REQUIRED TEXTS/MATERIALS

IN CLASS:

• Attending class prepared to physically move all embodied principles of the course

• Bring a notebook to every class
• Complete the reading and writing assignments
• Complete in-class assignments
• Pass the final projects

Written assignments: detailed criteria will be emailed

• Week 5: Paper #1: narrative on Laban’s history (not to exceed 4 pages) 15pts
• Week 14 Paper #2: Written analysis of a Poem-n-movement in LMA terms (include motif and about 2 written pages) 15pts

In-class movement demonstration assignments: detailed criteria will be emailed

• Week 9: Informal Observation (analysis and motif)- Graded HM assignment: what is BESS in LMA terms and real applications/examples 10pts
• Week 14 Poem-n-movement (include motif) 20pts
• Week 16 Scale Demonstrations 20pts total

GRADING SYSTEM

Grading Breakdown:

• Participation 20pts
• Readings 10pts
• Papers 15pts each
• Poem-n-movement

demonstration 20pts

• Dimensional and Diagonal Scale movement demonstration  10pts
• My Body-scale movement demonstration 10pts
• !If an assignment is handed in after the due date an automatic 2 points is taken off, and if an assignment is not completed by the end of the semester no credit will be given for that assignment.

BOOKS:

Required:

• Guest, Ann Hutchinson Motif Notation. To find look on the Language of Dance website
• Moore , Carol-Lynne. Meaning in Motion
• Moore, Carol-Lynne, Yamaoto, Kaoru: Beyond Words (2012).
• Wahl, Colleen. Laban/Bartenieff Movement Studies: Contemporary Applications (2019).

Recommended and will be used in class- via emailed scans

• Fernandes, Ciane. The Moving Researcher
• Laban, Rudolf. Choreutics
• S. Karen: Everybody is a Body

HOMEWORK:

Reading assignments:

• Week 1
  • Beyond Words Chapter 2
  • Everybody is a Body (hand out)
  • Four Major Themes/BESS
  • L/BMS glossary terms

• Week 2:
  • L/BMS Chapter 1 and 2
  • MIM pg. 7-13
• Week 3
  • Motif Notation (MN) pg. v, 1-2, 6-8
  • MIM 35-36, 89-101
  • L/BMS Chapter 6
• Week 4:
  • Everybody is a Body (hand out)
• Week 5:
  • MIM pg. 32-33
  • MN pg. vii and 17
  • MR 139-141 (email)
  • Everybody is a Body (hand out)

• Week 6:
  • L/BMS Chapter 4
  • MIM pg. 63-72, and 127-136

• Week 7:
  • MR pg. 142-161 and 214-227 (emailed)

• Week 9:
  • Everybody is a Body (hand out)

• Week 10:
  • MIM pg. 75-85
• Week 11
  • MR pg. 181-194 (emailed)
  • L/BMS Chapter 5
• Week 15
  • Everybody is a Body (hand out)

COURSE OUTLINE/CALENDAR: “Please note that schedule changes may occur during the semester.  Any changes will be announced in class and posted as a Blackboard Announcement (or other resource faculty is using to communicate).”

Attire:

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES, GENERAL EDUCATION COMPETENCIES, & SCANS

Course Outcomes: Develop a method to seeing and language for describing, visualizing, interpreting and documenting human movement. Demonstrate a core knowledge of Rudolf Laban’s theories designed to improve and change repetitive and unhealthy movement patterns and his desire to find harmonious relationships between people and their environment. Explain Laban’s method to analyzing movement, and interpret meaning with the aim to assess the somatic needs in individuals.. Develop pedagogy and group facilitation skills.

Course Objectives:

• Learn introductory to Laban Movement Analysis
  • 4 Major Themes, (BESS) Body, Effort, Shape and Space, Basic Body Actions, Motif symbols, graphs and grammar, Movement Choirs, Motion Factors and Dimensional and Diagonal Scales, Modes of Shape Change, Kinesphere, Relationships, and Laban’s history and context within the field of dance, choreography and somatic movement education
• Develop movement coordination
• Increase proprioception and spatial awareness
• Obtain knowledge about how to observe movements in people and animals
• Improve pedagogy skills
• Learn how to write a movement analysis using the LMA grammar and symbols
• Gain confidence in presenting information and movement explorations to a group of people
• Engage with creativity to understand complex movement theories
• Receive a certificate from the Laban/Bartenieff Institute of Movement Studies Introductory Course program

Attendance/Class Participation:

For ISMETA approval a student must attend 500 hours with a RSME instructor to complete the attendance requirement. Within our program a student can miss 9 hours of class time without interrupting the required ISMETA hours. Being late to class 3 times will be a loss of 1 hour. No one will be allowed to attend class, without speaking with the instructor prior, if they arrive 30 minutes after class has started or leaving 30 minutes before class ends; you will be marked absent for the full day.  

You may make up classes during the semester by attending an ISMETA workshop (online or in person) and hand in a written paragraph about the workshop you attended.

Send me the following:

1. Name of the workshop, date and time, instructor's name and number of hours and what absences you are applying them towards.

2.  Describe the goals/outcome of the workshop.

3. Describe your embodied experience of the work.

**Prior to attending a make-up workshop: Inform me that you will be attending .

Email me the paragraph. 

You may not miss one of our classes to attend a workshop.

If upon completing the program and a student has exceeded the allowed absences but has passed all other components of the program, they will be required to make up the missed hours by working on their own attending other approved workshops to fill in the missing time. Depending on the number of hours a student may discuss with the instructor if they should pursue ISMETA’s Independent Track or work out a solution to still apply for Fast Track.

Withdrawal Policy

“It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the rolls should they decide to withdraw from the class.  The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should he or she feel it is necessary.  If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is recorded before the Final Withdrawal Date.  The Final Withdrawal Date for this semester is [insert date here].  The student is also strongly encouraged to keep any paperwork in case a problem arises.

Students are responsible for understanding the impact that withdrawal from a course may have on their financial aid, veterans’ benefits, and international student status.  Per state law, students enrolling for the first time in Fall 2007 or later at any public Texas college or university may not withdraw (receive a “W”) from more than six courses during their undergraduate college education. Some exemptions for good cause could allow a student to withdraw from a course without having it count toward this limit. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor when making decisions about course selection, course loads, and course withdrawals.”

Missed Exam and Late Work Policies

Each instructor should clearly express their policies with regard to missed exams, late homework or laboratory exercises, etc.  Again, this helps immensely when dealing with student grade disputes.
 

Incompletes

“An incomplete (grade of "I") will only be given for extenuating circumstances.  What constitutes “extenuating circumstances” is left to the instructor’s discretion.  If a grade of I is given, the remaining course work must be completed by a date set by the student and professor.  This date may not be later than two weeks prior to the end of the following semester.  A grade of I also requires completion and submission of the Incomplete Grade form, to be signed by the faculty member (and student if possible) and submitted to the department chair.

Students may request an Incomplete from their faculty member if they believe circumstances warrant.  The faculty member will determine whether the Incomplete is appropriate to award or not.  The following processes must be followed when awarding a student an I grade. 

1.      Prior to the end of the semester in which the “I” is to be awarded, the student must meet with the instructor to determine the assignments and exams that must be completed prior to the deadline date.  This meeting can occur virtually or in person.  The instructor should complete the Report of Incomplete Grade form.

2.      The faculty member will complete the form, including all requirements to complete the course and the due date, sign (by typing in name) and then email it to the student.  The student will then complete his/her section, sign (by typing in name), and return the completed form to the faculty member to complete the agreement.  A copy of the fully completed form can then be emailed by the faculty member to the student and the department chair for each grade of Incomplete that the faculty member submits at the end of the semester.   

3.      The student must complete all remaining work by the date specified on the form above.  This date is determined by the instructor in collaboration with the student, but it may not be later than the final withdrawal deadline in the subsequent long semester.  

4.      Students will retain access to the course Blackboard page through the subsequent semester in order to submit work and complete the course. Students will be able to log on to Blackboard and have access to the course section materials, assignments, and grades from the course and semester in which the Incomplete was awarded.  

5.      When the student completes the required work by the Incomplete deadline, the instructor will submit an electronic Grade Change Form to change the student’s performance grade from an “I” to the earned grade of A, B, C, D, or F. 

If an Incomplete is not resolved by the deadline, the grade automatically converts to an “F.”  Approval to carry an Incomplete for longer than the following semester or session deadline is not frequently granted.”

DANCE DEPARTMENT AND GENERAL ACC POLICIES

ACC Dance Department Policies 

Participation

Dance class is participatory. The dance studio is the laboratory for learning. If you are unable to fully participate in every class meeting, please obtain an official note from the Student Accessibility Services (SAS) office so we can work to best accommodate your needs, or consider dropping the class. 

Attendance 

Tardiness 

Be on time and plan to stay for the entire class session. This course is a participation course that requires students to be present for warm-ups, movement combinations, evaluations, discussions, and all other class activities.

Absence

Students are expected to attend all class meetings. Missing more than 25 minutes of class is considered an absence.

The instructor may withdraw students who accumulate three unexcused absences from the course. Being withdrawn from class for excessive absences may affect a student’s financial aid status.  It is the student’s responsibility to communicate with the financial aid office. 

Professional Behavior 

Professional Conduct

Approach each class with the intent to improve your dance technique and dance artistry. The course grade will reflect individual commitment and focus, ability, attitude, and progress. Unprofessional conduct that undermines the integrity of the course material, other class participants, or the instructor, will not be tolerated. A student conducting themselves in an unprofessional manner may be asked to leave. If the behavior continues, the professor reserves the right to withdraw the student. If there is a conduct issue with a fellow student, speak with the professor immediately.

Professional Communication 

When communicating with a professor, the content of your communication should only include relevant information or questions about the course. More thorough discussions about the course or personal matters affecting your ability to complete the course, require an office-hour meeting.

Physical Touch Disclaimer

The use of physical touch is a routine and beneficial teaching practice in dance classes and rehearsals. If you have specific concerns regarding the use of touch in the classroom, please inform the instructor at the beginning of the semester, in writing.  You have the right to refuse the use of touch. 

Dance Class Attire

Students are required to wear clothing that safely facilitates all varieties of movement. This includes leotards, tights, yoga wear, t-shirts, supportive undergarments (bras, dance belts, etc.), and appropriate footwear at the discretion of the instructor. 

THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE jeans, bare midriffs, short-shorts, jewelry, belts, hats, or street shoes. You will not be allowed to participate in class if you are not dressed according to your instructor’s guidelines.

Dance Studio Policies

All personal belongings, such as cell phones (silenced), backpacks, purses, jackets, dance bags, and shoes, should be stowed in the changing area adjacent to the studio. 

Phone policy: texting and talking on the phone is prohibited in the entire studio area. Phone use before or after class only. Phone use outside in the hallways only. Fit-Bit or Apple watches must be put to silence and notifications turned off.

Notebooks and water bottles are allowed in the studio and should be placed off the Marley floor. 

Food, drink (other than water) and chewing gum are not allowed in the dance studio.

Health & Safety Protocols

Operational areas of ACC campuses and centers are fully open and accessible through all public entrances.  The college encourages its staff, faculty, and students to be mindful of the well-being of all individuals on campus.  If you feel sick, feverish, or unwell, please do not come to campus.

Some important things to remember:

• If you have not done so, ACC encourages all students, faculty, and staff to get vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines are now widely available throughout the community. Visit www.vaccines.gov/ to find a vaccine location near you.

• Campuses are open to faculty, staff, and students.  The college and its departments and offices may invite internal and external guests to their events and activities, though access is still restricted for external parties seeking to host activities at ACC.  The college’s Appian Health Screening App remains available to everyone who visits campus. This continues to be a good way to check your own health before coming to class or work. 

• If you are experiencing COVID-19-related symptoms, please get a COVID-19 test as soon as possible before returning to an ACC facility.  Testing is now widely available.  To find testing locations near you, click this link.

• If you test positive, please report it on the ACC self-reporting tool located here.

• ACC continues to welcome face masks on campus.  Per CDC guidelines, face masks remain a good way to protect yourself from COVID-19. 
  
   
• The college asks that we all continue to respect the personal space of others. We are encouraging 3 feet of social distancing.
  
   
• Please be sure to carry your student, faculty, or staff ID badge at all times while on campus.
  
   

Because of the everchanging situation, please go to ACC’s Covid website at https://www.austincc.edu/coronavirus?ref=audiencemenu for the latest updates and guidance.

Statement on Academic Integrity

Austin Community College values academic integrity in the educational process.  Acts of academic dishonesty/misconduct undermine the learning process, present a disadvantage to students who earn credit honestly, and subvert the academic mission of the institution. The potential consequences of fraudulent credentials raise additional concerns for individuals and communities beyond campus who rely on institutions of higher learning to certify students' academic achievements and expect to benefit from the claimed knowledge and skills of their graduates. Students must follow all instructions given by faculty or designated college representatives when taking examinations, placement assessments, tests, quizzes, and evaluations.  Actions constituting scholastic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, collusion, falsifying documents, or the inappropriate use of the college’s information technology resources.  Further information is available athttps://www.austincc.edu/about-acc/academic-integrity-and-disciplinary-process

Any course specific policies, expectations, or procedures could be included here.

Student Rights & Responsibilities

Students at ACC have the same rights and protections under the Constitution of the United States. These rights include freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, petition and association. As members of the community, students have the right to express their own views, but must also take responsibility for according the same rights to others and not interfere or disrupt the learning environment. Students are entitled to fair treatment, are expected to act consistently with the values of the college, and obey local, state, and federal laws. www.austincc.edu/srr

As a student of Austin Community College you are expected to abide by the Student Standards of Conduct. https://www.austincc.edu/students/students-rights-and-responsibilities/student-standards-of-conduct 

Senate Bill 212 and Title IX Reporting Requirements 

Under Senate Bill 212 (SB 212), the faculty and all College employees are required to report any information concerning incidents of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking committed by or against an ACC student or employee. Federal Title IX law and College policy also require reporting incidents of sex- and gender-based discrimination and sexual misconduct. This means faculty and non-clinical counseling staff cannot keep confidential information about any such incidents that you share with them.

If you would like to talk with someone confidentiality, please contact the District Clinical Counseling Team who can connect you with a clinical counselor on any ACC campus:  (512) 223-2616, or to schedule online: https://www.austincc.edu/students/counseling . 

While students are not required to report, they are encouraged to contact the Compliance Office for resources and options:  Charlene Buckley, District Title IX Officer, (512) 223-7964;  compliance@austincc.edu .

If a student makes a report to a faculty member, the faculty member will contact the District Title IX Officer for follow-up.

Student Complaints

A defined process applies to complaints about an instructor or other college employee. You are encouraged to discuss concerns and complaints with college personnel and should expect a timely and appropriate response. When possible, students should first address their concerns through informal conferences with those immediately involved; formal due process is available when informal resolution cannot be achieved.

Student complaints may include (but are not limited to) issues regarding classroom instruction, college services and offices on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or disability.

Further information about the complaints process, including the form used to submit complaints, is available at:http://www.austincc.edu/students/students-rights-and-responsibilities/student-complaint-procedures

Statement on Privacy

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects confidentiality of students’ educational records. Grades cannot be provided by faculty over the phone, by e-mail, or to a fellow student.

Class grades should be posted in Blackboard, and this could be mentioned here.

Recording Policy

To ensure compliance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), student recording of class lectures or other activities is generally prohibited without the explicit written permission of the instructor and notification of other students enrolled in the class section.  Exceptions are made for approved accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

Recording of lectures and other class activities may be made by faculty to facilitate instruction, especially for classes taught remotely through BlackBoard Collaborate or another platform.  Participation in such activities implies consent for the student to be recorded during the instructional activity.  Such recordings are intended for educational and academic purposes only.

Safety Statement

Health and safety are of paramount importance in classrooms, laboratories, and field activities. Students are expected to learn and comply with ACC environmental, health and safety procedures and agree to follow ACC safety policies.  Emergency Procedures posters and Campus Safety Plans are posted in each classroom and should be reviewed at the beginning of each semester.  All incidents (injuries/illness/fire/property damage/near miss) should be immediately reported to the course instructor. Additional information about safety procedures and how to sign up to be notified in case of an emergency can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/emergency

Everyone is expected to conduct themselves professionally with respect and courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual may be immediately dismissed from the day’s activity and will be referred to the Dean of Student Services for disciplinary action.

In the event of disruption of normal classroom activities due to an emergency situation or an outbreak of illness, the format for this course may be modified to enable completion of the course. In that event, students will be provided an addendum to the class syllabus that will supersede the original version.

Campus Carry

The Austin Community College District concealed handgun policy ensures compliance with Section 411.2031 of the Texas Government Code (also known as the Campus Carry Law), while maintaining ACC’s commitment to provide a safe environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors.  Beginning August 1, 2017, individuals who are licensed to carry (LTC) may do so on campus premises except in locations and at activities prohibited by state or federal law, or the college’s concealed handgun policy. 

It is the responsibility of license holders to conceal their handguns at all times.  Persons who see a handgun on campus are asked to contact the ACC Police Department by dialing 512-223-1231.   Please refer to the concealed handgun policy online at http://austincc.edu/campuscarry

Discrimination Prohibited

The College seeks to maintain an educational environment free from any form of discrimination or harassment including but not limited to discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.

Faculty at the College are required to report concerns regarding sexual misconduct (including all forms of sexual harassment and sex and gender-based discrimination) to the Manager of Title IX/Title VI/ADA Compliance.  Licensed clinical counselors are available across the District and serve as confidential resources for students.

Additional information about Title VI, Title IX, and ADA compliance can be found in the ACC Compliance Resource Guide available at: 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xfmZHOPD_H1wgGKq1N7Irv6gvXxOXzbZ/view

Use of ACC email

All College e-mail communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s ACCmail account, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion. ACC will send important information and will notify students of any college- related emergencies using this account. Students should only expect to receive email communication from their instructor using this account.  Likewise, students should use their ACCmail account when communicating with instructors and staff.  Information about ACC email accounts, including instructions for accessing it, are available at:  http://www.austincc.edu/help/accmail/questions-and-answers

Use of the Testing Center

The Testing Centers will allow only limited in person testing and testing time will be limited to the standard class time, typically one and one-half hours.  Specifically, only the following will be allowed in the Testing Centers:

• Student Accessibility Services (SAS) Testing: All approved SAS testing
• Assessments Tests: Institutionally approved assessment tests (e.g., TSIA or TABE)
• Placement Tests: Placement tests (e.g., ALEKS)
• Make-Up Exams (for students who missed the original test): Make-up testing is available for all lecture courses but will be limited to no more than 25% of students enrolled in each section for each of four tests
• Programs incorporating industry certification exams: Such programs (e.g., Microsoft, Adobe, etc.) may utilize the ACC Business Assessment Center for the industry certification exams (BACT) at HLC or RRC

The instructor should provide additional information about how they will conduct examinations and other assessments here.

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

The success of our students is paramount, and ACC offers a variety of support services to help, as well as providing numerous opportunities for community engagement and personal growth.

Student Support

ACC strives to provide exemplary support to its students and offers a broad variety of opportunities and services.  Information on these campus services and resources is available at  http://www.austincc.edu/students.  A comprehensive array of student support services is available online at:

https://www.austincc.edu/coronavirus/remote-student-support 

Student Accessibility Services

Austin Community College (ACC) is committed to providing a supportive, accessible, and inclusive learning environment for all students.  Each campus offers support services for students with documented disabilities. Students with disabilities who need classroom, academic or other accommodations must request them through Student Accessibility Services (SAS).

Students are encouraged to request accommodations when they register for courses or at least three weeks before the start of each semester they are enrolled, otherwise the provision of accommodations may be delayed.  Students who have received approval for accommodations from SAS for this course must provide the instructor with the legal document titled “Notice of Approved Accommodations (NAA)” from SAS.

Until the instructor receives the NAA from the student accommodations should not be provided.  Once the NAA is received, accommodations must be provided.  Accommodations are not retroactive, so it is in the student’s best interest to deliver the NAA on the first day of class.  

Please contact SAS@austincc.edu for more information.

Academic Support

ACC offers academic support services on all of its campuses. These services, which include online tutoring, academic coaching, and supplemental instruction, are free to enrolled ACC students. Tutors are available in a variety of subjects ranging from accounting to pharmacology. Students may receive these services on both a drop-in and referral basis. 

An online tutor request can be made here:

https://de.austincc.edu/bbsupport/online-tutoring-request/

Additional tutoring information can be found here:

austincc.edu/onlinetutoring

Library Services

ACC Library Services offers both in-person and extensive online services, with research and assignment assistance available in-person during limited hours of service. Although all college services are subject to change, plans include ACC students signing up for study space and use of computers at open libraries, extensive online instruction in classes, online reference assistance 24/7 and reference with ACC faculty librarians. In addition, currently enrolled students, faculty and staff can access Library Services online (also 24/7) via the ACC Library website and by using their ACCeID to access all online materials (ebooks, articles from library databases, and streaming videos). ACC Libraries offer these services in numerous ways such as: "Get Help from a Faculty Librarian: the 24/7 Ask a Librarian chat service," an online form for in-depth research Q and A sessions, one-on-one video appointments, email, and phone (voicemail is monitored regularly).

• Library Website: http://library.austincc.edu
• Library Information & Services during COVID-19: https://researchguides.austincc.edu/LSinfoCOVID19
• Ask a Librarian 24/7 chat and form: https://library.austincc.edu/help/ask.php
• Library Hours of Operation by Location: https://library.austincc.edu/loc/
• Email: library@austincc.edu

Student Organizations

ACC has over seventy student organizations, offering a variety of cultural, academic, vocational, and social opportunities.  They provide a chance to meet with other students who have the same interests, engage in service-learning, participate in intramural sports, gain valuable field experience related to career goals, and much else.  Student Life coordinates many of these activities, and additional information is available athttp://sites.austincc.edu/sl/.

Personal Support

Resources to support students are available at every campus. To learn more, ask your professor or visit the campus Support Center. All resources and services are free and confidential. Some examples include, among others:

• Food resources including community pantries and bank drives can be found here:

https://www.centraltexasfoodbank.org/food-assistance/get-food-now

• Assistance with childcare or utility bills is available at any campus Support Center:http://www.austincc.edu/students/support-center.
• The Student Emergency Fund can help with unexpected expenses that may cause you to withdraw from one or more classes: http://www.austincc.edu/SEF.
• Help with budgeting for college and family life is available through the Student Money Management Office:http://sites.austincc.edu/money/.  
• A full listing of services for student parents is available at: https://www.austincc.edu/students/child-care
• The CARES Act Student Aid will help eligible students pay expenses related to COVID-19: 

https://www.austincc.edu/coronavirus/cares-act-student-aid.   

Mental health counseling services are available throughout the ACC Student Services District to address personal and or mental health concerns: http://www.austincc.edu/students/counseling .

If you are struggling with a mental health or personal crisis, call one of the following numbers to connect with resources for help.  However, if you are afraid that you might hurt yourself or someone else, call 911 immediately.

Free Crisis Hotline Numbers:

• Austin / Travis County 24-hour Crisis & Suicide hotline: 512-472-HELP (4357)
• The Williamson County 24-hour Crisis hotline: 1-800-841-1255
• Bastrop County Family Crisis Center hotline: 1-888-311-7755
• Hays County 24 Hour Crisis Hotline: 1-877-466-0660
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• Crisis Text Line: Text “home” to 741741
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline:   1-800-662-HELP (4357)
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline:1-800-950-NAMI (6264)