Course Syllabus

Course Information
DANC 2334.001 Beginning Ballet
Spring 2011
JO 1.216 Monday & Wednesday, 9:30a.m. – 10:45a.m.

Professor Contact Information

Michele Hanlon
Phone: 972.883.2140
Email: mhanlon@utdallas.edu
Office: JO 5.207
Office Hours: Tuesday 10:00am – 11:00am or by appointment

Course Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, and/or Other Restrictions

none

Course Description
DANC 2334 is a ballet technique class designed for students with little or no background in
dance. In this course students will study ballet technique at a beginning level. Ballet will be taught through
the practice of technique, supplemented with attendance at performances and the viewing of videos.
Appropriate class wear is required:

Women – solid color leotard and tights, ballet slippers; pink, black, or tan,
Men – Tee shirt, solid sweat pants, or tights & dance belt, black ballet slippers
Hair must be kept out of eyes and face – tied back if shoulder length or longer.

Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes

DANC 2332.001 Beginning Ballet

● Students will be able to both execute physically and describe orally the basic movement vocabulary of
beginning Ballet.

● Students will be able to analyze live performances from specific criteria given to them in class.

● Students will compare and recognize variables within the art form after exposure to various styles and
techniques of Ballet through classroom participation, video viewing, and live performance attendance.

● Students should value the art form, discipline, and dedication needed to excel in dance by participating in
the structure of the technique, recognizing its demands of the physical body, and the experience of the
execution of a complete movement phrase.

Suggested Textbooks and Materials

Technical Manual and Dictionary of Classical Ballet by Gail Grant

Ballet Basics. Sandra Noll Hammond. McGraw Hill. ISBN: 0-07-255714-1
Assignments & Academic Calendar
1/10 Review syllabus and view video
1/26 Stretch class
2/9 Video viewing and analysis
2/23 Stretch class
3/9 Stretch class
3/30 Performance analysis due (ticket/program and/or paper)
4/13 Video viewing
4/27 Review for skills and vocabulary exam
5/2 Skills and vocabulary exam/Performance analysis due date
All classes will be ballet technique unless indicated above.
5/11 Final Exam – 8:00am

Grading Policy
Student evaluation is based on the following:
● Participation grade is based on your participation in the class. Students will be evaluated according to the
quality of their involvement in the class work as demonstrated through individual comprehension and
improvement: learning material given, mastery of skills, effort, preparedness for class (including proper
attire), and personal growth. You cannot participate if you are absent. Each absence will result in a loss of
participation points in addition to attendance points. Each class has a value of 10 points awarded daily for
participation by attending class and fulfilling the preceding requirements. Points will be deducted if any of
these requirements are unfulfilled.

● Written work – includes video analysis, live performance analysis, and vocabulary quizzes/exams.

98 – 100 A+
93 – 97 A
90 – 92 A-
88 – 89 B+
83 – 87 B
80 – 82 B-
78 – 79 C+
73 – 77 C
70 – 72 C-
68 – 69 D+
63 – 67 D
60 – 62 D-
Below 60 F

Participation 40%
Attendance 15%
Video Analysis 10%
Live Performance analysis 15%
Skills and vocabulary 20%

Daily Evaluation
Class Participation:
Basics 5 points possible (dressed out, comprehends & follows through on exercises…)
Effort 5 points possible (improvement, progress, mastery)
Tardy 3 points subtracted
Observation 7 points earned
Absent 0 points earned
Course and Instructor Policies
Attendance: Attendance is mandatory. You will be given 1 absence that will not count against you; any
absence thereafter (excused or unexcused) will be .5 points off the 15-point attendance grade for each class
missed. If you arrive after roll has been taken it is your responsibility to remind the instructor you attended
class. Failure to do so could result in an absence recorded and applied for that day. After one tardy, you will
be considered late if you arrive after the barre has begun and you will receive a .25-point deduction from
your attendance points. You may not physically participate without the instructor’s permission if you
arrive more than fifteen minutes after the class has begun (which may affect your participation grade).
Excused absences may be made up, please speak to the instructor for various options. A total of 4 excused
absences may be made up with the instructor’s approval. Students making up absences in other approved
dance classes must turn in documentation that is dated and signed by the instructor teaching the class. If
you observe the class instead of physically participating, you must write a one-page paper that includes a
description of the class, personal observations, and a comparison of your class and the makeup class. All
classes must be made up before the last two weeks of the semester. Excused absences require
documentation.

Performance Analysis: You are required to see two live dance productions, write an analysis for one, and
submit a ticket and program for the other. All performances must be dance concerts approved by the
instructor. Analysis or the ticket/program are due on March 30 and May 2. The Live performance analysis
must include an in-depth examination of one dance work from the program you attended using the analysis
format learned in class. If you do not choose the first or last piece of the program for your analysis, you
must also include a brief summary for those pieces. You must include both the opening and closing works
as either a summary or complete analysis. 3 points will be deducted for the omission of each. Attendance is
required at the UTD Spring Dance Concert on March 10 -12, 8pm in University Theater. Attend on one of
the performance dates – students are free.

Skills and Vocabulary: You will be expected to know the definition and how to execute specific
movements that will come from your vocabulary list. You may be tested verbally, physically, and on paper.
You will be expected to complete any assigned readings and related homework from handouts.

Extra Credit: Extra credit may be received by attending dance performances beyond those required. You
may receive 2 points by just turning in a ticket and program or 4 if accompanied by a critique. The credit
will be added to the final total of points accrued for the course at the end of the semester. Students may
complete no more than two extra credit assignments. The two required concerts cannot be counted as extra
credit.

General Class Etiquette and Attire

Minimum jewelry.
Hair up and away from face. Hair may not hang longer than the neck.
No chewing gum or food in studio.
Closed liquid containers (water only).
No sitting down during class.
No talking while dancing or during demonstrations of exercises.
You are required to wear specific dance attire for ballet:
Women: Solid color leotards, tights, and ballet shoes. Solid color sweat pants, dance warm ups, ballet
skirts, dance sweaters, and solid color sweat shirts (when it is cold) are allowed.
Men: Solid color sweat pants, solid color t shirts or sweat shirts, and ballet shoes. You may wear men’s
leotards and tights with a dance belt if you choose.
Cell phones must be turned off and remain off during class time (2:30 – 3:45)
Respect the space of other students by being aware of your own use of space.
Notify the instructor of any ailments – physical or otherwise – that may negatively effect your ability
to participate in a given technique class before the start of class.
Points may be deducted from your daily participation grade for inappropriate attire or etiquette.
 Course Expectations:
Student will demonstrate a focused mental and physical application of the course material.
Student will take responsibility for his/her own growth through watching, listening, participating,
processing, and clarifying during each class session.

Video Viewing days: February 9 & April 13

VIDEO ANALYSIS: In class February 9.

Analysis format will be introduced in class.

LIVE PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS: Due on March 30 and May 2

Use the analysis format introduced during the video analysis day. One due date above is for ticket and
program only; the other due date also includes a live performance analysis. Student will decide based
on available approved performances.

Important dates to remember:

MLK Holiday Monday, January 17
Last day to drop class without a W January 26
Last day to withdraw with WP/WF March 14
Spring Break March 14 – March 19
UTD dance concert – University Theater March 10 – 12, 8pm
Last day of classes Monday May 2
Spring Arts Festival April 29 – May 14

Technical Support

If you experience any problems with your UTD account you may send an email to:
assist@utdallas.edu or call the UTD Computer Helpdesk at 972-883-2911.

Field Trip Policies

Students are responsible for obtaining their own tickets and providing their own transportation to
and from dance concerts and any other events they choose to attend.

University Policies

Please review important university policies at the following address: http://go.utdallas.edu/syllabus-policies

These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the Professor.