Dance

Preliminary & HSC Course

The Preliminary and HSC courses focus on three main modules, 

• Core Performance, taking into account Dance, Dance Techniques applied to dance performance and the Core Performance Dance; 

• Core Composition, which covers the manipulation of the elements of dance, generating and organising movement and organising the dance with a focus on form and structure and finally 

• Core Appreciation. In the Preliminary course Core Appreciation focuses on the development of dance in Australia and the introduction of dance analysis.  Whilst in the HSC course students go on to study the skills of analysis, writing and criticism and will have the opportunity to study prescribed choreographers and their works.

Preliminary students will also study an additional core unit and can consist of any one of; Performance, Composition, Appreciation Components or Dance and Technology. This additional unit will be developed by the Course Coordinator. 

Students in the HSC course also elect one of the study areas in Performance, Composition, Appreciation or Dance and Technology as their major area of study.

The HSC assessment programs will consist of a maximum of four assessment tasks and will require students to respond in performance, composition and appreciation formats. A major area of study will be submitted for the HSC course. 

Topics, task weightings and specific requirements for each course are distributed to students at the commencement of study via their Assessment Handbook.

There is an external examination for students undertaking the course.

The Preliminary Dance course provides students with the opportunity to develop competencies through the development of skills in three areas:

Performance consists of three areas of study. The knowledge, understanding and skills that physically prepare the body for dance. The study of Performance relates to the knowledge, understanding and skills in which this physical preparation is applied to dance performance in the context of safe dance practice and the knowledge, understanding and skills of technique and performance applied to a Dance.

Composition provides students firstly with opportunities to develop knowledge and understanding of the theories, principles, processes and practices of composition.  Secondly, students develop the skills of composition through practice, observation and reflection that enable students to make choices in their own process.

Appreciation consists of the knowledge of dance as an artform and the skills of research, analysis, writing and criticism.