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The Certificate in Higher Education
The course is designed for those who have
a good grounding in contemporary or classical technique at intermediate
level. It is mainly a practical course, enhanced by related studies
to expand knowledge and understanding of movement and dance. Emphasis
is on technical development, and on preparing and presenting choreographic
work for informal and public performance.
The course aims:
- to offer highly motivated students a
stimulating and challenging environment
- to encourage the development of the
skills needed to produce confident, independent performers
- to develop an understanding of the skills
of analysis, criticism and self-management needed by performers
and creative artists
- to guide and support students in realising
their potential and extending their work towards either further
study or the development of professional careers
Course Content and Teaching Methods
The programme’s course contact time (total:
192 hours) offers opportunities to develop core performance-related
skills, knowledge and understanding through the study of the following
six modules:
Technique
Technical skills will be developed through training in Classical ballet and Contemporary dance-based techniques. Most sessions will begin with a one and a half-hour technique class. There will usually be one ballet class and one contemporary class each week. The technical level of the classes delivered will be largely aimed at intermediate level whilst taking into account the ability of the group as a whole. The pace and challenge of the technique classes will steadily gather momentum as the course progresses through the year.
Relevant anatomical issues relating to correct and safe training will allow students to approach technique from an increasingly informed position. Students will be encouraged and helped to understand how their individual bodies function, and will be given exercises to help maximise their physical potential.
Aims
To improve strength, agility, stamina and control of the body and to raise awareness of safe and effective practice.
Objectives
Technique classes will seek to:
- develop postural alignment, strength, agility, stamina
- improve balance, coordination and control
- encourage participants to use the body as a healthy and expressive instrument
- increase individual’s ability to work with precision in technical/exercises/sequences
- heighten awareness of injury prevention and safe training
- promote effective practice methods to maximise own physical potential.
- draw on the disciplines of contemporary and ballet techniques to develop personal movement range and artistic expression.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this module students will be able to:
- work with a developed sense of personal placement/alignment
- work with improved strength, flexibility, co-ordination, stamina and physical control
- perform movement exercises/sequences accurately within personal physical range
- demonstrate physically an understanding of correct safe training
apply all the technical skills gained to express oneself with increasing confidence as a performer.
Choreography and Performance
Improvisation and Choreography will take place in the form of regular creative workshops lasting an hour and a half and increasing in length near a performance. A dialogue about compositional issues will be constantly present in each session. The focus will be on the development of a physical-kinetic awareness and a personal vocabulary, through the use of the body as a ‘laboratory’ and the exploration of actions-dynamics-space and relationships. Further investigation of the choreographic process will lead to the creation of solos, duets and group works, with attention to the transformation of ideas taken from various sources (eg, text, visual art) into theatrical expression.
Informal showings and public performance will give students opportunities to present choreography both as works in progress and completed works.
Aims
Classes aim to facilitate movement invention, creation and crafting for dance theatre performance
Objectives
Workshops will give opportunities for students to:
- explore creative possibilities of body, space, time and relationships
- generate and extend movement vocabulary beyond the personal range
- develop structuring and organisational skills for a basic understanding of compositional craft
- look at how to apply choreographic tools in order to make an idea communicative both choreographically and as a performer
- collaborate with peers in the creation and performance of short compositional studies
- develop research skills in relation to producing a final project
- use critical and analytical skills with regard to dance making and viewing.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this module, students will be able to:
- take artistic risks to generate and extend beyond the personal movement range/patterns
- demonstrate awareness of time, space and embodiment of dynamic qualities
- apply methods for structure, device and crafting for composition
- apply critical skills for analysing the creative process and product
- make an idea communicative choreographically and in performance.
Theory and Practice
Choreology: A theory of movement as outlined by Rudolf Laban, presented mainly as a practical subject including lecture demonstrations, workshops and opportunities for informed discussion. This subject will be mainly delivered in sessions of one and a half hours (occasionally longer).
Aims
Choreology will serve to underpin core subjects on the course and extend knowledge and understanding of movement and dance.
Objectives
Choreology will seek to:
- help students to develop observation skills
- encourage individuals to identify and comment on movement structures under exploration
- develop the embodiment and control of movement in performance.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this module students will be able to:
- recognise, identify and comment on movement structures
- embody and control the performance of movement under exploration
- develop and improve articulate performance
- demonstrate an understanding of a structural approach to dance.
History of dance
Classes will be delivered in both practical and theoretical forms centred on group-based discussion, viewing and analysis of historical material. Independent research and study visits will serve to underpin learning. Course work will cover social dance from the Middle Ages to the rise of the professional dancer in the twentieth century.
Aims
The aim of this subject is to guide participants through the historical development of European theatre dance and explore the particular styles and structures of the social dances of the 18th and 20th centuries.
Objectives
The history module will focus on:
- the development of technique from it’s social roots to the rise of the professional dancer
- the importance of music and costume as influences on dance styles and structures
- selected period dance material to be studied, prepared and performed in class.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this module, students will be able to
- demonstrate an understanding of the main characteristics, defining specific period dance styles
- perform dance patterns, groupings/relationship with awareness of style, dynamics, phrasing and musicality
- apply knowledge and understanding of the influencing factors that have shaped dance through history.
Managing oneself as a performer
This subject will be presented in a series of talks delivered by invited guests from the dance profession. Safe training and injury prevention clinics. Pilates will complement physical training on the programme and enable the dancer to work from an increasingly informed position. This module also looks to expose common obstacles and problems usually faced by artists, and give opportunities to find practical solutions, give support, advice and information for self help and encourage reflective practice and personal evaluation. Guest speakers will describe their working methods and offer opportunities for students to raise questions and hold informed discussions.
Aims
The aim is to educate students to be aware of the mechanisms by which individuals can operate and manage themselves for continuing professional development.
Objectives
For this module sessions will:
- address physical management for injury prevention, safe training and well being
- develop strategies for reflective practice and self-evaluation and personal management for career planning
- Offer a testing ground to explore personal approach in an audition setting
Learning outcomes
By the end of this module students will be able to
- explore aspects of mind and body health and well being
- apply knowledge and understanding of safety to manage their own training
- reflect and make an evaluation of personal profile/development
- identify and design a strategy for personal future career aims and objectives
- have a basic understanding of effective audition skills
Learning support and feedback
Progress reports offering guidance, advice and feedback about individual’s learning experiences are given during the year for the key areas of study. This enables participants to track their development and to comment and give feedback to the teaching team. One-to-one tutorials are also available for individuals throughout the year as and when required. The course director is available for further support and guidance on some course nights and outside contact hours during the week.
Assessment
Students’ skills in and knowledge and understanding of the subjects of the course will be assessed by the course tutors and moderated by an external moderator.
In order to be eligible for assessment, students must achieve a minimum of 75% attendance for each module and for the course overall. Students must achieve a minimum grade of Pass in each module to qualify for the award of the Certificate.
Tutors will base their assessments on:
- observation of students’ skills in undertaking practical work in class, rehearsal and performance
- continuous dialogue with students about their knowledge and understanding of the work they are doing
- written/practical assignments prepared by students during the course in: Theory, History, Technique, Choreography and Managing Oneself as a Performer. Written assignments vary in length (approximately 1,000 – 1,500 words each assignment).
Details of assessment criteria and procedures will be available at the start of the course [in term one].
Clothing
It is suggested that students wear the following:
Women
Leotards or tights/fitted track trousers bare feet or socks for
contemporary classes, soft ballet shoes for classical ballet.
Men
T-shirt and fitted track trousers, bare feet or socks.
Course Staff
Please see Our
staff in the About Us section.
Course venue, dates and times
Venue: The Urdang Academy, The Finsbury Town Hall,
Rosebery Avenue, London EC1R 4RP
The course will run on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 6.00pm to 9.30pm,
between the following dates:
Term 1
Autumn: Tuesday 22 September 2009 to Thursday 10 December 2009 (11 weeks)
Half term: 10 & 12 November 2009
Term 2
Spring: Tuesday 5 January 2010 to Thursday 25 March 2010 (10 weeks)
Half term: 9 & 11 February 2010
Term 3
Summer: Tuesday 20 April 2010 – Thursday 1 July 2010 (11 weeks)
Half term: 1 & 3 June 2010
Dates/times and venue of classes may be subject to change through the year. Due notice will be given.
Download this document in pdf format:
Dance Cert HE Information for Applicants 2009-10
For information about how to apply for this course please click on the "Application and Fees" link on the top lefthand side of this page.
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