SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY CARBONDALE

THEA103 C – Sec. 001  BEGINNING JAZZ DANCE / Spring 2021

Tues.-Thurs. 11:10am – 3:30 - 5:00pm (Online)

Zoom ID: 940 9150 6922 PW: 600751

​

INSTRUCTOR’S NAME: Rion Towery

OFFICE LOCATION: Zoom – ID: 931 4340 0253 PW: 040992

OFFICE HOURS Wed. 12:00pm-2:00pm & Fri. 2:00pm-3:00pm (by appointment)

INSTRUCTOR’S EMAIL: claude.towery@siu.edu

PHONE: TBA

​

Covid-19 Guidelines

• Please do not come to class if you are not feeling well and have symptoms, awaiting results of a Covid-19 test, or have Covid-19. These absences will be excused with a signed doctor’s note. In the event this does occur, please email the instructor as soon as possible. Please also refer to the university guidelines on Covid-19 safety at the following link. https://siu.edu/coronavirus/. When in class please follow all social distancing and mask guidelines and protocols. At the end of each class, students will be required to disinfect any equipment that was used during that day.

OBJECTIVE

• To begin acquaintance with the elements of jazz dance technique at the basic level, with an application of these element to classic and contemporary musical theatre repertory and performance.

COURSE GOALS

Students will achieve a thorough understanding of the following concepts:

• Jazz dance terminology

• Ability to understand and utilize proper body alignment, body positions and the relation of breath to movement within the jazz dance idiom.

• Execution of basic level jazz dance technique with agility, musicality, and a deepened understanding of style and total physical integration.

• Demonstration of mastery of basic level jazz dance technique to facilitate continued study in this and other dance forms.

UNITS

The following will be included in every class meeting:

• Warm-up based on concepts found in Luigi, Simonson, and Joel Hall jazz dance techniques.

• Center barre exercised formulated for jazz dance technique based on ballet.

• Jazz dance terminology used commonly which is a combination of modern, jazz, and ballet terminology.

• Locomotor movement and/or progressions.

• Combinations to synthesize both old and new movement.

GRADING SYSTEM AND SCALE          

Points system

• Attendance: 30 points (1 point for each day of class)

• Progression in execution of Technique: 15 points (1 point for each week of class)

• Participation: 15 points (1point for each week of class)

• Warm-Up Assignment: 15 points

• Final Exam: 25 points

                                               Total Points Possible: 100

ATTENDANCE

• THEA 103C is a studio-based course. Attendance is MANDATORY. There is no ‘excused absence’ policy, unless a doctor’s note is present under unavoidable circumstances (i.e., COVID-19). You must attend if you want to succeed. There are no makeup classes for the course. Please, be on time. Since THEA 103C is a two-credit course, 2 tardies = 1 absence. Be in dance attire on the floor at the beginning of class or you will be marked tardy. Be aware, this class is graded on a point scale. There are 30 class days for this course, this semester. For every class you are present you will receive one point, and each class you are absent will result in the loss of a point. Meaning, the more classes you are present, the better your grade. A total of 30 points are possible. The more you are absent the lower your grade becomes. Two unexcused absences will result in the lowering of your final grade by a FULL letter grade, and so on. In the event of an extended illness or injury, you must remain proactive and submit appropriate documentation upon your return to class. I will not accept this information at the end of the semester; it must be dated and cover every date you have missed. If there is a campus or departmental activity you must attend for a class or organization, let me know in advance and we can see where the absences will fall and plan accordingly. Please, let me know if you need to leave early. Students who leave early, without permission, will be marked absent for that day. If you have a family emergency or prolonged illness, you may wish to contact Transitional Programs (618) 536-2338. This office will notify all of you course instructors and save you unnecessary worry.

PROGRESSION

• Progression will be assessed by a combination of instructor observation and your individual ability to demonstrate jazz dance technique, as well as correct jazz dance terminology/vocabulary. If asked to demonstrate a step, you must know the proper name for it. If you are asked to write about a performance, you must demonstrate this knowledge in describing the movement. There are a total of 15 points for this section. 1 point for each week of class. A lack of growth in your ability to demonstrate and/or a lack of knowledge regarding terminology, will result in a partial or full loss of that point.

PARTICIPATION

• To achieve the best grade you can earn, you must be attentive, focused, respect the dance space, and be eager to learn. Listen to all corrections (even those given to other students) and apply them to your body. Ask questions. WEAR APPROPRIATE DANCE

ATTIRE AND SHOES!!! DRESS CODE: Attire should be form-fitting, or at least semi-form-fitting, so you and the instructor can see the lines of the body to evaluate form and correct technique. Do not wear any loose fabric that hinders you or the instructor from observation. Leotards, tights, jazz pants and JAZZ SHOES are the norm and are preferred. In case of extreme cold in the space, white or black cotton socks may be worn during warm-up segments of class ONLY. Once we begin to move in space, students will get a chance to put on shoes. Hair should be up and off the neck before class begins. Baggy shorts, tee shirts, and sweatpants are not acceptable. The short shorts (a.k.a booty shorts) are acceptable but only if your derriere is completely covered. There are a total of 15 points for this section. 1 point for each week of class. A lack of participation or incorrect dance attire will result in a partial or full loss of that point.

WARM-UP ASSIGNMENT

• Each student will need to prepare a 30-minute warm-up for a class day they sign up for near the end of the semester. After observing the instructor’s warm-ups throughout the semester, students should be able to grasp fundamental knowledge of how a proper warm-up should be prepared and administered. Music selections for the warm-up should also be prepared ahead of time and in an appropriate fashion. Music choices should reflect the energy level, style, and tempo, associated with a successful jazz warm-up. Attention must be given to the entire body to make sure every student is completely warmed up from head to toe. Pay special attention to the lower body and include ankle/foot work. This is a one-time assignment worth a total of 15 points. The more successful and encompassing the warm-up, the better the grade.

FINAL EXAM

• The final exam will consist of performing a choreographed piece the instructor has designated and taught throughout the course of the semester. Grades will be given based on growth, sustainability, technique, musicality, and expression. The final exam is worth 25 points.

WATER BREAKS

• As a dancer and an instructor, I realize the importance of hydration during class. HOWEVER, I will allow one break for water at ONE point in the class. The constant leaving of class to retrieve a water bottle is no longer acceptable. BRING A WATER BOTTLE TO CLASS! The only beverage allowed in the dance space will be water.

IMPORTANT DATES – SPRING 2021

• Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday (campus holiday, no class) – Monday, January 18, 2021

• 2021 Spring Semester Classes Begin – Tuesday, January 19, 2021

• Last day to add full-term course (without Dean’s signature) – Sunday, January 24, 2021

• Last day to drop a full-term course and be eligible for a refund – Sunday, January 31, 2021

• Last day to drop a full-term course w/grade, no refund – Sunday, March 28, 2021

• Spring Break – Not offered this semester

• Honors Day – TBD

• Final Examinations – Monday, May 3 through Friday, May 7, 2021

• Commencement – Saturday, May 8, 2021

WITHDRAWAL POLICY

Undergraduate Students only: who officially register for a session must officially withdraw from that registration in a timely manner to avoid charges as well as receiving a failing grade for those classes. An official withdrawal must be initiated by the student, or on behalf of the student through the academic unit, and be processed by the Registrar’s office. For the proper procedures to follow when dropping courses and when withdrawing from SIU visit: http://registrar.siu.edu/students/withdraw.html

​

INCOMPLETE POLICY

Undergraduate only An INC grade is given when, for reasons beyond their control, students engaged in passing work are unable to complete all class assignments for the course. An INC must be changed to a completed grade within one full semester (undergraduates), and one full year (graduate students), from the close of the term in which the course was taken or graduation, whichever occurs first. Should the student fail to complete the remaining course requirements within the time period designated, the incomplete will be converted to a grade of F and such grade will be computed in the student's grade point average. For more information visit: http://registrar.siu.edu/grades/incomplete.html

​

REPEAT POLICY

An undergraduate student may, for the purpose of raising a grade, enroll in a course for credit more than once. For students receiving a letter grade of A, B, C, D, or F, the course repetition must occur at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Effective for courses taken Summer 2013 or later, only the most recent (last) grade will be calculated in the overall GPA and count toward hours earned. This policy will be applied to all transferrable credit in that only the last grade will be used to calculate grade point average. Only those courses taken at the same institution are considered repeats under this policy. See full policy at http://registrar.siu.edu/students/repeatclasses.html

​

GRADUATE POLICIES

Graduate policies often vary from Undergraduate policies. To view the applicable policies for graduate students, please refer to the graduate catalog at: http://gradschool.siu.edu/aboutus/grad- catalog/index.html

​

DISABILITY POLICY

Disability Support Services provides the required academic and programmatic support services to students with permanent and temporary disabilities. DSS provides centralized coordination and referral services. To utilize DSS services, students must contact DSS to open cases. The process involves interviews, reviews of student supplied documentation, and completion of Disability Accommodation Agreements. http://disabilityservices.siu.edu/

​

PLAGIARISM

Student Conduct Code: http://srr.siu.edu/student_conduct_code/ Guidelines for Faculty http://pvcaa.siu.edu/_common/documents/Plagiarism/Guide% 20to%20Preventing%20Plagiarism.pdf

​

SAFETY AWARENESS FACTS AND EDUCATION

Title IX makes it clear that violence and harassment based on sex and gender is a Civil Rights offense subject to the same kinds of accountability and the same kinds of support applied to offenses against other protected categories such as race, national origin, etc. If you or someone you know has been harassed or assaulted, you can find the appropriate resources here: http://safe.siu.edu

​

SALUKI CARES

The purpose of Saluki Cares is to develop, facilitate and coordinate a university-wide program of care and support for students in any type of distress— physical, emotional, financial, or personal. By working closely with faculty, staff, students and their families, SIU will continue to display a culture of care and demonstrate to our students and their families that they are an important part of the community. For Information on Saluki Cares: call (618) 453-1492, email siucares@siu.edu, or http://salukicares.siu.edu/index.html

SIU's EARLY WARNING INTERVENTION PROGRAM (EWIP)

Students enrolled in courses participating in SIU’s Early Warning Intervention Program might be contacted by University staff during a semester. More information can be found at the Core Curriculum’s Overview webpage: http://corecurriculum.siu.edu/program-overview/

​

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

We ask that you become familiar with Emergency Preparedness @ SIU. Emergency response information is available on posters in buildings on campus, on the Emergency Preparedness @ SIU website, and though text and email alerts. To register for alerts, visit: http://emergency.siu.edu/

​

INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE

SIU contains people from all walks of life, from many different cultures and sub-cultures, and representing all strata of society, nationalities, ethnicities, lifestyles, and affiliations. Learning from and working with people who differ is an important part of education as well an essential preparation for any career. For more information visit: http://www.inclusiveexcellence.siu.edu/

​

LEARNING AND SUPPORT SERVICES

Help is within reach. Learning support services offers free tutoring on campus and math labs. To find more information please visit the Center for Learning and Support Services website: Tutoring: http://tutoring.siu.edu/ Math Labs: http://math.siu.edu/courses/course-help.php

​

WRITING CENTER

The Writing Center offers free tutoring services to all SIU students and faculty. To find a Center or Schedule an appointment please visit: http://write.siu.edu/

​

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION & EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Our office's main focus is to ensure that the university complies with federal and state equity policies and handles reporting and investigating of discrimination cases. For more information visit: http://diversity.siu.edu/#

​

MILITARY COMMUNITY

There are complexities of being a member of the military community and also a student. Drill schedules, calls to active duty, complications with GI Bill disbursement, and other unforeseen military and veteran related developments can complicate academic life. If you are a member of the military community and in need of accommodations, please visit Veterans Services at http://veterans.siu.edu/

​

BUILDING EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROTOCOLS FOR SYLLABUS:

University’s Emergency Procedure Clause: Southern Illinois University Carbondale is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for study and work. Because some health and safety circumstances are beyond our control, we ask that you become familiar with the SIUC Emergency Response Plan and Building Emergency Response Team (BERT) program. Emergency response information is available on posters in buildings on campus, available on BERT’s website at www.bert.siu.edu, Department of Public Safety’s website www.dps.siu.edu (disaster drop down) and in the Emergency Response Guideline pamphlet. Know how to respond to each type of emergency. Instructors will provide guidance and direction to students in the classroom in the event of an emergency affecting your location. It is important that you follow these instructions and stay with your instructor during an evacuation or sheltering emergency. The Building Emergency Response Team will provide assistance to your instructor in evacuating the building or sheltering within the facility. Students with a Disability: Instructors and students in the class will work together as a team to assist students with a disability safely out of the building. Students with a disability will stay with the instructor and communicate with the instructor what is the safest way to assist them. Tornado: During the spring semester we have a Storm Drill. Pick up your belongings and your instructor will lead you to a safe area of the basement. No one will be allowed to stay upstairs. Stay away from windows. The drill should not last more than 10 minutes. You must stay with your instructor so he/she can take roll. Students need to be quiet in the basement as the BERT members are listening to emergency instructions on handheld radios and cannot hear well in the basement. Fire: During the fall semester we have a Fire Drill. Pick up your belongings and your instructor will lead you to either the North or South parking lot depending on what part of the building your class is in. You must stay with your instructor so he/she can take roll. As soon as the building is all clear, you will be allowed to return to class. These drills are to train instructors and the Building Emergency Response Team to get everyone to a safe place during an emergency. Bomb Threat: If someone calls in a bomb threat, class will be suspended and students will be asked to pick up their belongings, evacuate the building and leave the premises. Do not leave anything that is yours behind. We will not allow anyone back into the building until the police and bomb squad give us an all clear. DO NOT USE YOUR CELL PHONES. Some bombs are triggered by a cell phone signal. Shooter in the Building: If it is safe to leave, move to a safe area far from the building away from where the shooter is located. If anyone has any information about the shooter, please contact the police after they have gone someplace safe. Put in your cell phone the SIU Dept. of Public Safety 618-453-3771. If there is a shooter on campus you can call this number to report it. There will be a lot of calls going to 911 and the SIU Police will get your call using 618-453-3771. It is good to have this number listed in your cell phone for all emergencies here on campus.

​

If it is not safe to leave, go into a room, lock the door and turn out the lights. Everyone should spread out and not huddle together as a group. Don't stand in front of the door or in line of fire with the door. Students' chair and desks should be piled in front of the glass and door as a barricade and the teacher's desk, podium and anything movable can be pushed against the door. This is intended to slow down any attempts to enter the classroom. If it looks like the shooter is persistent and able to enter, make a lot of noise and have the students use everything in their backpacks to throw at the shooter to distract him. Silence all cell phones after one person in the room calls the police and informs them of their location and how many people are in the room. Be quiet and wait for the police to arrive. The police are looking for one or more shooters, and they have no way of knowing if the shooter is in the room people are hiding in. For this reason, when the police enter the room, no one should have anything in his/her hands and each person MUST raise his/her hands above his/her head.

​

Earthquake: In the event of an earthquake, you are advised to take cover quickly under heavy furniture or crouch near an interior wall or corner and cover your head to avoid falling debris. Outside the building are trees and power lines and debris from the building itself that you will need to stay away from. In the building, large open areas like auditoriums are the most dangerous. Do not try to escape on a stairway or elevator. Do not hide under a stairway. We do not recommend that you stand in a doorway because the door could shut from the vibrations and crush your fingers trapping you there.

Radiation Emergency: A radiation emergency could come about due to a complete meltdown of a nuclear reactor core to our west, a catastrophic leak of material from nuclear weapons manufacturing facilities to our south, or as a result of a nuclear weapon being detonated in or around St. Louis, MO, or along the Ohio River valley between Paducah KY and Evansville IN. Regardless of the source of the radiation, what you need to do in response is the same: • Get inside, stay inside and Stay tuned - Close and lock all windows and doors. Go to the basement or the middle of the building. Radioactive material settles on the outside of buildings; stay as far away from the walls and roof of the building as you can. If possible, turn off fans, air conditioners, and forced-air heating units that bring air in from the outside. Close fireplace dampers. • Bring pets inside with you, if you can. Bring in any supplies from outside that your pets might need for at least 24 hours. • If you were outside when it started, carefully remove your outer layer of clothing before entering the building, if you can. Radioactive material can settle on your clothing and your body, like dust or mud. Once inside, wash the parts of your body that were uncovered when you were outside. Then put-on clean clothing, if you can. This will help limit your radiation exposure and keep radioactive material from spreading. • Cover your mouth and nose with a mask, cloth, or towel if you must be outside and cannot get inside immediately. • Vehicles do not provide good protection from radioactive material. • Schools, daycares, hospitals, nursing homes, and other places have emergency plans in place to keep people safe at the facility. • Providing shelter to someone who was outside during a radiation emergency can save their life without endangering your own. They will have to remove outer layer of clothes before they enter the building and wash the parts of their body that were uncovered. Give the clean clothing or coverings that you have. This will help limit their radiation exposure and keep radioactive material from spreading.

​

Hazardous Materials:

While there are many possible scenarios where hazardous materials spill, explode, are released into the air, and/or burn, a train derailment is the most likely cause of a serious incident. Regardless of how the incident begins, the following guidance should be followed. Listen to local radio or television stations for detailed information and instructions. Follow the instructions carefully. You should stay away from the area to minimize the risk of contamination. Remember that some toxic chemicals are odorless.

• If you are asked to evacuate, do so immediately. Take pre-assembled disaster supplies. Help your neighbors who may require special assistance--infants, elderly people and people with access and functional needs. Follow evacuation routes, temporary shelters, and procedures. Don’t leave your pets. If you evacuate take them with you.

• If you are caught outside o Stay upstream, uphill, and upwind! Try to go at least one-half mile from the danger area. Move away from the accident scene and help keep others away. Do not walk into or touch any spilled liquids, airborne mists, or condensed solid chemical deposits. Try not to inhale gases, fumes and smoke. If possible, cover mouth with a cloth while leaving the area.  Stay away from accident victims until the hazardous material has been identified.

• If you are in a motor vehicle, Stop and seek shelter in a permanent building. If you must remain in your car Keep car windows and vents closed Shut off the air conditioner and heater. If you are requested to stay indoors. Bring pets inside. Close and lock all exterior doors and windows. Close vents, fireplace dampers, and as many interior doors as possible. Turn off air conditioners and ventilation systems. Seal gaps under doorways and windows with wet towels or plastic sheeting and duct tape. Seal gaps around window and air conditioning units, bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans, and stove and dryer vents with duct tape and plastic sheeting, wax paper or aluminum wrap. Use material to fill cracks and holes in the room, such as those around pipes. o If gas or vapors could have entered the building, take shallow breaths through a cloth or a towel. Avoid eating or drinking any food or water that may be contaminated.

​

Rave Mobile Safety Alert System:

We recommend that you sign up for the Rave Mobile Safety Alert System. It is a system to alert you through emergency text messages on your cell phone and emails for emergencies on campus, weather reports and emergency school closures. You have to sign up for Rave Mobile Safety Alert System. Go to Saluki Net, go to my records tab, under SIUC Personal Records, click on View My SIUC Student Records, Under Main Menu click on Personal Information, click on View and Update Addresses and Phones, in the middle of the page click [Update Addresses and Phones], under phones click Primary: This will take you to Update Addresses and Phones – Update/Insert, under primary phone number for this address put in your cell phone and submit. For more information, visit dps.siu.edu, contact SalukiTech at 453-5155 or salukitech@siu.edu.

​

CPR/Defibrillator and First Aid Class:

If you would like to take a CPR/Defibrillator and/or First Aid class, contact LaVon Donley Cornett, lavong@siu.edu or call 453-7473. Women's Self Defense Classes are offered to female student’s faculty and staff by the Department of SIU Public Safety. For more information call the Department of SIU Public Safety 453-3771.

​

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
ADVISEMENT: http://advisement.siu.edu/
SIU ONLINE: http://online.siu.edu/
SALUKINET: https://salukinet.siu.edu/
MORRIS LIBRARY HOURS: http://www.lib.siu.edu/