2.) Prior to the final examination in class – think back to the first assignment in class – what you knew then in comparison to what you know now. Think about the “stuff” you learned but also how you were affected by the new knowledge/experiences. Think about the experiences, discussions, etc in class that affected your thoughts about dance from a cultural and personal perspective. Discuss how you value the information learned in terms of your own growth and/or interests in pursuing more knowledge/experience in this subject area. (Write this as a 2 paged typed response and place in the dropbox on D2L prior to December 6th at 5:00 pm.

things discussed in the classed and practiced in class
HISTORY OF DANCE
Dance has belonged to every age and culture since the beginning of time and thus has reflected the human condition and experience in each succeeding age. Dance was a functional means of survival.

Dance in its earliest manifestation emerged because of primitive people’s need to communicate and manipulate unseen powers – WORSHIP. Worship was an expression of the dependence of humans on powers outside themselves. It was from ancient worship ceremonies and rituals that DANCE emerged. The observation of structured movements of bird and animal groups and individuals gave rise to some of the earliest and oldest dance forms still in use today, namely, Circles, Chains, and Processionals.

Closed Circles: In ancient times, the closed circle was derived from the observation and imitation of the rotation of the sun. Dancers entered into the circle without regard to sex or social position. Breaking the circle would either let evil spirits out and good spirits in or visa versa depending on the culture. The complexity of the circle, increased as time passed. Dances for alternating sexes or for only one sex indicates occupational differentiation. Movement directions, forward and backward movement, weaving and othering movements arouse.

The Chain: The chain was derived from the closed circle – a broken circle. Moving the chain through space, from one place to another allowed the good spirits to be distributed over a larger area. Chain dances were generally “asexual”.

The Processional: The processional consisted of a single or double file of dancers. It is said that the processional form originated from two important tribal customs, namely, to clean the community after a hard winter and to ensure its continued fertility.

History attests to the significance of dance as a serious and sacred activity. It was not just a display of rhythmic or athletic prowess, but the basis of the survival of a society. It served many purposes within a society: religious significance, educational importance (integration of body, mind, and spirit, and to learn social skills of poise, discipline, and good manners), preservation of health (to cure ailments, to ensure immunity from disease, and drive out the ghost of a dead person), and fertility (to propagate the species and to secure food).

ELEMENT DEFINITION
Rhythm: Regular pattern of movement or sound
Beat: Basic unit that measures time; constant pulse
Accent: Stress placed on a beat to make it stronger
Time Signature: A symbol that established duration of time
Phrase: A musical sentence; a group of measures
Tempo: Rate of speed
Rhythm Pattern; A grouping of beats
Even Rhythm: Beats in a rhythm pattern all having same value
Uneven Rhythm: Beats in a rhythm pattern not all having same value

FUNDAMENTAL LOCOMOTOR MOVEMENTS

STEP DEFINITION RHYTHMS
Walk Transfer of weight from one foot to the other; the weight being transfered from heel to toe. Even Rhythm 1 2 3 4
Run A fast walk, weight being transfered from one foot to the other with the weight carried forward on the ball of the foot. Even Rhythm 1 and 2 and 3 and 4
Hop A transfer of weight by a springing action of the foot from one foot to the same foot. Even Rhythm 1 2 3 4
Jump Springing action from one or both feet landing on both feet. Even Rhythm 1 2 3 4
Leap A transfer of weight from one foot to the other foot, pushing off with a spring and landing on the ball of the foot. В“An airborne runВ”. Even rhythm 1 2 3 4
Step Hop A step on one foot followed by a hop on the same foot. Even Rhythm. 1 2 3 4
Skip A step on one foot followed by a hop on the same foot. Uneven Rhythm 1 ah 2 ah 3 ah 4
Slide A step on one foot, on the slow beat, close other foot to meet it, on the quick beat. Walk, leap, walk, etc. moving to the side. Uneven Rhythm 1 ah 2 ah 3 ah 4
Gallop A step followed by a quick close of the other foot. Walk, leap, walk, etc. moving forward. Uneven Rhythm 1 ah 2 ah 3 ah 4