Didactics and Methodology for Modern and Contemporary Dance 1

Subject is not scheduled Not scheduled

Subject guarantor

Name of lecturer(s)

Department

The subject provides Dance Department

Contents

Information on the combined form:

The course is taught in a combined form of contact and non-contact teaching in a ratio of approximately 1:4, i.e. 80 hours distance learning, 20 hours full-time per semester.

The content of the course Didactics and Methodology of Modern and Contemporary Dance 1 consists of a theoretical part, which aims at systematically expanding the professional knowledge in the field of methodology of modern dance techniques by analyzing their individual movement principles and didactic procedures and practical exercises to verify them. At the same time, the teaching emphasizes the method of construction of practical lessons of different types, the ability to logically arrange the individual dance elements and to connect them meaningfully in dance links designed for different levels of performers.

The course is closely linked to the MST Pedagogical Seminar.

The content of the course consists of:

• Graham technique alignment (dynamic stance)
• contraction-release (breathing)
• spiral (opposition of the body, connection of the vertex-skeleton)
• shift of the weight (shift of the centre of gravity and control of space),
• floor work (floor as a partner for body preparation and as an integral part of choreographic creation),
• integration of classical dance
• emotional component of movement
• falls
• dynamic component and collaboration with music in M. Graham's choreographic work and training

Learning outcomes

The student will gain an in-depth understanding of all the essential topics and principles of two comprehensive teaching methods - the Martha Graham and José Limón techniques. The goal is to learn the fundamental laws of modern dance, to relate them to contemporary dance techniques and to achieve the precise knowledge necessary for teaching in the field.

Prerequisites and other requirements

Corequisites - Modern and Contemporary Dance Pedagogical Seminar

Literature

Required reading:

HAAS, Jacqui Greene. Dance anatomy. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, c2010. Anatomy series (Human Kinetics (Organization). ISBN 0736081933.

Marian Horosko Martha Graham The Evolution of her Dance Theory and Training . University Press of Florida, 2002. ISBN 0813024730.

Recommended literature and articles:

CALAIS-GERMAIN, Blandine. Anatomy of movement: Exercises. 2nd revised edition. Seattle: Eastland Press, c2008. 282 p. ISBN 978-0-939616-58-9.

Evaluation methods and criteria

The credit is awarded on the basis of oral and practical examination of the material covered and presentation of partial tasks (e.g. methodological and didactic presentation of individual principles of links and exercises, research on given topics and problematic issues, etc.) Part of the credit is a comparison of teaching methods of teachers in the school or art professional environment, which he/she has completed in the framework of observation (oral submission) and discussion of other records in the student's portfolio.

Additional requirements: 100% attendance, activity in class, portfolio production.

Note

The course combines monological, applied and interactive teaching methods, supports self-study and

critical thinking of the student. The student is encouraged to create his/her own portfolio based on the acquisition of his/her own experience and skills.

Distance contact will be provided:

• telephone, email, video calls
• through group platforms for communication between students (social networks, internet, apps,

moodle, etc.)

Independent work of the student within the contactless learning consists of:

• studying the assigned literature on the topics covered in the exam in the second semester
• systematic and practical verification of the topics covered in their teaching practice and subsequent consultation with the teacher of the subject on the basis of the video recordings
• completing 2 observations with recommended teachers or institutions and creating a structured record of the evaluation of the methodological concept of teaching
• searching for internet resources on the topics and making brief research
• preparing the presentation of the sub-tasks

Thematic areas for independent work of the student:

• Historical and social context of the emergence and development of Martha Graham's technique, significant events in Martha Graham's life that shaped her artistic development, choreographic work and its connection to the development of technique
• Principle of contraction - release in all levels (vertical and horizontal structure), vertical = by level of advancement, horizontal = in all parts of the lesson)
• Spiral principle in all levels (see contraction x release)
• Teaching dynamic body positioning and the principle of shift of the weight, focusing on the opposition in the body, the connection between the tailbone and the vertex and basic movement patterns (BMC)
• The principle of falls on the ground, standing (sitting, knee, swinging, travelling, side, on twelfe etc.), the meaning and importance of falls in modern dance and for the creation of choreography, the consequent element in training, their use today
• Use of the principles of technique in teaching in a non-professional environment (ordering of elements in relation to the technical level of the pupil, student, trainee etc.)
• Use of the principles of technique in professional education (selection of the level according to the focus of the school and the disposition of the pupils, setting out the objectives of teaching, selection of the most important elements of technique)
• Collaboration with an accompanist or use of recorded music (what music is appropriate)
• Development of the M. Graham technique at present (where and why it is taught, current situation in MGSCD)

Further information

No schedule has been prepared for this course

The subject is a part of the following study plans

• Dance Pedagogy (BA - part time) Modern and Contemporary Dance (Required main subjects)