GPC Common Course Outlines Return to all courses

THEA 1553

Credit Hours 1
Course Title Jazz Dance I
Prerequisite(s) None Specified
Corequisite(s) None Specified
Catalog Description
This course provides the foundation training necessary for the development of skilled proficiency in jazz dance. It consists of two studio hours one day per week.

Expected Educational Results
Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate the basic skills and steps of common social/ballroom dances.

2. Demonstrate proper social/ballroom dance alignment.

3. Apply basic social/ballroom dance terminology.

4. Demonstrate proper technique in leading and/or following a partner.

5. Perform footwork, rhythms, and basic patterns of common social/ballroom dances.

6. Count musical accompaniment for dances and identify rhythmical elements unique to each dance.

7. Discuss the historical origins of common ballroom dances.

8. Execute various ballroom dances in a social ballroom situation.

9. Apply elements of styling as appropriate for each social/ballroom dance.

10. Utilize proper ballroom dance protocol and etiquette.

General Education Outcomes
Apply and integrate knowledge of basic jazz dance vocabulary (movement vocabulary and terminology), techniques, styling, etiquette, and musicality in the performance basic jazz dance.

Course Content
Basic foundations of jazz dance for the performer, including:

1. Floor Warm‐up, Body Alignment

2. Technique Exercises

3. Centre Floor Combinations

4. Composition/Choreography

5. Performance/Audition Preparation

6. Viewing and Critiquing

Course Requirements


1.Practice and demonstration of ballroom material presented in class (including verbalization of patterns and counts)

2. Ballroom dance practice in a social dance event setting

3. Performance Exams

4. Note‐taking in class when appropriate

5. Written exam

Assessment of Outcome Objectives





Every five years an assessment recording will be made of the culminating dance routine in the class.


A theatre departmental committee will review the item analysis to determine

1) if the level of student success was achieved,


4) a specific time line for implementation of recommended changes.

Last Revised: Jun. 08, 2011
Return to all courses