Faculty Syllabus

Instruction in dance performance through experiential projects at the sophomore level. May be repeated for credit once.

Credit Hours: 64 contact hours. In a 8-week semester, students should expect to commit 8 hours/week to this class.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

FALL 2026 1:00-3:00 pm ONLINE CLASS MEETINGS 

• The class meets together for 2 hour and consists of warm-up with stretching, conditioning, improvising and writing exercises.

• The Instructor will email the students an online Zoom meeting link one week before the class begins.

• Video participation is required in this online dance course. To facilitate safe practice, students will be expected to turn their camera on and ensure faculty can see them in motion.

• Class participation, self-motivation and the practice of tolerance during creation process.

• Come to each class prepared to participate in the assigned dance material.

• Wear comfortable non-restrictive clothing. 

There are no required readings for this course.

 Periodically the instructor may provide hand-outs with information relevant to a particular unit of study.  Students are encouraged to read additional books on dance or articles in magazines and newspapers regarding dance.  Good sources include: The Village Voice, The New York Times and Dance Magazine.

This class consists primarily of a  warm-up with conditioning, stretching and a choreographic creation and rehearsal time. Students will then use the  material from class time  to create and film movement phrases. The movement phrases will then be uploaded to a Google site and this will become the material for the dance film. The video footage will be edited by the instructor and a paid professional video editor. The completed film will be shown to a live audience at the Fall 2026 Choreographer's Showcase.

COURSE LEVEL STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this course, students will:

1. Recognize and exhibit dance rehearsal etiquette through active listening, personal responsibility, commitment to the practice, and respect for the larger community of dance. 
2. Demonstrate skills and etiquette necessary for dance performance including auditions, flexibility in the creative process, technical and dress rehearsal requirements, and performances. 
3. Utilize and articulate basic terminology necessary for performing in dance productions. 
4. Analyze basic performance skills and demonstrate ability to expand expressive artistry through performed movement. 
5. Adapt to different performance environments

PROGRAM LEVEL STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOME

Students will display the fundamental skills and techniques necessary for creation of dance, to be filmed, including memory/recall, whole body coordination, spatial awareness, movement quality/musicality, emotive sense, and the ability to incorporate feedback, at an intermediate level.

The course grade will reflect the individual commitment and focus to the work each student applies and will be determined as follows:

Responsibility/Preparedness 20 points

(being warmed-up, reviewing material outside of class, striving for excellence  in assigned role.)

Cooperative Attitude, Enthusiasm, Respect for Others 20 points

Participation in Video Taping 60 points

100 points (total)

SCALE

A 90-100 points

B 80-89 points

C 70-79 points

D 60-69 points

F  below 60 points

ACC DANCE DEPARTMENT POLICIES

1. 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. 

1. Attendance

Students are required to consistently attend all dance studio courses as this is crucial to progressing and advancing safely. Therefore, Attendance and Participation make up a significant portion of dance studio course grades. Refer to the course syllabus for specific details.

1. Tardiness 

Be on time and plan to stay for the entire class session. Students are required to be present for warm-ups, movement practices, evaluations, discussions, and all other class activities.

1. Absence

Students are expected to attend all class meetings. The final course grade will be reduced with each unexcused absence.

Students with excessive absences should consider withdrawing from the course by the Withdrawal date. Excessive absences will impact the final grade and may make it difficult for a student to pass the course.

1. Observations

Students are expected to attend and participate in all class meetings. A portion of the student’s daily grade will be deducted for the in-class observation. If a student is 

physically unable to participate in the course, this class observation assignment can be submitted for partial credit. 

3.   Expectations for Continuing Education Students  

Credit and Continuing Education (CE) students are treated equally in dance courses. There is no difference in instruction and expectations for all enrolled students. Full participation is expected from all students, including participation in studio work, performances, oral, and written assignments.

4.   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.

5.  Physical Touch Disclaimer

Learning and growth thrive in an environment where we feel supported. Support in this course is a joint responsibility of us all. Please show respect and care for yourself, community, and environment. There are moments in the course where we will utilize light touch for alignment and technical purposes. As a class, we will practice asking consent prior to utilizing any form of touch. Share your boundaries and whenever needed, stop any activity about which you have concerns. You have the right to refuse the use of touch.

In addition, please communicate any injury, discomfort, disability or area of caution at any time throughout the course so we can adapt experiential learning experiences to support your wellness rather than undermine it.

6.   Dance Class Attire

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

Refer to the course syllabus for attire expectations. Certain pieces of attire, such as jeans, belts, street shoes and jewelry, are damaging to the marley dance floor and can present a hazard to dancers. You will not be allowed to participate in class if you are not dressed according to your instructor’s guidelines. 

7. Dancer Health and Safety

Students in dance studio courses will be responsible for their own maintenance of physical fitness and conditioning. When participating in any physical exercise, movement, or dance activity, there is the possibility of physical injury. You perform physical movement exercises at your own risk. Dance students will learn about musculoskeletal health and injury prevention as part of their ACC Dance studies. To reduce and avoid injury, students are encouraged to be aware of their personal physical limitations and work safely within those, finding modifications when necessary.

ACC provides insurance for student injuries resulting from ACC course-related incidents on- or off campus. In the event of an incident resulting in injury:

• If it is an emergency, call 9-1-1. 
• If it is not an emergency, call campus police (512-223-1231) and seek medical help. The instructor will be required to submit an Incident Reporting Form and a Student Accident Insurance Form.

8. Professional Conduct

Students are expected to approach each class with a growth mindset, exploring 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. If there is a conduct issue with a fellow student, speak with the professor immediately. 

Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual will be dismissed from the day’s activity, may be withdrawn from the class, and/or barred from attending future activities. This includes verbal comments that are considered intimidating, threatening or sexually inappropriate. College policies concerning conduct are found at Code of Conduct - Human Services.

Below are the dance studio policies. It is the student’s responsibility to be familiar with and practice these policies. 

ACC DANCE STUDIO POLICIES

All personal belongings, such as cell phones (silenced), backpacks, purses, jackets, dance bags, and shoes, should be stowed in the cubbies provided. 

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 in the cubbies provided. 

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

Please refrain from using body products before and during class that can make the dance floor sticky/slippery.

Check for personal belongings when leaving the studio.

Please exit the dance studio immediately following class.

Only students currently enrolled in DANC-1301 Dance Composition - Choreography are allowed in the studio outside of class time, during scheduled rehearsal times.

Dance Class Etiquette, Good Dance Habits, and Good Things to Know

Dance Class Etiquette

• Plan to stay in the dance space for the duration of class and use breaktime 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. 
• Dangling and sharp-edged jewelry is a safety hazard. Please remove jewelry prior to class.
• In order to leave as much space as possible for dancing, please place personal belongings in the cubbies.
• Be on time. If you do come in late, enter very quietly and go to the back, with your instructor’s permission.
• 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.

Good Dance Habits

• If you are late, apologize AFTER class. Do not distract the class.  Just wait for the okay from your teacher to enter the dance floor. Once permission is granted, find an easily accessible or inconspicuous place to warm up or participate.
• If you are sitting out, remain engaged. Take notes. Hand in the notes at the end of class.
• Develop spatial awareness by respecting each other’s space.
• Give the instructor space to move.
• Strive to be in the front of the class and push yourself to know the combination.
• At times, instructors will invite peer to peer feedback. Be aware of the appropriate times for offering feedback.
• If you are lost or confused, always continue your movement and pick back up where you can. Abrupt stops or dropping out can distract the flow of concentration for others around you.
• Part like the Red Sea when exiting. Clear the space. Don’t cross the center or the paths of other dancers.
• It’s good to mark combinations while waiting for your turn if you are out of the way.
• If you have further questions about the class material after the instructor has moved on, discuss during a break or after class. 
• At the end of class, applaud or thank the instructor and musician (as part of the group).
• If you are bored, get more engaged, review combinations, ask questions, go deeper, watch others.

Good Things to Know

• Bring a towel to wipe your sweat and germs off the floor, mats or barre. Please wipe and clean your mat with provided wipes after each use. 
• If you feel overly challenged or frustrated during class, stay physically and mentally engaged and spatially aware of other dancers. Ask for additional help after class if needed.
• Applaud for demonstrators.
• 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.
• At the end of class, it’s especially courteous to say thanks to the instructor and musician (one to one).
• Restrain movement in a crowded class until broken into groups. If you bump into someone, quietly apologize and keep going.
• If you have a thought, opinion, or suggestion for the choreographer, wait for an appropriate time to ask if you can share it.
• If you want help with something that will take more than a minute or two, do some research on your own and/or ask for help after class.
• Do not record, photograph or post anything (social media) without permission from the teacher and the students.
• The department chair is here to support dance students and faculty. If you have a concern, please reach out to the department chair.

ACC Generative AI Policy - Dance Department

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.