(H0B003B)

Specialization of study programme Dance Pedagogy

Study Objectives

Profile of graduate

Graduates of the Bachelor's degree in Dance Pedagogy have acquired the skills of methodological and didactic thinking as well as a comprehensive understanding of movement supported by anatomical knowledge of the human body. They have also developed creative skills based on a deepening of their practical dance experience and theoretical knowledge in the selected area of focus.

The student is able to competently teach dance techniques and repertoire according to the chosen specialisation of modern and contemporary dance. At the same time, they gain an overview of dance history and theory, which enables them to perceive the chosen field in the context of dance in general and through other artistic disciplines and culture. Programme graduates possess broad knowledge of the history, theory, concepts and methods of the art of dance and in their selected field, and they know how to apply this knowledge in artistic/creative dance practice. They know how to seek out, classify and interpret information or sources of inspiration relevant for addressing a specific problem or for creating an artistic rendition on an assigned topic. They know how to use dance terminology and the basic technology of their given field, and how to secure the execution of a public artistic performance organisationally and with respect to copyright and technical considerations at an appropriate level. They are able, within their field and according to the general assignment and allocated resources, to coordinate the activities of a creative team in the production of an artistic work of a smaller scale and simpler nature, and to be responsible for its results. They are able to take into consideration ethical dimensions that may be involved in addressing certain problems. They are able to communicate information concerning the nature of specialist issues in the area of dance and non-verbal theatre, as well as their own opinions on how to address such issues to experts and laymen alike and in a comprehensible and convincing manner. 

They are able to communicate within the scope of their specialist knowledge and skills in at least one foreign language. They are able to independently acquire additional specialist knowledge, skills and competencies, primarily based on their practical experience but also by independently studying the theoretical approaches in the field.

Programme graduates are able competently to provide qualified instruction in dance techniques and to manage a specialist repertoire according to the selected curriculum of Modern and Contemporary dance. They are prepared to methodically lead dance classes for all ages. They can be employed as a dancer, dance teacher, ballet master, repetiteur, assistant choreographerand similar positions in theatres and ballet or dance companies as well as in art education.  

They are also equipped with an overview of dance history and theory, the basics of dance composition, improvisation, choreography, stage practice, dramaturgy and production, so that they can pursue artistically creative or organisational work in the field.

Graduates of the bachelor's degree in dance pedagogy may apply for the continuing Master's programme of the Department of Dance at HAMU in Prague or other art schools in the Czech Republic and abroad.

General information about admission process

Knowledge of dance techniques at an advanced level of dance conservatory graduates; pedagogical talent and interest in the field; knowledge of music theory, overview of the history of art, dance and ballet; general cultural overview; teaching or artistic professional experience welcome.

Admission requirements

Applicants must submit the following materials to the Department of Dance with their application:

1. a professional curriculum vitae with emphasis on the level of dance education attained
2. a cover letter with emphasis on the intended major
3. a video recording of their own pedagogical output

The admission procedure consists of two elimination rounds:

ROUND 1.

1. For the first round, the candidate will prepare 2 combinations of their choosen specialisation (classical dance or modern and contemporary dance or folk dance techniques) for pedagogical demonstration.
2. Simultaneously they shall submit to the commission a written preparation of their two pedagogical demonstrations.
3. a written test of general culture, of the history of dance and ballet, and of the history and theory of music.
4. a practical examination in dance techniques (classical, modern and contemporary, folk).

ROUND 2

1. presentation of two pedagogical demonstrations of their own, the preparation of which was submitted in Round 1.
2. interview on the basic knowledge of the system of dance technique (classical, modern and contemporary or folk dance); a methodical approach to the analysis of the individual elements is required.
3. interview on dance pedagogy - preparation and execution of the lesson, attitude of the teacher towards the pupils, interest in the field, overview of what is happening in the field of art, etc.

The conditions of the admission procedure, including the determination of the method of scoring and its range, are regulated for each academic year by the relevant decree of the Dean, which is subject to approval by the Academic Senate of the Faculty.

If there are not enough applicants meeting the score requirement, the guideline number will not be filled.

There is a fee for studying in English. The amount of tuition fees for each study programme, including specialisations, is set by the Dean's Decree, which is published in the relevant section of the faculty website in English.

Parts of the state final examination and their contents

The University Qualifying Work consists of two parts: 

1. Graduate artistic performance - pedagogical output: a teaching performance of a 60-minute lesson on a given topic.
2. Bachelor‘s thesis of min. 20 standard pages 

State final examination consists of three parts:

1. Oral defence of the Graduate artistic performance – the pedagogical output of the given specialisation 
2. Oral defence of the Bachelor’s thesis 
3. Theoretical oral examination 

a. Didactics and Methodology of Modern and Contemporary Dance (further shorten to MCD) (Pedagogical Pre-seminar, Didactics and Methodology of MCD, Pedagogical Seminar of MCD, Dance Education of Children)

b. History of Dance and Ballet (Overview of History of Dance and Ballet, History of Dance and Ballet in Bohemia, History of 20th Century Ballet, Modern Dance in Europe and America)

c. Pedagogical Psychology (Introduction to Dance Pedagogy, Pedagogical Psychology)

Topical areas of the oral examination

a. Didactics and methodology of modern and contemporary dance:

Intention and process of teaching, Structure and construction of practical lessons of different types, Teaching forms of modern and contemporary dance designed for different levels of performers, Working with movement theme, principle, dance phrases, Incorporation of imagery and different types of visualization in teaching

Historical and social context of the origin and development of Martha Graham technique, Basic principles and themes of Martha Graham technique teaching methods (contraction-release, spiral, shift of the weight, floor work, falls etc.)

Historical and social context of the development of the Humphrey/ Limón technique, Basic principles and themes of Doris Humphrey and José Limón's methods of teaching the technique (alignment, weight-fall-rebound, fall-recovery, succession, oposition, suspension, isolation etc.

The influence of postmodern thinking on the emergence and development of contemporary dance, contemporary training practice, the centre of the body as a support for the stability of the body, the concept of the vertex-skeleton connection and its application in movement, Connection of the centre and periphery (movement patterns).

Function of breath, Dynamic alignment, Floor work, use of upside down elements, Work in space (Locomotion, links of different vertical levels, jumps), Structure and problems of dance education and the contemporary Czech dance community.

b. History of dance and ballet.

Ballet influenced by Pre-Romanticism, Ballet in the Romantic period, Post-Romantic ballet, Early 20th century and the revival of ballet, Expressive dance - the negation of ballet

The earliest accounts of dance in Bohemia, The formation of theatrical dance culture in the Czech environment, The first permanent theatre scenes in Bohemia, National revival and dance, The formation of Czech ballet life, Czech artistic avant-garde and dance, Dance art in Czechoslovakia after World War II, Czech choreographers after 1945, Czech dance of the 1960s and 1970s, Jiří Kylián and his choreographic work.

c. Educational psychology:

Psychology of learning in the educational process, Pedagogical-psychological diagnostics, Pupil and the concept of their personality, Dispositional schema - formation of psychological dispositions in the context of internal and external conditions, Self-concept - basic categories of personality, Motivation, Frustration and stress, Personality of the teacher, Task situation and constructive approach to its organization and arrangement, Creativity.