DANCE & MOVEMENT - 2023/4

Module Overview

This module aims to develop the skill base of the Actor-Musician in Dance and Movement. Across Level 5 students will study practical skills in Ballet, Jazz, Tap and Movement practices. This unit serves as an extension to dance and movement technique studied at Level 4. With study of dance and other movement based practice integrated into the module. Students will explore the application and integration of core technique and the integration of dance and movement to the work of the Actor/Musician.

Movement covers posture and alignment and the relationship of the actor to the space and the use of the body within the space and extends work on the instrument as “object” and its relationship to the performer and the space.

As with all Dance modules care has been give to understand the cultural, physical, social and peronal differences of learners. The lineage of the dance styles is understood to be complex and care is given that each class is taught from an inclusive perspective. 

Module provider

Guildford School of Acting

Module Leader

CROWLEY-SMITH Phyllida (GSA)

Number of Credits: 30

ECTS Credits: 15

Framework: FHEQ Level 5

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Year long

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Indicative content includes one weekly class in:

• Practical Ballet

• Practical Jazz Class

• Practical Tap Class

• Movement Class

All classes are practical based classes.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate

Practical evidence of a developing skill-base in dance and movement as an actor-musician.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

Unit 1: Dance & Movement Continuous 50% Student Activity

• Developed understanding of posture & placement

• Developed core strength

• Developed use of legs & feet

• Musicality, style & presentation

• Developed use of Facility

• Autonomy in applying correction & work ethic

• Progress

Unit 2: Dance Workshop 50% Student Activity

• Developed understanding of posture & placement

• Developed core strength

• Developed use of legs & feet

• Musicality, style & presentation

• Developed use of Facility

• Autonomy in applying correction & work ethic

• Performance & Engagement in Workshop Setting

Formative assessment

N/A

Feedback

These are practical assessments that provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate and receive feedback sequentially. Students receive verbal and written feedback and also benefit from personal tutorials where this feedback can be discussed after reflection and grading has taken place.

Module aims

• • Extend skills in dance and movement technique, with study of dance (Ballet, Jazz and Tap) and other movement based practice (Laban/Pilates)
• Students will explore the application and integration of core technique and the integration of dance and movement specific to the work of the Actor/Musician.
  Movement covers posture and alignment and the relationship of the actor to the space and the use of the body within the space and the instrument as ‘object’ and then as part and extension of the performers own body. The relationship to instrument playing and the ‘object in the space’ is also explored.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• Place an emphasis on the practical development of movement and dance skills that are required as an actor-musician.

Practical classes are delivered in a year - long module – to encourage a continuous approach to practice and enable the practical skill base to be physically realised.

The learning and teaching methods include:

Across the year this module is delivered over 300 hours study with a blend of personal study time and practical class based delivery.

Jazz – Year Long

Ballet – Year Long

Tap - Year Long

Movement – Year Long

Throughout the module different learning and teaching strategies are applied to enable students to achieve the learning outcomes, including research, reflective practice, peer to peer learning and formative assessment with detailed written feedback.

• The approach of the module is vocational in content and delivery and encourages students to participate in reflection on their own practice, independent study and research and embeds the concepts of peer to peer feedback within the rehearsal studio. Students are encouraged to utilise materials on SURREY LEARN and also receive individual tutorials from staff to help in forming their learning experience.

• Students receive regular verbal feedback both individually and as a group during each class which they are encouraged to journal and use for reflection.

• Students are encouraged to self-assess and peer-assess within the class structure and as part of the ethos of continuous actor training.

• Lesson plans are structured to take account of and deliver for students with a specifc bias toward visual, auditory and kinaesthetic learning enabling differentation of techniques within the class and a sensitivity towards inclusivity.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: AMT2014

Other information

GSA delivers its provision across three teaching blocks, within the University of Surrey’s existing semester structure.

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2023/4 academic year.