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 March 10, 2008
www.ilstu.edu/~lmerri
copyright © L.Merriman
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Welcome!
Welcome to Intermediate Modern Dance Technique!
This is one of my favorite classes to teach! I have not
taught this course since the Fall of 2004 when the course was a part of our
previous curriculum in dance, so I am eager to get back into
the studio with you! I feel privileged to have a
studio full of eager, hard-working, and clearly talented dancers to teach.
This course allows me to share my passion for the invaluable classical modern dance
training I have been so very fortunate to have had and so often lacking in dancers of your
generation. Most dancers are currently trained in a wide range of dance forms and in
some cases, are not clear which dance forms they are being trained in. While I
believe we should strive for purity in our training, allowing us to understand and
appreciate the distinct principles of and approaches to movement, I also agree that
learning all forms of dance are essential to developing an expanded
movement vocabulary. Both of these training methods contribute to a
dancer's growth and artistic merit. In this class we will strive
to apply the principles of movement inherent in the theories developed by
three forerunners of modern dance with a greater emphasis on the Graham
Technique.
There are so many things to teach an intermediate modern dancer and all of those
"things" are fine "things" to learn, yet I feel strongly that learning
from the founders of our art form is fundamental! The teachings of the forerunners
of modern dance such as Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey, and JoseŽ Limon are extremely
influential to the entire growth of the dance culture. While I have not had the
opportunity to study directly from these three pioneers of modern dance (I am FAR TOO
YOUNG...ha!), I have had the opportunity to study from their immediate students and have
had the pleasure of performing in some of their works. It is with much admiration
and humility that I strive to provide you with a semester full of the principles and
methodologies of these artists.
Self-discovery and re-discovery is truly the joy of analyzing and teaching the
principles of these great artists. We will learn (or re-learn) simultaneously the
physicality of movement, the process of performance through movement. As learning is
a life long process, we will be learning from each other.
Modern Dance II Technique has
been designed for students of intermediate technical level with the desire to continue
their technical growth in the modern dance forms. In this course,
students will study and learn the theories and approaches to modern dance
from a variety of technical disciplines such as the Graham Technique, and
the Limon Technique, as well as the stylistic contributions of the Humphrey
Technique among others. It is assumed that each student at
this level has been
placed into this level by the instructor (that would be me). It is further assumed
that each student at this level is committed to dance beyond a beginner's mentality and
ability, and therefore has the discipline and fortitude in the continual effort to improve
individual performance and technical skill. A large portion of your daily evaluation in this course will be built
around three primary areas: Technical Ability, Artistic
Ability, and Effort and Improvement. There is no viable
alternative regimen of study for a dancer outside of attending technique class day in and
day out! That is the life that we have chosen. That is the only way to
maintain our instrument and to make the necessary progress each day.
WebCT
WebCT is a separate environment with an account reserved only
for our class. Below is a brief description of what can be found there.
Please click WebCT in the left column, select "course listings" as a new user,
select"THE" in the category column, and then click on our course in the courses
column. You will be asked for an ID and a password. Each is set initially to
your ULID. This takes you to the set-up screen. The system requires that you
complete the set-up procedure before gaining access to the account. Please follow
these steps:
- Read through the first set-up screen and respond to the question
"Have you already set up my WebCT?" If you have done this for another
class, click "yes". If not, click "no".
- The next set-up screen lists all of your WebCT courses. It
is quite possible that only this class will be listed. If this information is
correct, click "validated".
- In the next set-up screen, re-enter your password and click
"validate passwords".
- The next set-up screen asks for your name and new
passwords. Please continue to use your ULID as your Global ID and then select a
password that you will remember but will not be identifiable to others. Click
"submit".
- The final set-up screen confirms your completion of this
process. You may wish to record the web address given, or you may continue to enter
by linking to WebCT through the course web page.
- From now on, when you click on WebCT from you course page, you
will select "my WebCT", instead of "course listings", since you are
now a registered user. Remember to use your new passwords.
- For subsequent log-ons, the screen you will initially reach allows
you to click directly on our class account, as well as to check whether any new
developments have been posted. Once you click on the course, you will see the course
home page in WebCT. You should find it to be menu-driven from that point with the use of
icons.
Communicating (Forum, Chat Room, etc.)
In the interest of facilitating communication among students
in the class each of you will have access to WebCT. Here you will be able to
communicate with each other in real time in a chat room setting as well as receive and
respond to messages as you log on. This account is available only to class members
and the professor and thus you must enter the password (which will be given to you at the
start of the semester) in order to sign on.
Grades
I will make every attempt to evaluate your work fairly and to
turn assignments around in a timely fashion. Each grade that you receive will be
posted to the gradebook in WebCT as soon as it is available. If a grade does not
appear on the spreadsheet, you can assume that your work has not been graded and therefore
need not ask about it. However, if you believe a grade has been entered
inaccurately, you are encouraged to let me know via e-mail.
Calendar
The calendar in WebCT should keep us on track throughout the
semester. Please refer to the course calendar in WebCT for any changes throughout
the semester. This should be clearer to you once you log onto WebCT.
Course Goals
- Application of the
principles of movement inherent in the theories developed by three
forerunners of modern dance, Martha Graham, Jose Limon, and Doris
Humphrey.
- Understand and
appreciate the distinct principles of and approaches to movement studied
essential to developing an expanded movement vocabulary.
- Physicality of movement
within the process of performance through movement.
-
Application of effective technical skills in a
variety of movement material.
- Proper technical use of the
body in anatomically sound application of movement.
- Philosophical and
historical relevance of the forerunners of modern dance.
- Ability in using the body
as an instrument of artistic expression.
Ability to
perform movement with
a sensitivity to performance and accuracy.
-
Ability to
analyze and discuss personal artistic and technical growth through
instructor feedback and self-assessment.
-
Enhanced
self-discipline and self-motivation in the continual effort to improve
individual performance and satisfaction in dance as a performing art
form.
Course Description
Intermediate modern
technique and theory emphasizing personal expression and dramatic potential
of movement while maintaining clarity and articulation in performance.
Course Grades To Date
Your grades will be continually posted on this web page over the course of the semester.
In order to maintain your confidentiality, the grades will be posted according to the Call
Name or
alias you choose at the beginning of the course. It is important that you not reveal your
secret Call Name to your friends and classmates unless you are comfortable with your
grades being public knowledge. If you
should elect not to have your grades posted in this forum, please see me immediately and I
will insure that they not be posted...however, in those cases, students must come see me
during my office hours to get an update on their progress.
Click here if you would like to view your course grades to
date.
About this Site
In this course, students will study and learn the theories and
fundamentals of a variety of technical forms within the modern dance discipline. You
will be asked to demonstrate your knowledge in a variety of ways - both inside and outside
the classroom. It is my hope that
you will find this site of great assistance throughout the semester as a supplement to our
class and for use outside of the classroom. I will be continually updating
information for classroom use on this page and strongly suggest you "check in"
on a regular basis. This page serves two important functions for our
class...1) to communicate; and 2) to explore the vast use of computer technology in
an academic/performing arts environment.
On the left hand column of this page you will find a number of useful links for our
class. You are responsible for each of these links. In that technology
is what it is...you are responsible for the material associated with these
"links". If you have any "techno difficulty" I would
expect that you will come and see me during my office hours or problem solve (an
under-rated skill) on your own to find a solution to your problem. I will explain
this in more detail in class. Go ahead and click away however and get a jump
start!
"Dancers are part
soldier, part gladiator, part matador.
They possess the disciplined courage of the first,
the brute daring of the second, the finesse of the
last."
JoseŽ Limon, "On Constancy"
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