Spring 2022 - CA 228W E100

Dance Aesthetics (3)

Class Number: 7711

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Wed, 4:30–7:20 p.m.
    GOLDCORP

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An introduction to aesthetic theory as it applies to dance. Lectures will address, among other things, the nature of aesthetic experience, as well as issues pertaining to critical judgment, communication, taste, and high and low art. Students with credit for FPA 228W may not take this course for further credit. Writing.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course addresses philosophical and aesthetic questions relating to dance, reflecting on the experience, production and performance of dance. Students are introduced to a range of perspectives from different thinkers and artists, engage in discussions and writing and begin to learn to articulate the nature of their work in relation to philosophical and critical theory – building on the growing field of dance theory.

Lectures include aesthetic experience, critical judgments, creative process, communication, taste, high and low art and other issues surrounding dance and aesthetic theory. Students will become familiar with the general history and development of aesthetic theory as well as several systems of critical language that apply to all art disciplines. There will also be a focus on writing as a tool for articulating theoretical ideas through low stakes writing logs and essay structures.

Weekly reading assignments will include contextual questions and will be used for in-class discussions as a class and in smaller groups. Some of the course will also be extended into the studio for experiential exploration of the theory. Students will be expected to contribute to class discussions and present material in projects at the end of the semester.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • To understand the basic history and development of aesthetic theory as it relates to dance
  • To observe links between formal choreographic choices, aesthetic value, and meaning-making
  • To understand dance practices as culturally-specific
  • To practice translating movement into words through thick description and critical analysis
  • To read, summarize, and analyze dance scholarship, including accurate identification of key concepts, assertions, and interventions in the work 

  • To develop research questions and thesis statements
  • To make use of the SFU Library resources specific to a given topic
  • To translate research into writing in a variety of different scholarly forms: performance review, critical responses, summary, argumentative essay, blog post

Grading

  • Low-stakes writing assignments 20%
  • Group Blog Post 10%
  • Performance Review 10%
  • Research proposal & Annotated Bibliography 10%
  • Research paper 25%
  • Panel Presentation 5%
  • Participation 20%

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site 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

TEACHING AT SFU IN SPRING 2022

Teaching at SFU in spring 2022 will involve primarily in-person instruction, with safety plans in place.  Some courses will still be offered through remote methods, and if so, this will be clearly identified in the schedule of classes.  You will also know at enrollment whether remote course components will be “live” (synchronous) or at your own pace (asynchronous).

Enrolling in a course acknowledges that you are able to attend in whatever format is required.  You should not enroll in a course that is in-person if you are not able to return to campus, and should be aware that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who may need class or exam accommodations, including in the context of remote learning, are advised to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as early as possible in order to prepare for the spring 2022 term.