DANC 264: Beginning Popular Dance Techniques

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2021
Credits: 4
Total Contact Hours: 162
Lecture Hours : 36
Lab Hours: 126
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 72
Prerequisite: Audition.
District General Education: E1. Dance Activity
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: Yes - Approved
Grading Method: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass

Catalog Course Description

This course is an in-depth performance experience focusing on popular dance styles. The fundamentals of dance will be reviewed, and a focus on modern dance styles and techniques will be explored. Concepts of commercial dance techniques for videos and pop stage will also be studied. 36 lecture hours, 126 lab hours.

Course Objectives

  • demonstrate familiarity with beginning level vocabulary and notations used in choreography
  • demonstrate ability to perform basic warm-up routines and procedures
  • demonstrate ability to perform choreographed pop style dances for video and stage
  • demonstrate ability to perform basic styles of such as “hip-hop” and contemporary dance such as jazz fusion
  • demonstrate an ability to perform the choreographed basics of commercial dance
  • demonstrate the ability to transform modern musical concepts into choreographed movements

Major Course Content

  1. Fundamentals of Dance
    1. Contemporary commercial dance/movement terminology
    2. Positions and exercises and their correct usage
    3. Basic ballet terms and technique
    4. Beginning level ballet across the floor combinations
    5. Commercial dance movement and positions
    6. Techniques and terms of hip-hop, jazz and jazz fusion dance
  2. History and Advancement of Contemporary Dance
    1. Communication through dance
    2. Presentation of modern careers in commercial dance
    3. Review and critique of performances
  3. Preparation of Pop Show Production
    1. Learning the choreography
    2. Learning the score
    3. Learning individual movement and parts
    4. Individual work with students to develop style and fluidity in their movement
    5. Group rehearsal; cleaning dances and blocking
    6. Dress rehearsal
  4. Final Performance/Project
    1. Critique of performance/project; what did and did not work and why
    2. Improvements to be made for further performances/projects

Lab Content

  1. Rehearsal of Given Choreographic Combinations
  2. Assimilation of Instructor Notes
  3. Application of Research and Home Study
  4. Refinement of Notes through Individual Rehearsal
  5. Group Feedback
  6. Rehearsals on Set and in Costume
    1. Spacing Rehearsals
    2. Orchestra Rehearsals
    3. Sound Rehearsals
    4. Lighting Rehearsals
    5. Costume Parade and Fittings
    6. Dress and Final Dress Rehearsals
  7. Public Performances
  8. Individual Rehearsals Assimiliation of Notes
    1. Memorize Blocking
    2. Memorize Spacing
    3. Individual's Character Assimilation to Choreography
    4. Integration of Costume/Sound to gesture and performance

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

Internet Research, Dance Videos

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

Rehearsal skills and performance readiness are more accurate means of evaluating progress than written examinations.

Examples of Outside Assignments

Keep journal of rehearsal notes and observations. Rehearse and refine choreography given in class. Research and refine character development from in class instruction.

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Lab, Online Education Lecture, Online Education Lab