Syllabus subject to change.  It is the student's responsibility to be aware and take note of changes if they occur during the course of the semester.

"By contemplating the optical - physical appearance the ego arrives at intuitive conclusions about the inner substance."
                                                                                              -  Paul Klee

Principles of Movement is a course designed to both communicate to and help students discover a system of analysis for understanding and describing the qualitative aspects of movement.  Through kinesiology, students will learn to understand (and thereby expand) their movement vocabulary, both spatially and dynamically, by studying and becoming more aware of the human body (its parts, abilities, and limitations).  Students will also develop the verbal skills necessary for observing and describing movement which will further enhance
their understanding of the art of dance.

Objectives
We shall be using Dance Kinesiology by Sally Sevey Fitt as the primary book in this class.  She states many objectives for a kinesiology class, all of which are important.  In general terms, at the conclusion of this course, students should demonstrate:

1)  knowledge of the skeletal and muscular systems;
2)  knowledge of the role of gravity;
3)  the ability to integrate 1 & 2 in movement analysis
4)  knowledge of general and specific demands of dance
5)  ability to discern individual strengths and limitations and their connotations
6)  knowledge of common types of injuries and their prevention and care
7)  realistic understanding of their own bodies and abilities
 

"Learning is a function of awareness, so as awareness goes up, so does learning.  The criticizing mind is the biggest single obstacle to improved ... performance.  Experience is the only real teacher."
                                                                                              - Tim Gallwey, The Inner Game of Tennis
 

Requirements
1)  Completion of a quiz at the beginning of each class on the prior assigned readings.

2)  Completion of a midterm exam and a short paper exploring a specific dance motion.

3)  Completion of a review of a movement studies/dance medicine book or journal.

4)  Completion of short movement studies as assigned.

5)  Completion of a final exam and project.

6)  Attendance at Injury Prevention and Care workshops TBA

7)  Attendance is essential.  Participation in class activities, exercises, and discussions is very important.  One absence is allowed for emergencies.
 

Evaluation
This class will consist of students with varying degrees of experience and expertise.  You will not be graded in comparison to each other but by evaluating your own personal progress.  Quality of work and attendance will
also affect your final grade.
 

Class work / completion of movement assignments            20%
Quizzes                                                                                      20%
Midterm & project                                                                     30%
Final exam & project                                                                30%
 

STANDARDS FOR EVALUATION
Evaluation of a student's performance in this course as a whole will be guided by the following criteria:

A -- demonstration of superior work in fulfillment of course requirements; improvement during the semester will be weighed

B -- demonstration of excellent work in fulfillment of course requirements; improvement during the semester will be weighed

C -- demonstration of satisfactory work in fulfillment of course requirements

D -- demonstration of work is not satisfactory and/or student fails to follow attendance requirements

F -- failure to meet minimum course goals

X -- failure due to lack of attendance
 

Calendar
(Subject to change!  This is ambitious, but we will adjust as we need to.)

Musculoskeletal Atlas
Columbia/HCA: interactive site, great information.  You  need to download Shockwave
Newton's Apple
Inner Body
Dance Medicine Clinic
Bones Doctor

Class #1      syllabus
                Body map
                Readings:       DK - Preface, chapters 1, 2, 3
                Applicable sections in The Anatomy Coloring Book & Flash Cards
    Newton's 3 Laws of Motion
    Newton's Universal Law of Gravitation
    More Newton
    Gravity
    More gravity
Newton's Apple:  Gravity
          Gravity: Blackholes
          Gravity: Frisbees
          Gravity: Jumping
          Slinky

    Skeleton
    Bones
    Joints
    Bones of foot
    Knee, Knee injuries
    Balance
    Dancing!
 

Class #2      Quiz
                Readings:       DK - chapter 4
                Applicable pages in The Anatomy Coloring Book & Flash Cards
    Pelvis
    Spine
    Ribs
    Neck

Class #3      Quiz
                Readings:       DK  - chapters 5, 6
                Applicable pages in The Anatomy Coloring Book & Flash Cards
    Shoulder
    Arm
    Hand

Class #4     Quiz
               Readings:       DK  - chapters 7, 8, 9
                Applicable pages in The Anatomy Coloring Book & Flash Cards
    Muscles
    Feet
    Lower leg, Lower leg
    Upper leg
Other links:
       Muscle naming
       Muscle vocabulary
       Muscle Stretching
       Stretch Reflex
       Conditioning

Class #5     Quiz
                Readings:       DK  - chapter 10,11, 12
                Applicable pages in The Anatomy Coloring Book & Flash Cards
    Abdominals
    Torso
    Back
    Neck
    Upper Arm & Shoulder
    Arm

Class #6     Quiz
                Midterm review

Class #7     Midterm
                Midterm paper due

Class #8       Readings:       DK - chapters 13,14, 15, 16
                Applicable pages in The Anatomy Coloring Book
    Alexander Technique
    Alexander & Dance
    NASTAT: Alexander Technique
 

Class #9    Quiz
                Readings:       DK  - chapters 17, 18, 19,

Class #10         Quiz
                Readings:       DK  - chapters 20, 21, 22

Class #11         Quiz
                Begin analysis project

Class #12        Continue analysis

Class #13        Final review
                Continue analysis

  Final exam
 

Required Texts

Dance Kinesiology, 2nd ed; Sally Sevey Fitt
Anatomy Flash Cards
Anatomy Coloring Book, William Kapit, Lawrence Elson
Albinus on Anatomy, Robert Beverly Hale
 

Other books (if interested)

Psychology of Dance, Jim Taylor
The Thinking Body, Mabel Todd
How to Learn the Alexander Technique, Barbara Conable
Science of Dance Training, Priscilla Clarkson