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| Syllabus |
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This course
aims specifically to address issues of gender, race, sexuality and
class in relation to embodiment and dance. Among its key issues
include what makes "dance" dance (as opposed to sports
or simply movement, for example), the ways in which movement and
gesture convey meaning, the relationship of dance to other arts,
such as painting or literature or film, and the mind-body connection
implicated in dance. This course aims to employ an interdisciplinary
approach, setting up various conversations of interest among performers,
choreographers, critics, ethnographers and historians of dance,
as well as general dance enthusiasts or aesthetes interested in
issues of dance in relation to other forms of art, such as literature,
painting and film. In addition, philosophical issues involving the
politics of the gaze and the body as text in relation to issues
of gender, sexuality, race, class and "beauty" as depicted
in dance will be examined. Finally, whenever it is appropriate to
do so, the course will also involve introductory dance sessions,
mainly in ballroom dancing, inclusive of the "smooth"
styles (Foxtrot, Waltz, Tango) and the "rhythm" styles
(Chacha, Rumba, Samba, Mambo, Single Swing, Triple Swing, Merengue),
in order to render the experience of talking about dance, the nature
of embodiment, and the expressive nature of dance, more concrete. This course is designed as a seminar, which means that the emphasis will be on critically reading and contextualizing texts, as well as developing oral skills of presentation and discussion alongside written skills of argumentation. Every student is responsible for being in charge of several discussions focused on assigned texts for the day. In addition, because this course integrates the use of appropriate technology, the use of Blackboard is mandatory and students will be actively engaged in the production of powerpoint presentations that should entail the incorporation of theoretical or critical perspectives in relation to dance . This will culminate in a mock conference format, where final presentations will occur. Student interest and participation will provide the course with its impetus and final direction. Among the questions the students will be asked to reflect upon are the following:
These questions
provide the fulcrum around which the final projects will revolve. |
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This course
will employ a lecture and discussion format. Students are required
to come in, having read the required texts for the day, in order
to present and defend their opinions, as well as critique those
of others and pose clarificatory questions; thus skills of listening
and oral argumentation are very much part of the course design.
After a number
of sessions handled by Dr. Picart, the duty of giving a brief summary
and critique of some of the assigned texts for the day, and of generating
discussion, using a powerpoint format, along other activities, will
be rotated among the students, initially in pairs, and then individually.
Students giving powerpoint presentations are required to e-mail
their presentations to me (kpicart@english.fsu.edu)
24 hours before they are due to report (an exception may be made
only with the first group to report). On the day of the presentations,
the presenters are required to come in with a diskette version (just
in case something goes wrong with the web) and two hard copies of
the powerpoints in "hand-out" format. AGAIN, NO LATE WORK
WILL BE ACCEPTED. Ideally, as well, your work on your powerpoint
presentation should help you create your draft and final papers,
which form the final requirements of the course. This powerpoint
report is designed to enable students to be more actively involved
in class discussions, and to give them a trial run for their final
presentations (that will resemble conference presentations in format).
Some time will be devoted to basic dance lessons, which will be tightly integrated with the articles to be discussed. Students will not be graded for their proficiency in dancing, but simply in their ability to reflect upon the experience in relation to the issues being raised in class. If possible, the instructor will make every effort to invite guest dancers/dance instructors to class to enhance the atmosphere for learning. In addition,
some training in the use of Blackboard and powerpoint are part of
the requirements of the course. Every week (unless specified as
an exemption), students are required to make a Blackboard threaded
conversation post, reflecting upon/integrating theoretical perspectives
in relation to the basic dance exercises or assigned videos or related
activities they will be engaged in. These threaded conversations
are tightly integrated with the powerpoint exercises and lectures
being given in class. At the end of the course, students will be required to hand in written papers (and a summary of editorial changes made) on topics of their choice related to the course. Movement towards the completion of the script will be achieved through a step-wise procedure that will expose students to the fundamental steps involved in producing a final paper. These steps move from heading a discussion on a particular topic, writing up a first draft (with at least 10 additional or new sources-5 online and 5 from the library), and culminating in revisions based on comments from the professor. All final papers are due on the last day of class.. The 30 minute
student powerpoints (both group and individual), starting at the professor's discretion, should feature:
On the day of the presentation itself, come in with two powerpoint hand-out copies (see below for instructions) to submit to me. One will be marked and returned to you; the other will be kept on file. The items outlined above comprise the criteria for the evaluation of your work for this component, which comprises 20% of the total mark, with each component above equally weighted. Posting these powerpoint presentations is a prerequisite to passing the course; failure to do so will result in failure. 30% of your total grade will come from this presentation. There are NO exceptions to this rule; you may switch teams (provided there are teams) and dates if you tell me ahead of time, and work out arrangements with each other. I will make sign-up arrangements available during the second week so you may think about which session/s you would like to sign up for, and with whom (if group arrangements are possible).. In order to
save on ink and paper, you may print out a "hand-out"
version. Instructions for this are listed below. If it is easier
for you, just print out an ordinary copy of the powerpoint presentation
and photocopy it to save ink. |
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Here are the instructions for the best way to print out PowerPoint presentations: I. From the
web
II. From the
PowerPoint Program.
Remember that threaded conversations (along with in class powerpoint exercises, when relevant, comprise 20% of your total mark) go on during weekends, from Fridays through Saturdays, midnight. Use a minimum of 250 words and a maximum of 500 words (double spaced within BB), again seeking to comment substantively on the powerpoint presentations in relation to theoretical and practical issues in teaching the material to the class. Indicate the word count at the top of the post and make certain you double space the entry. If you do not indicate the total word count or double space, I will be forced to grade you one level lower; if you do neither, then you will be graded two levels lower. I will cancel two missed or the lowest scoring assignments/posts. Posts should
be made in the general discussion board, so everyone has access
to the material, and may comment on individual posts. Feedback on
how you are doing (both in your presentations and BB threaded conversations)
will be provided through BB and will be handed back to you in class.
Powerpoint exercises are given as in-class small group quizzes (2 people
per group). These count as heavily as threaded conversations. |
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Note
Your draft and final essay grade will be based on the following criteria.
Each category will be compiled of whole points, no partial points
will be given. All of these criteria are equally weighted.
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In
order to receive any grade higher than 40 points on a 100 point scale,
the student must meet the word limits set, which is between 250 to
500 words. At the top of the post, kindly indicate the word count
and double space your entries. To check your word count, in MSWORD
use "Tools" -> "Word Count" and look at the
number after 'words.' Instructions on how to double space within Blackboard
threaded posts are listed later in the syllabus.
100
points 90
points 80
points 70
points 60
points 50
points
40
- 00 points
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Texts
- (Required texts are on reserves at Strozier) Philip Alperson,
ed. The
Philosophy of the Visual Arts. Oxford University Press, 1992.
ISBN: 0-19-505975-1 (Hereafter, PVA) Peter Brooks.
Body Work. Harvard University Press, 1993.
ISBN: 0-674-07725-3 (Hereafter, BW) Gerald Jonas.
Dancing: The Pleasure, Power and Art of Movement.
Harry Abrams, 1992. ISBN: 0-8109-2791-8 (Hereafter, DPPM) Sherry B. Shapiro,
ed. Dance,
Power and Difference. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 1998.
ISBN: 0-88011-747-8 (Hereafter, DPD) Michel Foucault,
Discipline and Punish. New York: Vintage, 1979.
ISBN: 0-394-72767-3. (Excerpted) Mary Shelley,
Frankenstein, Maurice Hindle, ed., intro. New
York: Penguin, 1992. ISBN: 0-14-043362-7 (Excerpted) Emile Zola,
Nana. New York: Viking, 1972. ISBN: 0140442634
(Excerpted) William Shakespeare,
Romeo and Juliet. Ed. Alan Durband. Barron's
Educational Series, Inc., 1999. ISBN: 0812035720 (Excerpted) William Shakespeare,
The Tempest. Ed. Alan Durband. Barron's Educational
Series, Inc., 1985. ISBN: 0812036034 (Excerpted) Jane Desmond,
ed. Meaning
in Motion. Durham: Duke University Press, 1997. ISBN: 3-1254-02554-3824
(Hereafter, MM) Trinh Minh
ha, When
the Moon Waxes Red: Representation, Gender, and Cultural Politics.
New York and London: Routledge, 1991. (Excerpted) Julie Taylor,
Paper Tangos. Durham: Duke University Press,
1998. ISBN: 0-8223-2191-2 Selected
Videos |
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ADA
Statement
This and all other class materials are available in alternative format, upon request. The instructors will do everything they can to ensure fairness to everyone in class. For further information, refer to: http://www.fsu.edu/~staffair/dean/StudentDisability/index.html. Academic
Honor Code
Thus, contrary to students' beliefs, plagiarism isn't just a little thing. Any time you take someone else's words, ideas or concepts, you must cite your source and give credit to the actual author. This is especially true for anything you pick from the web. Knowing the appropriate citation for your material is your responsibility. Failure to
cite your sources and give credit to the original author will be
punishable to the extent your FSU Student Handbook provides for
plagiarism. This can lead all the way up to expulsion from Florida
State University. When in doubt, cite your source! For further information
on plagiarism and the honor code, see: http://www.fsu.edu/Books/Student-Handbook/codes/honor.html. |
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Students are encouraged to attend every class in order to benefit from the lecture as well as the class discussion. However, if class must be missed, a legitimate reason (illness, etc.), with proper documentation, must be presented to the instructor. After three (3) unexcused absences students will be penalized and face a half a letter grade dropped from the final grade upon each additional absence. Two latenesses (which means if your name is called during the roll and you are not in the classroom, you are late) constitute one unofficial absence; this means 6 latenesses constitute the same thing as three unexcused absences. Note that there
is no make-up work for classes missed; requirements due then must
be submitted on time, or ahead, through e-mail. My e-mail is: kpicart@english.fsu.edu
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Gordon Rule [top] |
Also, since this course is considered a Gordon Rule class, students must obtain a C- or better in order to pass the Gordon Rule requirement. For further
information on these university policies, refer to the handbook
at http://www.fsu.edu/Books/Student-Handbook. |
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Electronic Communication & Info Access [top]
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The FSU internal networks and connections to the National Information Infrastructure provide a wide range of facilities for communication between individuals and for disseminating information and ideas. Electronic communication and information resources will be increasingly important to University faculty, staff, and students. The University supports open access to electronic communication and information, as follows:
University administrators, faculty, and staff should challenge any attempts to censor electronic information sources. Members of the University community should use information resources responsibly and considerately, in accordance with the following guidelines:
Owners of computer accounts are responsible for all use of the accounts. They should follow guidelines to prevent unauthorized use by others, and report intrusions to the system administrators. The University cannot guarantee that, in all instances, copies of critical data will be retained on University systems. It is ultimately the responsibility of computer users to obtain secure, backup copies of essential files for disaster recovery. VIOLATIONS:Violations
of computer and network policy as outlined in this document will
be considered on a case-by-case basis according to established policies;
determinations may include denial of access privileges. In all instances,
measures will be taken to protect the system; however, due-process
rights of everyone involved will be observed in all cases. Users
are reminded that some uses of the network are governed by the University
Honor Code, local, State, or Federal laws. |
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Please note that anything that is inappropriate to say face-to-face in class is generally inappropriate to distribute on the web course. Also the mailing lists should not be used for anything but communicating within the class environment. Inappropriate behavior of this kind will result in severe consequences as outlined in the FSU Student Handbook (email abuse punishment can range from revoking your computer access to expulsion in severe cases). Refer to: http://www.fsu.edu/Books/Student-Handbook/codes/honor.html. For more on
Email Abuse, also see: If you feel
that some course-relevant information should be made available to
the entire class, email the instructor(s) with a request to post
on the announcement board. The instructor(s) will make the decision
of appropriateness. |
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Miscellaneous Technology Resources [top]
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Technological
difficulties,
please contact (in addition to your assigned instructors and mentorees):
Double spacing in Blackboard threaded conversation posts
Words of Caution: Do not use your Browser's back button (the <- on the top) and do not resize your window while writing. Any of these will wipe out your writing!
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