powered by
Center for Curriculum and Transfer Articulation
Rhythmic Awareness I
Course: DAN221

First Term: 2025 Fall
 Lecture   3.0 Credit(s)   3.0 Period(s)   3.0 Load  
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: S - Standard Load


Description: Exploration of rhythm in dance performance, choreography and pedagogy. Emphasis on the basic understanding of rhythm and cultivating awareness of rhythm in everyday life.



MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Define the concept of rhythm as it relates to this course. (I)
2. Demonstrate the theory of rhythmic hierarchies. (I)
3. Explore listening/awareness exercises of rhythms in music and everyday life. (II)
4. Utilize energy, patterns and rhythm as it relates to dance. (II)
5. Utilize block and basic musical notation. (III)
6. Translate simple rhythmic scores into sound and movement. (III-IV)
7. Translate simple movement patterns into a rhythmic score. (III-IV)
8. Demonstrate concepts of rhythmic awareness as they relate to dance performance, choreography and pedagogy. (IV-V)
9. Reflect on personal growth throughout the semester. (V)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.
 
MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Basic concepts of rhythm
   A. Definition
   B. Rhythmic hierarchy
      1. Beat
      2. Groupings
      3. Divisions
II. Basic concepts of awareness
   A. Listening with all the senses
   B. Recognizing rhythms
      1. Music
      2. Everyday life
III. Basic concepts of notation
   A. Block notation
      1. Reading/performing rhythms
      2. Writing rhythms
   B. Music notation
      1. Reading/performing rhythms
      2. Writing rhythms
IV. Applications in dance
   A. Performance
      1. Hearing and seeing rhythm
      2. Communicating rhythm through movement
   B. Choreography
      1. Music and structure
      2. Improvisation
   C. Pedagogy
      1. Communicating rhythm through voice and movement
      2. Speak singing
V. Final application
   A. Project
   B. Presentation
   C. Self-reflective analysis
 
MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: June 25, 2024

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.