Dance- Higher
SCQF Framework
SCQF Level: 6
SCQF Credit Points: 24
Skills Framework
Delivering Centre
Vale of Leven Academy
Purpose and Aims
The course inspires and challenges candidates by giving them the opportunity to create, appreciate and perform dance. Candidates use knowledge and understanding of dance techniques and choreographic skills to inform practice, and develop skills in appreciating and evaluating dance practice and theatre arts.
Candidates learn how to use dance techniques and choreography creatively to enhance performance. They experiment with a range of dance styles and learn how to apply them to enhance their own performances and the performances of others. Candidates also explore the use of theatre arts in dance.
The course enables candidates to:
develop a broad range of technical dance skills
evaluate technical and performance skills in their own work and that of others
understand and apply the principles of safe dance practice
demonstrate, understand and apply knowledge of a range of choreographic principles and theatre arts to create a dance for a group or an individual
work imaginatively and demonstrate creativity through problem solving, critical thinking, analysis and reflective practice
co-operate, support and work with others
consider how theatre arts can enhance a performance
develop knowledge, understanding and appreciation of dance practice
analyse the use of theatre arts in a professional choreography
evaluate the impact of choreographic principles used in a professional dance
Recommended Entry
Entry to this course is at the discretion of the centre.
Candidates should have achieved the National 5 Dance course or equivalent qualifications and/or experience prior to starting this course.
Progression
a range of dance-related National Progression Awards (NPAs)
HNC and HND Professional Dance Performance
HNC and HND Dance Artists
further study, employment and/or training
Career Options
Further Information
Course Content
As candidates develop technical and choreographic skills, they learn to analyse the work of dance practitioners and how to use this knowledge to inform and influence their own creative thinking and performance.
Choreography:
Candidates explore choreographic principles to enhance their creativity and develop the skills and knowledge they need to plan and create a group choreography. Through this process, candidates gain knowledge and understanding of theme and/or stimulus, complex structures, choreographic devices and spatial elements. They explore the use of theatre arts in choreography and develop creative, organisational, problem-solving and evaluation skills.
Technical skills:
Candidates explore a minimum of two contrasting dance styles through structured technique classes. They then apply these dance techniques in tutor-choreographed solos. Candidates develop knowledge and apply safe dance practice. They develop their understanding of the social and cultural factors influencing dance, and apply critical-thinking skills through studying contrasting dance styles, dance history and influential choreographers and practitioners.
Course Assessment Structure
Question paper - 40 marks (30% of overall course award)
Candidates must answer all questions, which are sampled from the ‘Skills, knowledge and understanding for the course assessment’ section of this document. The question paper has two sections:
Section 1: Dance appreciation in context (24 marks)
Section 2: Study of a professional choreography (16 marks)
Practical activity - 70 marks (30% of overall course award)
This assesses candidates’ ability to apply problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, interpretation and reflective practice. It has two sections:
Section 1: Choreography (45 marks)
Candidates explore the choreographic process to create a group choreography for a minimum of three dancers, excluding self. The choreography must last between a minimum of 2 minutes and a maximum of 3 minutes.
Section 2: Choreography review (25 marks)
Candidates produce an extended response to review the choreographic principles, the group dance and their skills as a choreographer.
Performance - 70 marks (40% of overall course award)
Candidates perform two solos in contrasting dance styles. They are assessed on their ability to apply and combine technical and performance skills as appropriate to each. The performance is two tutor-choreographed technical solos in contrasting dance styles. Each piece must last a minimum of 1 minute and 30 seconds and a maximum of 2 minutes.