DANC 284: Intermediate 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: DANC 264 or 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 intermediate level 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 intermediate level vocabulary and notations used in choreography
  • demonstrate ability to perform intermediate warm-up routines and procedures
  • demonstrate ability to perform choreographed pop style dances for video and stage
  • demonstrate ability to perform complex styles such as "hip-hop" and contemporary dance such as jazz fusion
  • demonstrate an ability to perform the choreographed intricate movement patterns 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. Intermediate ballet terms and technique
    4. Intermediate level ballet across the floor combinations
    5. Commercial dance movement and positions
    6. Intermediate level 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/Christmas 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- Student Assisted Guidance w/ Beginning Level Students
  3. Application of Research and Home Study- Student Assisted Guidance w/ Beginning Level Students
  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 Attendance of Live Theatre Performance

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

Personal choreographic journals Extensive choreographic notes in sheet music

Examples of Outside Assignments

Research of performers and/or performances in Popular Dance Styles

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Lab, Online Education Lecture, Online Education Lab