V

CAEd 115
FOUNDATIONS OF DANCE

LEARNING GUIDE

ANNA BETH A. VARRON

COLLEGE OF
EDUCATION

INSTITUTE OF HUMAN KINETICS

2021
No copies temporary or permanent, in whole or in part of this
IM shall be made without written permission from the
author/s.
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Module 4: Dance in Society

Module Overview

Figure 1 Image of Jazz Dancer

Source: https://bit.ly/2UYr9qb

Throughout history, dance has been an influential part of society. Dance has expanded
to become entertainment, a health and fitness activity, and a part of education. This module
provides an overview of folk dance, ballet, modern dance, jazz dance, tap dance techniques,
and basic steps. Folk dancing has a long history. Beginning in 20th century, folk dance became
a dance form taught in schools and colleges. Folk dance clubs, camps, organizations, and
festivals form to celebrate and preserve folk dance heritage. At the same time, ballet is a
dance genre with a history beginning in the Renaissance. Over the centuries, dancers,
choreographers, and personalities developed a codified technique of exercises, positions,
poses, and steps recognized as ballet. The traditional ballet class contains two parts. Modern
dance lets you describe who you are and what you believe through movement. It is a powerful
language once you become fluent in this language. Furthermore, jazz dance and tap dance
have been a staple in musical theater dance and dance entertainment.

Motivation Questions
• Why was dancing invented?
• What does a typical dance class scenario?
• Who teaches dance classes?

In ancient Greek mythology, nine muses were associated with each one of the
arts. Terpischore was the muse of dancing.
Lesson 4.1: History of Dance

Lesson Summary

Figure 2 Second Generation Modern Dance image by Nicole Smith

Source: https://bit.ly/368lqnO

Dance has been a significant factor of culture throughout history. When dance
changed from communication to entertainment and performing arts, it split and grew in other
forms to include entertainment, health and wellness events, and part of education. Learning
how to perform historical dances and then learning about these dances in society's contexts,
the arts, and history lets you get a sense of this transformation cycle that is part of the history
of dance—and the history of life.

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the lesson, you will be able to:
1. Perform dances from various historical eras.
2. Connect historical dances to society and the arts during a specific era.

Motivation Questions

• Do people dance throughout the history of mankind?

• As a dance student, do you know well about the history of dance?
• Do you agree that political, economic events, art styles and social events relates to
dance? Why?
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Some dances are disapproved of so much by society that they are banned. In 1913,
German army and navy personnel could be dismissed for dancing the tango. In 1956,
during one of Elvis Presley’s first television appearances, cameras showed him only
from the waist up, because the gyrating movements of his hips were considered
shocking.

Discussion
Seed Reading
Exploring Dance Process by Gayle Kassing
Source: Kassing, G. (2014). Discovering Dance. Human Kinetics.
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References and Additional Resources

Dance Performance. (n.d.). Rubric. https://bit.ly/2RPHgVc

Franklin, E. (2014). Dance imagery for technique and performance (2nd ed.). Human Kinetics.
Kassing, G. (2014). Discovering Dance. Human Kinetics.
Philippine Folk Dance Society. (2009). A Classic Collection of Philippine Folk Dances: Series IV. ASA Press. ISBN
82000-520
Smith-Autard, J.(2010). Dance Composition. Methuen Drama.