Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2022 - CA 324 D100

Approaches to Composition (3)

Class Number: 7001

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 7 – Dec 6, 2022: Tue, Thu, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    GOLDCORP

  • Prerequisites:

    CA (or FPA) 124, 228W, and 285.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Focused on learning different movement based compositional methods used to make new work. Students will apply new compositional ideas, expanding and setting material in space and working with different approaches of music, light and sound. Students will work with peers from production and design and other areas to create specific projects. Students with credit for FPA 324 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.

COURSE DETAILS:

This class explores ways to generate material for the making of dances.  Through an exploration and manipulation of movement structure, we will expand personal vocabularies and impulses into a more distinctive practice for each student.  Through improvisation and movement studies we will explore the major elements of composition and focus on interdisciplinary techniques in performance drawing on a range of methods and disciplines

Grading

  • Participation 30%
  • Assignments 30%
  • Written assignments 20%
  • Work journal 10%
  • Profile 10%

REQUIREMENTS:

Assignments:                   

Movement studies will be assigned daily.  Larger projects will be assigned with an indicated due date.  Be prepared to show your work daily.  You are required to keep all material you are working on at performance level during the semester.  You will be required to keep up on the reading assignments and be prepared to discuss the text, your assignments and your classmates work in class.

 

Written Assignments:                

Some of the exercises in class will require you to write compositional strategies for your process and you will have short writings to complete from the text.  These assignments are to be handed in at designated dates throughout the semester. 

 

Work Journal:

You are required to keep a journal for this class.  You should use this as a tool for each project and keep regular written reactions and evaluations of the reading and assignments.  The journal will be collected periodically.  

 

Profile

The profile will be material you will develop for an online artist site.  This material will include an artist statement, resume and some documentation of recent projects.  This assignment is a personal profile meant to be an ongoing process you can continue to build on beyond the course.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

A Choreographers Handbook, Jonathan Burrows
ISBN: 9780415555302

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html