Dance History Syllabus

Boston Arts Academy

Dance History Syllabus
-first term -



Course description This is a lecture course in dance history. The first semester will cover the history of ballet, starting with the Superior Paleolithic (Stone Age), Beginning of Neolithic, Renaissance Court dances and the development of dance all the way through the mid-20th century. Reading and analysis of videos and photographs will be assigned throughout the semester. In-studio projects will guide our discussion about form, content and critical reception.


Guiding questions
• How started the dance and when?
• Under what form and where?
• Who were the dancers, who was the audience and who paid for everything?
• How did these dances look and how the dancers feel dancing this way?
• Where did the dances take place?
• How they learned to dance and where?
• How did these dances reflect the art period they were created in?
• When did the costumes, line and the technique begin to change and why?

Required texts Istoria baletului (Tilde Urseanu, Ion Ianegic, Liviu Ionescu). Translation and photocopies will be provided. Ballet 101 (Robert Greskovic). Photocopies of selected readings will be provided. Dancing through History (Joan Cass/Prentice Hall)? Selected articles from web.

Class requirements and grading
Punctual completion of all reading and writing assignments is essential for your success in this course. Active participation in class is strongly encouraged. Details on specific written assignments, projects and performances will be provided and announced during the semester.
20% Class participation (punctuality, attendance, discipline and contribution)
20% Homework
20% Performance /Attendance
10% Special in-studio projects
30% Tests


Course schedule

Unit One: Superior Paleolithic (Stone Age)

• Introduction to course
• Introduction to Stone Age dances
• The Egyptian rituals and Greek culture
Reading assignment: Istoria Baletului (Translations)
Homework: Read "Glimpses of the Past"(Copies are provided)

• 10 to 15 min. small test about "Glimpses of the Past" Introduction to Renaissance (Italian art in France) Reading assignment: Ballet Comique de la Reine (Dance as a theatre II p. 19) Renaissance "Istoria Baletului" (I will translate)


Unit Two: Renaissance
• Peruse website on Le Ballet Comique @ http://depts.washington.edu/uwdance/dance344reading/bcconten.htm

• Luis the XIV (The Sun King)
Reading assignment: Ballet 101 (p. 11-14) "The Sun King Dances"
(copies are provided)

Unit Three: Baroque Dance and Ballet d'Action

• In class video

• Rise of Professionalism, Noverre's Reforms and the French Revolution Reading assignment: "Entrechats and Revolution" (Professional Ballet 1714 to 1789)
Homework: Write a short essay comparing dancers of the Renaissance and Baroque period.

• In class video La Fille Mai Gardee and discussion
Homework: Read Ballet of the Nuns (copies are provided)

Unit Four: Romantic Ballet

• Introduction to the Romantic Ballet

• In class video "La Sylphide"
Reading assignment: Ballet 101 (p. 325-327)?

• Discuss "La Sylphide" and in class video Act 1 "Giselle"
Homework: Write a short essay comparing "La Sylphide" and "Giselle

• In class video Act 2 "Giselle"

• Discuss "Giselle"
Homework: search and read about "Coppelia"

• In class video of "Coppelia"

• Conclude viewing of "Coppelia" and discussion
Homework: Begin "Dance History Tree" (Stone Age - end of Romantic Period)


Unit Five: Classical Ballet

• Introduction to Classical Ballet and begin viewing "Sleeping Beauty"

• Conclude viewing of "Sleeping Beauty" and discussion
Homework: Continue "Dance History Tree" (Romantic -Classical)

• In class video "Swan Lake" Petipa (Odette/Odile pas de deux)

• Discussion of "Swan Lake" Homework: Read about Petipa (copies will be provided)



Unit Six: Ballets Russe - Serge Diaghlev

• Introduction to Ballets Russe and in class video of "Les Sylphides"

• Reading and discussion about Nijinsky
Homework: write a short essay comparing "Swan Lake" and "Les Sylphides"

-Reading and discussion about Diaghlev, in class video "Petrouchka"

• Discussion of "Firebird" or "Petrouchka", Fokine and Pavlova
Homework: Write a critic for "Firebird" or "Petrouchka"

-Discussion of the work of Massine
Reading assignments: Istoria Baletului (Translation and copies will be provided)

Unit Seven: Modern Ballet in America-Tudor, Balanchine and de Mille

• Introduction to Tudor, in class viewing of Jardin aux Lilas (excerpts) and
Discussion of his aesthetic, line and method
Homework: Reading assignments: Agnes de Mille (copies will be provided)

• Introduction to Agnes de Mille, in class video "Rodeo" (excerpts)

• Introduction to Balanchine, in class video

Homework: Dance History Tree (Serge Diaghilev to Balanchine),

• We will finish the "Dance History Tree"

Office Hours: Mr. Marculetiu, Tuesday and Thursday by appointment only.
Syllabus and course schedule subjects to change!!!