Dance Choreography Workshop
27 hours lecture, 27 hours laboratory
Prerequisite: DANCE 14, DANCE 20 or DANCE 26.
Grading: letter grade or pass/no pass.
Description
Formerly
DANCE 33AD. This course is a collaborative workshop environment in which class participants work with student choreographers in the creation of dances of significant form and content.
Transferability
Transferable to both UC and CSU; see counselor for limitations
Identifiers & Codes
Department: Performing Arts
School: Visual, Performing Arts, and Cultural Programs
Academic Level: Undergraduate
SAM Code: E - Non-Occupational
CIP Code: 50.0301 - Dance, General.
Credit or Noncredit: Credit
Class Size Max, Units, Hours
Total Student Learning Hours: 162
Requisites & Limitations on Enrollment
Prerequisites: Dance 14 or 20 or 26
Catalog Information
Grade Mode: Student Choice
Are there Materials Fees for the course? No
Is the course repeatable? No
Student Learning Outcomes & Course Objectives
Student Learning Outcomes: - 1. Demonstrate and identify choreography techniques, terminology, and historical choreographers at an a high intermediate level.
Course Objectives: 1. Memorize and perform dances of significant length, form, and structure.
2. Move the body with clarity, directness, and focus.
3. Identify the forms of music and their relationship to dance.
4. Solve creative problems through assignments addressing space, time, and force; all dancers are involved and collaborate with the choreographers and each other.
5. Improvise movements freely and creatively
6. Distinguish time signature, tempo, and meter of music.
7. Perform in multiple dance genres integrating a beginning through advanced level of technical skill and clear intent.
8. Observe movement and communicate corrections and intent.
Course Content
Course Content: A. Warm-up
1. Explore body parts and alignment
2. Develop flexibility and strength through improvisation and technique exercises
3. Use of breath to initiate movement
4. Use of focus to add presence
5. Use of different energy qualities
6. Moving through space exploring levels
10 Hour(s)
B. Working with Choreographers
1. Learning movement from the choreographer
2. Improvising from movements ideas of the choreographer
3. Creating movement phrases of their own
4. Collaborating with other dancers to create lifts, leans, and supported movement phrases
15 Hour(s)
C. Informal Performance of Group Choreography
1. Rehearsing for presentation before the class
2. Developing confidence and stage presence through the rehearsal process
3. Learning to cover mistakes in rehearsal and performance
4. Learning to dance with others in a group
15 Hour(s)
D. Critique
1. Learning to view work with objectivity and emphasis on verbal expression
2. Learning to write an objective critique of a dance or concert
5 Hour(s)
E. Revising, Editing and Restructuring
1. Problem solve with choreographer and other dancers after feedback
2. Implement changes in choreography and retain the changes
3. Present revised choreography again for critique
9 Hour(s)
Methods of Instruction & Active Learning
Examples: Choreographers lead groups in a series of exercises to warm-up the body and focus the mind on the body's potential for movement. By the choreographer's demonstration of exercises, the student must then analyze the exercises for weight changes, rhythm, sequence and then assimilate the information quickly so that they can perform it. Students explore their motor patterns through discussion and analysis of the purpose of each exercise. Elements of improvisation are incorporated into the class by allowing students to make choices in timing, spatial direction, sequence, and or force. Aesthetic judgment is formed by solving creative movement problems that involve choosing movement and arranging it to fulfill the requirements of the assignment. Students work together to analyze the problem, solve it, and then evaluate it. Group discussion facilitated by the instructor along with video viewing helps in the evaluation process.
Assignment for In and Out of Class
Assignment Types: - Substantial college level writing assignment, such as: essay(s), written homework, term/research paper, and/or other (Required).
- Class Presentation
- Group Assignment
Examples: Dance concert critique: 3 page paper critically evaluating a dance concert in terms of choreography, performance and theatrical elements.
In groups, students perform for the class the dances that they have prepared.
Students solve creative movement problems and perform for the class.
Methods of Evaluation
Computational or Non-Computational Problem Solving Demonstrations:
Further Methods of Evaluation: - Skill Demonstrations such as class performances(s), fieldwork, performance exam(s)
Examples: A concert report/paper is evaluated on how well the student is able to justify their opinion of a dance concert through analysis of the choreography, performance, and theatrical elements and by using detailed examples to support their thesis.
Students' group compositions are evaluated by a) meet the criteria for solving the problems, b) displayed a unique approach to solving the problem.
Student's performance is evaluated twice during the semester: Midterm and Final examination. Criteria is based on the accuracy of the movement shape and correct body alignment or technique; accuracy with the music and interpretation of the music while using the appropriate energy dynamics; projecting confidence and stage presence without stopping; staying in spatial relationship to group; and cooperating in group decisions.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibilty
In accordance with Title 5 §55001.5 (2025), the Performing Arts Department incorporates instructional approaches that accommodate and engage diverse student bodies, advance equitable student outcomes, and promote the inclusion of all students. These practices align with the Long Beach City College Strategic Plan (2022–2025) commitment to equitable student learning, diversity, accessibility, and a culture of care.
Within the performing arts classroom, faculty may use inclusive pedagogical strategies that highlight diverse artistic traditions, perspectives, and performance practices. Instruction may include ensemble collaboration, creative expression, and performance-based activities that encourage students to contribute their cultural and artistic experiences. These approaches foster an environment where all students can participate meaningfully in the creative process.
Faculty participate in ongoing review of course objectives, content, and instructional methods through program planning, Student Learning Outcomes assessment, and DEIA professional development to identify and address equity gaps.
Course instruction and materials are designed to ensure accessibility for all students, including those with disabilities. Faculty follow district accessibility procedures and may collaborate with accessibility and instructional design specialists to implement Accessibility and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, ensuring equitable participation in rehearsals, performances, and learning activities.
Representative Textbooks and Materials
Representative Textbook: Choreography - Creating and Developing Dance for Performance. Kate Flatt. Crowood Press. April 2020
ISBN:9781785006111, 1785006118
Recommended Textbook: Dance Composition Basics. Pamela Anderson Sofras. Human Kinetics. February 6, 2019
ISBN: 9781492589815, 1492589810
Emerging Bodies - The Performance of Worldmaking in Dance and Choreography. Gabriele Klein, Gabriele Klein (Ed.), Sandra Noeth. Transaction Publishers. March 2014
ISBN:9783839415962, 3839415969
A Choreographer's Handbook. Joanathan Burrows. 1st Edition. Routledge. July 10, 2010.
ISBN-10: 0415555302
ISBN-13: 978-0415555302
Dance Imagery for Technique and Performance. Eric N. Franklin. 1st Edition. Human Kinetics Publishers. April, 1996
ISBN: 0873229436
Dynamic Alignment through Imagery. Eric N. Franklin. 1st Edition. Human Kinetics Publishers. (January, 1996).
ISBN: 0873224752
The texts that are more than 5 years old are used widely in the discipline and contain information that is still relevant and important for this course.
Modality