Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Jazz Dance I (Face-to-Face)

DANC 1500-01

Course: DANC 1500-01
Credits: 1
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: TA
CRN: 30587

Course Description

An introduction to the basic techniques of jazz dance. (Fall) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Repeatable for Add’l Credit? Yes - Total Times: 3 Registration Restriction(s): Dance, Dance Education, Acting, Musical Theatre, Theatre, Theatre Education, and Theatre Design & Production majors or Dance minors only

Required Texts

I do not have the students read something in the course.

Learning in Real Time: Learning is not a fixed, linear process. It evolves as students interact with new ideas, reflect on their experiences, and engage with the course material. This policy acknowledges that students' understanding, and interests may develop over time. As such, the selected readings will be determined by student choice and be adjusted throughout the semester based on ongoing discussions, evolving interests, and feedback. This real-time learning approach ensures that the course remains relevant and responsive to their academic journey and allows for agency and autonomy

Suggested reading:

Jazz Dance: A History of the Roots & Branches Edited by: Lindsay Guarino & Wendy Oliver (ISBN-13: 978-0813061290)

Learning Outcomes

Civic Engagement/Intercultural Analysis and Competence:
· Understand the diversity of communities and cultures and develop an appreciation of the differences that exist

Communication:
· Demonstrate a command for content in both physical and written work, whether it is in a kinesthetic, verbal, or visual experience.

Creative Thinking:
· Engage in the creative process by transforming course material into brief student generated movement studies.

Integration of Learning:
· Demonstrate the ability to make connections between physical and cognitive experiences

Lifelong Learning:
· Demonstrate self-sufficiency in learning to engage in purposeful, ongoing learning, and application of historical and contemporary artistic concepts

Problem Solving:
· Formulate, analyze, and implement strategies to improve movement and performance through application of concepts and techniques.

Teamwork:
· Demonstrate productive and positive interactions with others (in or out of class) to complete assignments, tasks, or projects.

Course Requirements

Historic Vernacular & Jazz Music I Clinic/Quiz: Students will learn basic jazz dance vernacular based upon their level in addition to various musical jazz forms which will then be evaluated through an in-class quiz.

Midterm/Reflection: Students will perform one-two previously learned combinations and participate in a reflection to consider their achievements and continued efforts in the movement material presented in class.

Final: Students will perform one-two previously learned combinations with increased difficulty from the midterm.

Participation: Physical, cognitive, and creative participation are an essential part of the course and include adherence to:
1. Introductory policies
2. Video policies
3. Attendance and late policies
4. Appropriate attire
5. Mutual respect
6. Applying corrections
7. Attention to movement retention
8. Completion of ALL written and practical assignments
9. Effective Communication

The instructor will notify a student if the level of active participation is not meeting the standard, becomes questionable, or drops. Students who actively modify their participation in a timely manner will prevent a negative outcome on the participation evaluation at the end of the semester

Course Outline

This is a movement-based technique course therefore the traditional outline that a lecture course follows does not apply.

Movement: Students will participate in movement combinations throughout each class that will include: a warmup, progressions across the floor, and a center combination. These will increase with difficulty as the semester progresses and will be based off of the level of the students within the class to promote equal part rigor and safety.

Discussions: Occasionally, students will participate in discussions in class in relation to historical and current developments within jazz dance subject matter may include the development of Lindy Hop, the Shim Sham, The Big Apple and where the form sits within the framework of jazz today.

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

Students MUST complete all assignments to pass the course. Therefore, if an assignment is missed or turned in late, the student will be placed on the Failing List for the course and fail the assignment. Once the missed assignment is turned the student’s name will be removed from the Failing List, but the student will NOT accrue any points for the assignment. For every day an assignment is late students will lose points for the assignments (extenuating circumstances do not apply). The per day deduction depends on how many points the overall assignment is. 

Extensions for Assignments:
Students will only be considered for an extension of an assignment through written emailed requests. Please note the request must come through at least 3 days prior to the assignment due date and will not necessarily be approved. This will be a case-by-case basis and will ONLY be considered under extenuating circumstances. 

Make Up/Extra Credit Policy:
Make-up work and extra credit will only be considered under extenuating circumstances. Proper documentation will be required for these to be considered.

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.