Body Awareness and Movement

DESCRIPTION:
Practical anatomy and physiology of the moving body. Health & safety of the moving body, awareness of an individual’s body schema, movement range and kinaesthetic sense as a foundation to understand the expressive potential of kinetic form. Ethics of working ‘physically’ with others.

RATIONALE: 
A successful career as a dance artist requires not only knowledge of the craft but also knowing in depth the medium’s main tool: the body – its physical structures, conditions and potential. This knowledge is of primary necessity for all dance practitioners: dancers, choreographers and dance teachers. The course also makes links to issues arising from the body in motion and the particular physical conditions that need to be considered when dealing with effective and safe anatomic awareness for training and performance.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: 
As a result of taking this course the student will be able to:
1. Identify main anatomical structure, function, and potential for movement in the human body.
2. Develop awareness of personal movement range and creative possibilities within this to analyse their personal movement profile.
3. Apply knowledge of body therapies studies to move efficiently and correctly, understanding the concept of ‘sustainability‘ in relation to human motion.
4. Experiment with movement notation for in-studio practice.
5. Apply health & safety concepts in relation to the moving body both individually and when working with others.
6. Understand the ethics of practice when working with another ‘body’.

METHOD OF TEACHING AND LEARNING:
In congruence with the teaching and learning strategy of the college, the following tools are used:
- Tutor led workshops attending to both individual and group instruction
- Preparing studies for feedback and discussion
- Individual portfolio documenting individual research throughout the course.
- Use of a Blackboard site, where instructors post lecture notes, assignment instructions, announcements, and other resources
- Office hours: students are encouraged to make full use of the office hours of their instructor, where they can be consulted as to their research paper, assignments, or any other element of the module