome Assessment Strategy
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the skeletal and muscular structures of the body. Technique class and written examination
Demonstrate understanding of how this relates to injury prevention in dance practice. Technique class and written examination
Employ safe and effective strategies in the planning of unsupervised work in the dance studio. Technique class and written examination
Demonstrate an increased awareness of technical and/or physical limitations within dance technique and how to facilitate improvement. Technique class and written examination

Elements of Assessment

Description of Assessment Definitive UNISTATS Categories Percentage
Written exam Anatomy and Physiology Examination 35
Coursework Technique Class 65
Total (to equal 100%) 100%

Achieving a pass

It IS NOT a requirement that any major assessment category is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module

Bibliography core texts

Blakey, P. (1992). The muscle book. Stafford: Bibliotek Books.

Koutedakis, Y and Sharp, N. C. C. (1999). The Fit and Healthy Dancer. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Bibliography recommended reading

Bartenieff, I. & Lewis, D. (1997). Body Movement, coping with the environment, London: Routledge

Delavier, F. (2010) Strength Training Anatomy, Leeds: Human Kinetics Europe

Fitt, S. (1996). Dance Kinesiology. Belmont CA: Thompson Higher Education

Franklin, E. (1996). Dynamic Alignment through Imagery, Leeds: Human Kinetics Europe

Hackney, P. (2000). Making Connections: total body integration through bartenieff fundamentals. London: Harwood Academic

Koutedakis, Y and Sharp, N. C. C. (1999). The Fit and Healthy Dancer. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Laws, H. (2005). Fit to Dance 2. Dance UK

Nagrin, D (1988) How to Dance Forever: surviving against the odds, London: Harper Collins

Newlove, J. (1993). Laban for Actors and Dancers. London: Routledge

Solomon, J & Cerny Minton, S (2005) Preventing Dance Injuries, Leeds: Human Kinetics Europe

Thompson, C.W. & Floyd, R.T. (2009). Manual of structural kinesiology. Princeton NJ:McGraw Hill Higher Education

Zake, Y. & Golden, S. (1997). Body Rolling: an experiential approach to complete muscle release. Rochester VT: Inner Traditions: Bear and Company

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