MCCCD Program Description

Rhythmic Awareness I

Course: DAN221

First Term: 2015 Summer

Lecture 3 Credit(s) 3 Period(s) 3 Load
Subject Type: Academic
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. Define and demonstrate an understanding of rhythmic and visual hierarchies. (I) 3. Define and demonstrate an understanding of listening as it relates to this course. (II) 4. Explore various awareness exercises and develop a self-focusing practice. (II) 5. Demonstrate an understanding of energy, patterns and rhythm as it relates to this course. (II) 6. Illustrate an understanding of geometric shape notation. (III) 7. Illustrate an understanding of block notation. (III) 8. Read simple rhythmic scores and translate the rhythms into sound and movement. (III) 9. Observe a simple movement pattern and translate it into a rhythmic score. (III) 10. Illustrate an understanding of course concepts as they relate to dance performance. (IV) 11. Demonstrate an understanding of course concepts as they relate to dance pedagogy. (IV) 12. Illustrate an understanding of course concepts as they relate to choreography. (IV) 13. Present a personal exploration and application of course concepts. (V) 14. Critically analyze 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. Self focusing practices C. Recognizing energy, patterns and rhythm in music, dance and everyday life III. Basic Concepts of Notation A. Geometric Shape Notation 1. Reading/Performing rhythms 2. Writing rhythms B. Block Notation 1. Reading/Performing rhythms 2. Writing rhythms IV. Applications in Dance A. Performance 1. Hearing/Seeing rhythm 2. Communicating rhythm through movement B. Pedagogy 1. Communicating rhythm through voice and movement 2. Communicating quality and dynamics through voice C. Choreography 1. Basic analysis of music and structure 2. Basic exploration of intuition V. Final Application, Communication, and Reflection Skills A. Final project B. Final presentation C. Self-reflective analysis

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: May 27, 2014

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.