Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Conditioning and Somatic Practicum (Face-to-Face)

DANC 1000-01

Course: DANC 1000-01
Credits: 1
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: TA
CRN: 30581

Course Description

An introduction to various dance conditioning techniques and somatic practices. Coursework will provide students with foundational kinesiological knowledge and practical tools with which to cultivate healthy movement/dance practices. (Fall) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): Dance, Dance Education, Acting, Musical Theatre, Theatre, Theatre Education, and Theatre Design & Production majors or Dance minors only

Required Texts

Wilmerding, V., & Krasnow, Donna H. (2017). Dancer Wellness. Champaign, IL:
Human Kinetics. Required text may vary by instructor.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

Creative Thinking, Inquiry, and Analysis:
  • Analyze, synthesize, and apply conditioning modalities and somatic practices to students’ own bodies
Integrated and Lifelong Learning:
  • Employ healthy skeletal alignment principles in all daily activities
  • Devise personally attuned wellness practices to aid efficiency of movement andinjury prevention in other classes and rehearsals
  • Challenge habitual movement patterns and forge new ways of working
Communication:
  • Engage in detailed and respectful discourse with one another to enrich both intellectual and embodied comprehension of the physical modalities presented
Problem Solving:
  • Develop best practices to address current state of personal physical strength/mobility, nutritional health, and/or mental readiness; and, build awareness toward assessing future challenges

Course Requirements

Participation:
This is a participatory class – attendance is required and recorded daily (see attendance
policy below). Your participation (physical, cognitive, and creative) is essential for the most
productive learning environment of the group. It is your responsibility to respect yourself, your
peers, and the instructor by actively participating and invoking a willingness to grow.
Active participation* in a dance class reflects the following:

o Personal investment, willingness to take risks, applying focus and concentration,
and wholistic engagement
o Positive working demeanor, demonstrating empathy and respect for peers and
the instructor
o Feedback and corrections received and applied in a proactive and respectful
manner
o Working safely and effectively in class and supporting others in doing the same
o An understanding that “on time” means to be properly attired (refer to “studio
etiquette”) and prepared, even if this means early arrival and personalized
warming practices

Physical Contact Disclaimer: A potential component of this course is physical contact. At
times, touch is the most effect way for the instructor to offer feedback and/or guidance.

Please, if you are uncomfortable in any way or have any injuries, do not hesitate to discuss
this with the instructor before or after class.
*Instructor will notify a student if level of active participation becomes questionable. Making
modifications in a timely manner will prevent impact on the student’s grade.
o Reading Comprehension & Discussion Contributions
Students are expected to demonstrate comprehension of reading assignments during class
discussions (on canvas and during class). These discussions are designed to help reinforce
essential concepts for this course as well as to aid students in the development of their
Wellness Plan project.
o Final Project: Dancer Wellness Plan
Students are expected to work together in groups to develop Dancer Wellness plans. These
plans should outline goals and practices to promote optimal individual strength, coordination,
flexibility, stamina, and deeper body/mind awareness. The format for this project will be
discussed in class.

Course Outline

The course readings will provide students with a comprehensive overview of dancer wellness strategies. In-class activities will apply this knowledge through the practice of various conditioning and somatic modalities including, but not limited to:
• Yoga
• Pilates
• Alexander Technique
• The Franklin Method
• Calisthenics & Weight Training
• Bartenieff Fundamentals

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late Work Policy: I do not accept late assignments for full credit. If a student has an excused
absence on a due date, this student will arrange an earlier turn-in time with the instructor.
Make Up Work/Extra Credit: Extra Credit assignments may be made available on a case by
case basis at the instructor's discretion.

Attendance Policy

This course is graded based on attendance. A student is allotted three unexcused absences
(for classes meeting two-days per week) or four unexcused absences (for classes meeting
three-days per week). Following the allotted unexcused absences for a specific course, each
additional unexcused absence will incur a half letter grade deduction from a student’s
cumulative grade as outlined below:
· 0 additional unexcused absences: A
· 1 additional unexcused absence: A-
· 2 additional unexcused absences: B
· 3 additional unexcused absences: C+
· 4 additional unexcused absences: C-
· 5 additional unexcused absences: D

In addition to attendance, grades are contingent upon the completion and quality of all other
course requirements as outlined by the professor.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.