Dance in America, West Valley College

Units: 3

Prerequisites: None

This course fulfills the WVC cultural diversity requirement, is an information competency infused course, and is IGETC approved.

Transferability: This course is transferable to all UC and CSU colleges and universities as well as most other colleges and universities across the country.

Instructor Information:

Name: Ann Malmuth-Onn

Campus Email - ann.malmuth-onn@wvm.edu (contact instructor through WVC email)

Office location - P.E. Building on the West Valley College campus

Office hours - Mondays and Wednesday, 12:30 - 1:30 PM

Tel 408-741-2524

Instructor Homepage - http://instruct.westvalley.edu/malmuth/

Course Description:

This course examines dance as a cultural expression

We address issues such as the power of dance in our life, in lecture format and in visual experience, via videos, and performance.  We will discuss a variety of cultures, dance styles and traditions and how they are expressed in our culture today. This course is currently being offered as a hybrid course, with meetings on campus, followed by weekly online "Lessons" using ANGEL.

Course Objectives:

• An understanding and exposure to the origins and influences of dance.
• Knowledge of dance as a cultural catalyst in our society.
• Inquiry into dance as an expression of social interaction.
• A window to dance as the creation of an individual artist and the origins of the choreographic art
• An awareness of how dance relates to other arts and disciplines.
• An eye opener to dance as an indicator of who we are today and where we are going with the focus on the visual media.
• Develop a natural curiosity, appreciation and involvement in the dance world.

Requirements and Evaluation:

• Attendance and participation - 30% of grade.
• Completion of short assignments - 30% of grade.
• Research projects and reviews - 40% of grade.

West Valley College makes reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. College materials will be made available in alternate formats (Braille, audio, electronic format, or large print) upon request and upon verification of a disability. Please contact the Disability and Educational Support Program at (408) 741-2010.

This course uses the following text available in the campus bookstore.

Dancing By Gerald Jonas

Computer and Browser Issues:

You MUST be computer competent to take this course and be able to navigate computer programs, use the Internet, and send and receive
e-mail, including "Word" document attachments.  If you have not mastered these skills, you must take a computer class prior to taking this on-line course.  In addition, you will need a reliable computer and on-line access to complete this course.

This course requires the basic skills of college level reading, college level writing, and mastery of study skills. On-line students must be able to study independently, follow the on-line assignments and read the accompanying textbooks.  It is expected that you have already mastered these skills prior to taking this course. 

We will be using a course management program called ANGEL for the online portion of this course. Students will complete all assignments and exams through the ANGEL program.  All e-mail communication with the instructor will be done through ANGEL e-mail. 
 
Students using a PC computer should use Internet Explorer as their browser.

Students using an Apple computer should use Firefox as their browser.

To learn how to download the most current version of these applications to your computer and for additional problem solving, use the following link:

Click here to access the browser issues web page

Remember, as found in the above link, you must have Java enabled on your computer in order for ANGEL to run properly.

How to Log into ANGEL:

revised March 24, 2010