Dance

Group 6 Subject

Dance is an expressive movement with intent, purpose and structure which communicates through the body of the dancer. Dance is a vital and integral part of human life. It exists over time in many forms and styles and is practised in all traditions and cultures, taking place in a range of contexts for various purposes. Dance functions as ritual, as artistic endeavour, as social discourse, as recreation, and as education. Dance is a unique medium for learning about self and the world. It is one essential component of artistic, aesthetic and cultural education, and develops creative potential through physical expression. In dance, the integration of the body, mind and spirit helps participants learn skills that are transferable to other disciplines and to their daily lives.

The Diploma Programme dance curriculum aims for a holistic approach to dance, and embraces a variety of dance traditions and dance cultures - past, present and looking towards the future. Performance, creative and analytical skills are mutually developed and valued whether the students are writing papers or creating and performing dance.

Dance experience is not necessary at standard level just an enthusiasm and commitment to Dance and a willingness to take risks.

Course content

The course comprises three components – performance, composition and appreciation. Students will understand dance as a set of practices with their own histories and theories, and understand that these practices integrate physical, intellectual and emotional knowledge. Students will experience dance as an individual and collective exploration of the expressive possibilities of movement and understand and appreciate mastery in various dance styles, traditions and cultures. Students will be able to recognise and use dance to create dialogue among the various traditions and cultures in their school environment, their society and the world at large. Students will also appreciate the contributions of dance to their personal and social health, fitness and wellbeing.

For Dance syllabus, please click here.

Skills developed

Dance enables candidates to develop skills, knowledge and understanding of dance as choreographer, performer and critic by:

• masterclasses with outside artists and practitioners to develop technical and expressive skills as a performer in styles such as hip hop, lyrical and Fosse

• workshops with local artists in diverse dance cultures and traditions to develop students appreciation and understanding of dance in the wider context

• promoting leadership, self management, collaborative and communication skills when working with students rehearsal schedules

• responding to a range of unique and personal stimuli and using this to take risks and create challenging, interesting and confident compositions

• opportunity to be reflective during the process of creating a dance work, and at the end

• researching and evaluating dance history in a range of dance styles

• encouraging and fostering discussions in critiquing students’ and professionals creative dance work

Assessment

External assessment – 60%

• composition and analysis (practical and written) – 35% (HL)

• composition and analysis (practical and written) – 40% (SL)

SL creates two compositions with a total length of 6-10 minutes. HL creates three compositions with a total length of 8-15 minutes. The last composition for HL can be a ‘dance film’ or an arrangement if they wish. All students complete an analytical statement that reflects on their process.

• world dance investigation (written) – 25% (HL)

• world dance investigation (written) – 20% (SL)

A comparative essay where students discuss the historical and current context of two dance styles. Students compare the dance elements in both styles in particular use of the body in space, time and dynamics. HL students will include an in depth comparative discussion of two short excerpts of dance in their chosen styles.

Internal assessment – 40%

• performance (practical) – 40% (HL)

• performance (practical) – 40% (SL)

SL will perform one to two dances and HL will perform two to three dances. These will be choreographed by a teacher or guest choreographer and students will be assessed on their technical and expressive ability.

University courses and careers

Students who have studied this course have gone on to take courses in dance, theatre, teaching, arts management, marketing, public relations, law, medicine, business studies, languages, occupational therapy, arts therapy, psychology, history, psychology, communication studies and many more.