Faculty Syllabus

Instruction in the fundamental techniques and concepts associated with ballet. May be repeated for credit once. 2 credit hours. 1 lecture hour + 2 lab hours. This is a 16-week course; students should expect to be in class for 3 hours each week and spend 1-2 hours outside of class doing assignments. 

Instructional Methodology 

This course will meet face to face, students are expected to meet in person on campus for each class period. The instructor uses verbal instructions and physical demonstrations followed by corrections, clarification, and detailed analysis to teach ballet technique. Students will master the steps through observing, listening, and practicing the movements. 

Technology 

Although this course meets face to face, you will need access to a tablet or laptop with internet connection to receive email announcements and track your grade throughout the semester. You may also submit some homework assignments online through Blackboard.

Dress Code

Students are expected to wear form-fitting, exercise-style clothing that enables a full range of movement. This also allows the instructor to observe proper alignment and execution of movement. Students must also wear ballet shoes or socks. Hair must be back and out of the face. Please remove any dangly jewelry and reframe from chewing gum.

This course requires that students complete the following:

• Consistent attendance and active participation in class meetings
• In Take Paper
• Weekly journal entries or discussion responses
• Terminology quiz
• Movement Assessment
• Written self-reflection
• Attendance at dance events (varies by semester)

This is a ZTC (Zero Textbook Cost) section. In place of required textbooks, all textbook materials needed for the class will be available online to students free of charge. Students may print copies of the resources but will be responsible for printing costs.

Resources will include articles, excerpts and chapters, which will be provided within each module on Blackboard. A curated selection of dance films and videos will also be provided within each module on Blackboard. Students will be expected to access links to YouTube, Vimeo, and other public sources.

Recommended Text: Dance Anatomy (second edition) by Jacqui Greene Haas

The course subjects will include the foundational aspects of ballet movement, terminology, and history. The instructor will teach with an emphasis on principles of anatomy and kinesiology.

COURSE-LEVEL LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this course, students will: 

1. Recognize and exhibit dance class etiquette such as spatial awareness, active listening, personal responsibility, commitment to the practice, and respect for the larger community of dance.
2. Demonstrate understanding of beginning ballet terminology and the associated movements.
3. Exhibit understanding of the biomechanics related to ballet such as alignment, coordination, femoral rotation, flexibility, and strength.
4. Exhibit increased facility in movement phrasing, rhythmic accuracy, and execution of learned movement (picking up material quickly). 
5. Articulate an understanding of the legacy of ballet as relevant to contemporary practice.

PROGRAM-LEVEL LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students will demonstrate in studio classes and performances a sound foundation of technical skills in ballet, modern, and jazz technique. Upon completion of this course, students will demonstrate beginning-intermediate level Ballet skills in:

• Placement and Alignment
• Rhythmic clarity
• Spatial awareness
• Individual expression
• Professionalism

Your grade in this course will reflect your participation and commitment to engaging fully with the concepts and techniques. Your technical growth in ballet will result naturally from the learning process, but it is not the basis on which the course will be graded. The breakdown of your criteria for grading is below:

70% — attendance + participation in class

10% — weekly assignments (journal entries, lecture responses, attendance at dance events, etc.)

10% — terminology quiz

10% — movement assessment & self-reflection

Grading scale:

A — 90-100%

B — 80-89%

C — 70-79%

D — 60-69%

F — 0-59%

This is the most important factor to your success in this course. Students are expected to arrive early or on time for class and be present in the room for the duration of class. Please communicate any planned absences to the instructor via e-mail prior to the absence. Students are allowed two (1) absence without penalty; following that, the attendance grade will be deducted. Missing more than four class periods for any reason will result in your grade dropping by a full letter grade (i.e. A to B, C to D). The instructor will recommend dropping the course if a student misses five or more class periods for any reason.

Attendance Policy

Attendance and Participation will weigh the most on a student’s overall class grade and will be determined by the following, totaling 2.5 points per class meeting: 

1. Attendance (up to 1 point)  
   1. Arrive on time 
   2. Stay until the end
2. Participation (up to 1.5 points)
   1. Dance fully - Push the edge of your personal physicality while listening to and voicing your bodily needs so as to not cause injury 
   2. Demonstrate individual comprehension and improvement of movement  
   3. Engage in the learning process through listening, following instructions, and asking questions 
   4. Bring a supportive attitude to class 
   5. Work with others respectfully 

All students will receive an exempt grade for their first missed class. After that, each missed class will receive a 0 as daily attendance. 

• Students do not need to present faculty with doctor's notes, etc. UNLESS the illness or other emergency results in missing more than two classes, at which time the situation becomes an extenuating circumstance and other actions (dropping the course, etc.) may need to be considered. Your health and safety are the highest priority.
• Communication is extremely important with attendance issues beyond two absences. Speaking with the instructor in advance, when possible, allows for us to create a plan for success if you have extenuating circumstances that will affect your attendance.

Weekly assignments such as journaling will have a 24-hour grace period with no deduction; this EXCLUDES exams, assessments, or other time sensitive assignments. Work that is submitted more than 24 hours after a deadline will receive a 10% deduction. If an assignment is more than three (3) days late and you have not communicated with the professor and received approval, it will receive a zero. No late work is accepted at all during the final week of the course.

Please see the link to policies and procedures here. 

Generative AI

1. Introduction: In this course, the use of generative AI (GAI) technologies is strictly prohibited to preserve academic integrity and ensure the development of student competencies. 
2. Rationale: The prohibition is in place to encourage original thought, manual problem-solving skills, and to maintain equity in educational opportunities and assessments.
3. Definition of GAI: Generative AI refers to artificial intelligence systems that can generate text, images, or other content based on minimal input. This includes chatbots, image generation tools, and code assistants.
4. Usage Permissions: Prohibited: Students are not allowed to use GAI for completing assignments, projects, tests, or any form of assessment in this course.
5. Penalties: Any violation of this policy will result in academic penalties which may include a failing grade for the activity, reporting to academic affairs, and further disciplinary action.
6. Exceptions: Exceptions to this policy will only be made under specific circumstances approved by the instructor, typically where technology is used to accommodate learning differences.

Health & Safety Protocols 

Operational areas of ACC campuses and centers are fully open and accessible through all public entrances. While some health & safety protocols are no longer mandatory, 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. 

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 at: www.austincc.edu/about-acc/academic-integrity-and-disciplinary-process.

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 November 18. 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.

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 coursework must be completed by a date set by the student and professor. This date may not be later than two weeks before 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 in an I grade. 

1. Before 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 before 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 the name), and then email it to the student.  The student will then complete his/her section, sign (by typing in the 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 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.