BALLROOM DANCE

SYLLABUS

DANCE 135 & 136

 

Instructors: Don Piche & Tisha Trinh

Office: BES-2

Phone: Ext 5032

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

            The course is an introduction to and survey of the American Standard and Latin Ballroom dances currently danced at ballroom dance clubs and at national and international competitions.

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES

            Upon completion of this course the successful student will

            be able to execute the following:

            1. Dance connected to music and a partner using effective techniques

               of leading and following.

            2. Dance Beginning Patterns of The Following

               Dance Groups:

                        American Standard Ballroom

                                    Waltz, Foxtrot and Quickstep

                        Latin Ballroom

                                    Rumba, Bolero, Samba and Tango

                        American Social

                                    Swing, Mambo(Salsa) and Cha Cha

           

Topics:

            1. 90's Dance Etiquette

 

            2. Connecting with a partner: Leading and Following

 

            3. Swing: West Coast, East Coast and Lindy

                        Five Six-Count Basic Figures

                        Five Eight-Count Figures

                        Syncopation Variations

                        Male and Female Styling

 

            4. Waltz (American & Viennese)

                        Five Basic Figures

                        Male and Female Styling

 

            5. Rumba

                        Five Basic Figures

                        Cuban Motion

                        Male and Female Styling

 

            6. Cha Cha

                        Five Basic Figures

                        Cuban Motion

                        Male and Female Styling

 

            7. Fox-trot

                        Primary and Secondary Rhythm

                        Five Primary Rhythm Figures

                        Five Secondary Rhythm Figures

                        Male and Female Styling

 

            8. Quickstep

                        Five Basic Figures

                        Male and Female Styling

 

            9. Tango

                        Five Basic Figures

                        Male and Female Styling                       

 

            10.Samba

                        Five Basic Figures

                        Male and Female Styling

 

            11.The Current Dance Scene: Where and when to dance and

                        expected skill levels.

 

GRADING STANDARDS AND POLICIES:

            Grading will be determined by a point system:

 

            80  points for attendance and participation at each class.

                16 weeks at 5 points per class.

            10  points for good attitude, participation and cooperation.

            10  points for attending field trip to the San Diego Swing Club or

                Southwest Regional Ballroom Championships will be         

                provided.

             5  points for viewing the video tapes of the US Open Swing

                Championships and writing a summary of the names of the

                winners of each competition category.

 

            A = 90 points

            B = 80   "

            C = 70   "

            D = 60   "

 

METHOD OF INSTRUCTION

            Instructors will explain and demonstrate dances.  Students are required to execute in group drills all figures.  Each student is also required to continuously rotate dance partners and limit drills to only those taught in the class.

 

SEXUAL HARRASSMENT

            The course requires physical contact with a dance partner! It is expected, however, that each student will respect the standards of appropriate physical contact as outlined and demonstrated by the instructor at the beginning of the course.  Any violations or deviations of those standards should be reported to the instructor.  They will be dealt with in the appropriate manner.