Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Dance Ensemble (Face-to-Face)

DANC 4300-01

Course: DANC 4300-01
Credits: 2
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Theatre, Dance, & Arts Admin
CRN: 30295

Course Description

 This course serves those students who have successfully auditioned for the Faculty Dance Concert and have been selected to perform in the Fall semester. Dance Faculty will choreograph a variety of works with the occasional contribution from a Guest Artist. Students are engaged with the material of the course from the audition process through to the strike of the performance.  
Enrollment by audition. Advanced study in ensemble performance. (Fall, Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Repeatable for Add’l Credit? Yes - Total Credits: 16 

Required Texts

Required Text(s)
There is no required text for 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.

References                                                                                               

Videos, articles, and other resources will be posted to Canvas and advanced notice will be given to the student to review the material prior to rehearsal if utilized. 

Learning Outcomes

Communication: 

  • Demonstrate a command for content in both physical and written work, whether it is in a kinesthetic, verbal, or visual experience. 
  • Become comfortable initiating movement improvisations as inspiration for the work and/or gain the ability to perform devised work set by the choreographer
Creative Thinking: 

  • Engage in the creative process by transforming the physical practice through exploration of anatomical and artistic components with the use of divergent thinking techniques. 
Integration of Learning: 

  • Demonstrate the ability to make connections between physical and cognitive experiences both as an individual and collectively
  • Converge written, verbal, and physical content to the discipline presented 
Lifelong Learning: 

  • Demonstrate self-sufficiency in learning to engage in purposeful, ongoing learning, and application of  artistic and scientific concepts to new and existing movement forms. 
Problem Solving: 

  • Formulate, analyze, and implement strategies to improve movement and performance through application of concepts and techniques while honoring sound anatomical alignment 
Teamwork: 

  • Demonstrate productive and positive interactions with others (in or out of class) to complete assignments, tasks, or projects. This includes members of the cast, creatives, company, and technical crew. 

Course Requirements

The following grading standards will be used in this class:

  • All assignments must be submitted in order to pass the course
  • Students must receive a C or higher for it to count towards their major/minor requirement
  • Remember to review the attendance policy with respect to final grades

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

Late Work will not be accepted.

Attendance Policy

Audition Policy:

Students interested in being cast in the Faculty Dance Concert must complete the dance production audition form. In rare instances, a video submission is possible but must be cleared with the Associate Chair, Director of the Dance program. 

Students CANNOT be considered for casting:

  • If they have not filled out the Technical Production Experience (TPE) form
  • If they are considered “not in good standing” as per the TDAA Student Handbook

Mandatory Attendance

Mandatory attendance (both primary and understudy roles) is required at all rehearsals, tech times, and performances. In the event of an unexpected absence from a rehearsal, the student must promptly e-mail your instructor and choreographer. No arrangements to scheduling will be made to accommodate outside auditions, work commitments, or free-lance opportunities. Choreographers may schedule certain dancers on certain days however this is at the discretion of the choreographer and will be communicated in advance to avoid confusion.

Tardiness

If a student arrives to rehearsal more than 5 minutes late, they will observe and complete an observation form to be handed in to the instructor at the end of class. Three instances of tardiness to a rehearsal will be counted as one unexcused absence and applied to the attendance grading policy.

Observation

If a student is unable to participate in a rehearsal due to an injury or otherwise, students are allowed to sit out and observe with approval from the instructor. They will fill out a hard copy observation form to be handed in to the instructor at the end of rehearsal (found in each dance studio’s sound cabinet). Note in rehearsals choreographers may give an alternate assignment to students sitting out so as to assist with the process. Students exceeding three observations will meet with the instructor to develop a plan moving forward.

Religious Holidays and Class Attendance Policy 

SUU TDAA recognizes the importance of religious expression in the lives of our community and therefore students may plan to make up course work missed for religious holidays. Students will be allowed to complete required assignments after returning and religious holidays will NOT count toward the total of excused absences allowed in each class. 


Course Fees

Content for this section will be provided by the instructor.

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.