Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Contact Improvisation (Face-to-Face)

DANC 3080-01

Course: DANC 3080-01
Credits: 1
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: TA
CRN: 30594

Course Description

An introduction to fundamental principles of Contact Improvisation by way of explorations and prompts. Class work will be organized around the physics of two bodies working safely together to explore concepts such as displacement, suspension, centrifugal force, opposition, and active listening, all the while cultivating a comfortability with response and choice. (Fall) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): DANC 2510 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C Repeatable for Add’l Credit? Yes - Total Times: 2

Required Texts

There is no required course text. Required readings and viewings are available as web links or PDF files on our
class Canvas page. Please consult the course schedule for this information.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge of Human Cultures:
• Demonstrate an appreciation of the art form from an embodied perspective and aesthetic experience
Critical Thinking:
• Demonstrate an ability to observe and analyze phrase work in order to facilitate constructive feedback for
self and others
• Recognize and utilize one’s own body in relation to space and potential impetuses for movement
• Effectively and safely challenge the body and mind with new practices
Creative Thinking:
• Demonstrate an ability to transfer observed movements and theory onto one’s own body
• Relate and play with the effects of gravity, as well as the dynamics of initiation and effort
Integrated and Lifelong Learning:
• Engage in personal assessment and reflective practices that encourage self-directed learning
• Demonstrate a greater sense of awareness and trust of others in relation to one’s own physical activity

Course Requirements

Participation (60% of final grade)
This is a participatory class – your presence is imperative. Engaged participation is more than simply speaking or dancing in class. Students should demonstrate consistent commitment and focus, continually exhibiting personal motivation and openness to the learning process; professional and mature behavior is always needed. Further, students are expected to support each other in creating a safe/brave space for experimentation, creativity, and expression. Course discussions should be relevant, respectful of individuals (which is different than respectful of ideas), and constructive. I understand people show engagement in different ways. I do not expect everyone to participate in the same ways; however, if you are a student who does not frequently speak in whole group discussions, please make sure you actively participate in small groups and speak to me separately about how to
participate in ways that contribute to the classroom community and to your own growth. Participation grades, which will be averaged from those assigned at the midpoint and end of the semester, will be given based on these requirements.

Weekly Readings, Discussions, and Reflection Journals (30%)
Students will be assigned reading selections or activities often followed by engagement in discussion/reflection with peers online or in person. As part of the necessary reflective components of an improvisational course, students will keep a journal for the duration of the semester. This journal will be used to take notes from class and assigned readings; draw, brainstorm, free write during reflective assignments, make objective and/or subjective observations; trial ideas relevant to coursework and record anecdotes, feelings, or findings from class. Writing prompts/activities are assigned via course schedule and are due to canvas throughout the semester. The instructor will be checking these entries for completion and to help guide the direction of the course. Considering this, students are encouraged to be as open, honest, explicit, or vulnerable as they are comfortable.

Group Projects (10%)
During Week 12, students will combine knowledge from the semester to build, share, and teach an improvisational score that deeply considers the key philosophies and figures shared in the course. More information and expectations will be given at a later date. See course schedule for planned due dates.

Course Outline

This is a studio based movement class. Each Class consists of the following:
1) Warming exercises specific to contact, weight sharing, and safe body mechanics
2) Partnering specific exercises between 2 or more people
3) Group and personal bodily awareness activities
The class progresses over time to address student specific success and challenges based on their level
and technical ability.
For specific units, please see assignments listed in the “course requirements” above.

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.