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Dance Studies - DANCA13403

Plan Summary

 
Faculty: ARTSC - Faculty of Arts&Social Science
 
  
 
Contact: sam@unsw.edu.au
 
 
Program: 3403 - Arts
 
 
Award(s):
 
 
Bachelor of Arts (Major)
 
  

Plan Outline

The BA major stream in Dance Studies aims to produce dance artists, writers, researchers, educators and arts workers ready to enter the performing arts industry and secondary and tertiary educational institutions. Thinking, Writing and Making dance are three broad areas of study linked by the key terms of corporeality and movement.

Thinking: Your studies will cover the history, theory and analysis of dance in diverse cultural contexts, locating dance within a larger ecology of related national and international practices and knowledges. This expansion is also reflected in the interdisciplinary orientation of the major stream, reflecting current practice in the field of dance practice and theory.

Writing: Students are encouraged to develop a writing practice alongside their creative or theoretical interest in dance, and explore the various relationships between writing and dancing.

Making: The major streams studio-based content involves movement-based practices and techniques, recognising the role of studio-based learning and the develop physical knowledge which is fundamental to the discipline of dance.

Dance Studies at UNSW has strong ties with local industry through teaching staff and associated professional residencies, and is aligned with the existing ecology of dance practice in NSW with a focus on self-authored movement research, offering clear pathways to higher research in Creative Practice and Dance Theory.

The subject-specific aims of the BA major stream in Dance Studies are:
  • To develop an appreciation of dance as an influential force within the broader ecology of the humanities
  • To establish a firm grounding in the key concepts of corporeality and movement that form the disciplinary basis of dance
  • To recognise the role of somatic knowledge as fundamental to the study of dance
  • To apply a variety of critical approaches to both the theory and practice of dance
  • To explore a diversity of dance forms, knowledges and practices beyond the Western canon
  • To develop research skills, both practical and theoretical, in gathering, classifying and communicating information about dance and choreography
  • To apply writing skills to the translation and communication of somatic practices and knowledges
  • To recognise and reflect on social, cultural and ethical issues, as they apply to diverse dance practices.

Plan Structure

A student who wishes to gain a major stream in Dance Studies must complete 54 units of credit including 12 uoc at Level 1, at least 18 uoc at Level 2 including the core courses ARTS2xxx Choreography and Theory and ARTS2xxx Composition Across Music and Dance, and at least 18 uoc at Level 3 including the capstone course.

There are two possible major streams. The first Major stream in Dance Studies is for students with less formal training in Dance. The second Dance Major stream is for students with some formal dance training, and is accessed via a performance-based assessment in the Level 1 gateway course, ARTS1005 Thinking, Writing and Making Dance. In this subject, students will be asked to self-select a level for the tutorials (studio-seminars) based on their experience as a dancer. Beginner, intermediate, and advanced studio-seminars will be offered in ARTS1005 Thinking, Writing and Making Dance. A student with little or no dance experience should select a Beginner group. A student with substantial skills in social dance forms (traditional - kathak, indigenous etc, or salsa, tango, hip hop etc) or western techniques (ballet, contemporary, jazz, tap) should select Intermediate. Students with a Dance HSC result in band 5 or 6, Intermediate level in a major dance syllabus (RAD, Cechetti, BBO etc) or significant professional dance experience should select Advanced.

Students in the intermediate and advanced studio-seminars who obtain a Credit in the performance assessment for ARTS1005 Thinking, Writing and Making Dance can proceed to the studio-based subject ARTS1006 Introduction to Movement Practices (Level 1, S2) and to those in Level 2 and 3 of Dance Studies.

BA/BEd students intending to be teachers of Dance in schools should take the second Dance Major stream: practice-based, including the following Level 2 and Level 3 courses, in order to meet the criteria set by the NSW Institute of Teachers:
  • Level 2 Choreography and Theory (History and Analysis of Dance)
  • Level 2 Dance Technique (Performance with a technique base in modern/contemporary dance and ballet)
  • Level 2 Somatic Practices (Applied anatomy and Kinesiology)
  • Level 3 Interdisciplinary Composition (Composition/choreography)
Students undertaking ARTS1006 Introduction to Movement Practices (Level 1, Semester 2) are required to undertake a physical assessment before the commencement of semester 2 for their own safety. These are offered at Kensington Physiotherapy on UNSW campus: (02) 9385 6482. The onus is upon students to disclose relevant outcomes from the assessment to teaching staff in studio-based classes.


FIRST STREAM DANCE STUDIES MAJOR

Level 1 Courses

Level 2 Courses

Students must complete the core courses:

  • ARTS2xxx Choreography and Theory (6 UOC)
  • ARTS2xxx Composition Across Music and Dance (6 UOC)
And at least two of the following courses:

Level 3 Courses

Dance Studies Capstone Course (compulsory)

  • ARTS3xxx Interdisciplinary Composition (6 UOC)
And at least two of the following:


SECOND STREAM DANCE STUDIES MAJOR: PRACTICE-BASED

Level 1 Courses

Level 2 Courses

Students must complete the core courses:

  • ARTS2xxx Choreography and Theory (6 UOC)
  • ARTS2xxx Composition Across Music and Dance (6 UOC)
And at least one of the following:
  • ARTS2xxx Dance Technique (6 UOC)
  • ARTS2xxx Somatic Practices (6 UOC)
Note: If students wish to take Somatic Research at Level 3, they must take both ARTS2xxx Dance Technique and ARTS2xxx Somatic Practices.


Level 3 Courses

Dance Studies Capstone Course (compulsory)

  • ARTS3xxx Interdisciplinary Composition (6 UOC)
And at least two of the following:
Note: Students can only take ARTS3xxx Somatic Research if they have completed ARTS2xxx Dance Technique and ARTS2xxx Somatic Practices at Level 2.


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© The University of New South Wales (CRICOS Provider No.: 00098G), 2004-2011. The information contained in this Handbook is indicative only. While every effort is made to keep this information up-to-date, the University reserves the right to discontinue or vary arrangements, programs and courses at any time without notice and at its discretion. While the University will try to avoid or minimise any inconvenience, changes may also be made to programs, courses and staff after enrolment. The University may also set limits on the number of students in a course.