Physical practice I (BDA711)

The course is designed to give students a holistic understanding of their physical practice and a sound practical and theoretical knowledge base on which to build their continued development as dancers. Through technical and exploratory movement work, lectures and class discussion, as well as written and oral assignments, students strengthen their dance skills, expand their movement vocabulary, gain an understanding of safe dance practice and learn to reflect critically upon their own goals and progress.


Course description for study year 2024-2025. Please note that changes may occur.

Facts

Course code

BDA711

Version

1

Credits (ECTS)

30

Semester tution start

Autumn

Number of semesters

2

Exam semester

Spring

Language of instruction

English, Norwegian

Offered by
Time table

View course schedule

Content

The course content includes work in dance technique, body conditioning and alternative physical practices, as well as relevant theoretical knowledge of anatomy, movement science and principles of safe dance practice. The focus in technique classes is primarily on contemporary dance with supplementary work in other genres such as classical ballet and hip hop. Students are also introduced to somatic approaches to movement training. Applied movement science is the supporting theoretical component of the course.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

By the end of the course, the student will be able to:

  • understand and apply fundamental movement principles in dance, both practically, technically, and conceptually.
  • have knowledge of methods and practices that develop individual movement language, bodily awareness and one’s own physical possibilities.
  • understand the roots and the context of their physical practice.
  • demonstrate good knowledge of safe dance practice including key areas of functional anatomy, body conditioning, injury prevention, nutrition, restitution, and mental training.

Skills

By the end of the course, the student will be able to:

  • demonstrate a firm grasp of central principles in contemporary dance and classical ballet, in particular alignment, rotation, use of weight, relation to space, and functionality and efficiency of movement.
  • expand their own movement vocabulary by exploring different bodily movement practices.
  • apply knowledge of relevant movement science, training methodology and principles of safe dance practice to their own development and individual practice.

General Competence

By the end of the course, the students will be able to:

  • demonstrate increased bodily awareness and physicality, improved strength, stamina, flexibility and coordination.
  • investigate and critically reflect upon the connections between the different areas of knowledge in the course and use this in their own dance practice.
  • plan, carry out and evaluate their own individual supplementary training in fitness, strength and mobility.

Required prerequisite knowledge

None

Exam

Form of assessment Weight Duration Marks Aid
Portfolio 1/1 Passed / Not Passed

Portfolio consisting of 6 required elements:
• an individual written reflection assignment
• a practical group presentation
• 2 performance tests in dance technique:

- midyear assessment at the end of the first semester - summative assessment in the second semester.
• 2 written assignments in movement science

Assignments in the subject are delivered in Norwegian or English. Swedish and Danish are also permitted.

Coursework requirements

Attendance in all organized teaching is mandatory in accordance with the UK Faculty’s attendance regulations.

Course teacher(s)

Course teacher:

Gry Galta Van Merkensteijn

Course coordinator:

Marie Ronold Mathisen

Course teacher:

Annemariet Gonzalez Comendador

Course teacher:

Brynjar Åbel Bandlien

Study Adviser:

Lena Crosby Haug

Method of work

Training in dance technique and related physical practices

Workshops

Lectures, discussion, and study groups

The subject is organized in weekly teaching activities. However, the teaching activity can entirely or partly be organized as intensive modules in periods of the academic year. The subject can also have a combination of weekly teaching and intensive modules.

Open for

Bachelor in Dance

Course assessment

There must be an early dialogue between the course supervisor, the student union representative and the students. The purpose is feedback from the students for changes and adjustments in the course for the current semester.In addition, a digital subject evaluation must be carried out at least every three years. Its purpose is to gather the students experiences with the course.

Literature

The syllabus can be found in Leganto