Faculty Syllabus

• Consistent attendance and active participation in class meetings
• In Take Paper and Weekly journal 
• Discussions (on class and/or online)
• Final self-assessment

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.

RECOMMENDED TEXT: Introduction to Modern Dance Techniques by Joshua Legg 

Instruction in the fundamental techniques and concepts associated with the concert form of modern dance. May be repeated for credit once.

COURSE-LEVEL STUDENT 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 vocabulary related to modern dance both kinesthetically and verbally.
3. Evaluate improvement in biomechanics related to alignment, traveling, coordination, flexibility, and strength/stamina in modern dance disciplines.
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 modern dance as relevant to contemporary practices.

PROGRAM-LEVEL STUDENT 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 modern skills in:

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

There are no prerequisites for DANC-1245 Beginning Modern.

Your grade in this course will reflect your participation and commitment to engaging fully with the concepts and techniques. Your technical growth in dance 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 journal reflections

10% — final self-assessment

10% — attendance and short reflection about community event

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 (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.

In order to advance to Intermediate Modern Dance, a student must achieve the above listed Student Learning Outcomes at an intermediate level. Level placement and progression is based on assessment by a faculty committee. Refer to the Modern Dance Technique Level Placement Rubric in the Dance Student Handbook. Any questions about level placement should be directed to the instructor.

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.

1. All personal belongings, such as cell phones (silenced), backpacks, purses, jackets, dance bags, and shoes, should be stowed in the cubbies provided. 
2. 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.
3. Notebooks and water bottles are allowed in the studio and should be placed in the cubbies provided. 
4. Food, drink (other than water) and chewing gum are not allowed in the dance studio.
5. Please refrain from using body products before and during class that can make the dance floor sticky/slippery.
6. Check for personal belongings when leaving the studio.
7. Please exit the dance studio immediately following class.
8. Only students currently enrolled in DANC-1112 Practicum (Pedagogy), DANC-1301 Dance Composition/Choreography, and the Somatic Movement program are allowed in the studio outside of class time, during scheduled rehearsal times.

• Plan to stay in the dance space for the duration of class. There is allotted break time around halfway through class to use the restroom and refill water.
• Dress appropriately and come to class showered, clean, prepared, and ready to work.
• Do not wear dance shoes outside the studio and do not wear street shoes in the studio. 
• Be on time. If you do come in late, enter quietly without disrupting the class.
• Stay until class ends. If you must leave early, clear it with your instructor before class. If you need to leave in an emergency, exit as quickly and discreetly as possible.
• Completely silence and stow away your cell phone. Even vibration mode is distracting.
• Watch closely and listen first, and then ask relevant and specific questions.
• Listen while the instructor is talking between exercises. Do not talk to your neighbor. Everything is relevant to your learning.
• Respect the personal space of others.
• Respect the dance space. Pick up trash, your clothes, and don’t turn things on, off, up, or down in the space without permission.
• Making mistakes is part of the learning process. Use kind language towards yourself and others in class.
• Stay engaged. Be aware of how your body language is reading. Stay standing unless you are cued to sit down.
• At times, instructors will invite peer to peer feedback. Be aware of the appropriate times for offering feedback.
• If you are lost or confused, continue to move and pick back up where you can. Abrupt stops or dropping out can distract the flow of concentration for others around you.
• If you have further questions about the class material after the instructor has moved on, discuss during a break or after class. 
• The studio is a spatially fluid classroom. Have spatial awareness of where you are in the group and be open and available to switch places when required.
• Remember to thank your accompanist after class!
• Do not record, photograph or post anything without permission from the teacher and the other students in the class.
• The department chair is here to support dance students and faculty. If you have a concern, please reach out to the department chair.

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.