The latvian academy of culture

The Name of the Course: Tap Dancing

The Scope of the Course: 32 hours. 2 credit points.

Type of Assessment – a study.

XII.The Author of the Course: Lecturer Brigita Gulbe

The Content of the Course: The objective of the course is to introduce students to tap dancing. The students will get acquainted with the history and fundamentals of tap dancing. After having acquired the course the students will be able to apply the knowledge in their artistic work by creating their own choreographies.
Preconditions for the Acquisition of the Course: General training in movement and dance.
Thematic Planning:

Themes	Week	Type of classes and hours
An insight into the history of tap dancing, the most famous tap dancers in the world. The introduction of tap dancing in Latvia.	1	P2; P2
The construction of the tap dancing shoes, the necessary preconditions.	2	P2; P2
The position of the body during the dance, the work of hands, the position of feet.	3	P2; P2
The key principles of the work of legs.	4	P2; P2
The acquisition of the basic steps of tap dancing.	5	P2; P2
The warm-up exercises for feet.	6	P2; P2
Tap dancing moving in place and moving in space.	7	P2; P2
The change of levels: stairs, special platforms.	8	P2; P2
Acrobatic elements applied in tap dancing.	9	P2; P2
The possible movements with a stick and a hat.	10	P2; P2
Tap dancing 2/4 and 3/4.	11	P2; P2
Tap dance as an addition to music.	12	P2; P2
The different features of “chichotka” and tap dancing.	13	P2; P2
An insight into the Irish tap dancing.	14	P2; P2
The preparation of a study in tap dancing.	15	P2; P2
The analysis of studies in tap dancing.	16	P2; P2

Preconditions for the Acquisition of the Credit Points:

XIII.To perform a study successfully.

XIV.Literature:

1.Franclin, E. Dance Imagery for Technique and Performance, NY, 1996

2.Olsew A. Body Stories, NY

The Name of the Course: Acrobatics

The Scope of the Course: 1 term. 32 hours. 2 credit points.

Type of Assessment – an examination at the end of the course.

XV.The Author of the Course: Lecturer Olga Žitluhina, MA

The Content of the Course: The objective of the course is to introduce students to the application of the elements of acrobatics in modern dance. The course focuses on the acquisition of the key elements of acrobatics, their explanation, demonstration and performance.
Preconditions for the Acquisition of the Course: General training in movement and dance.
Thematic Planning:

THEMES	Week	Type of classes and hours
An introduction. A discussion about the role of acrobatics in modern dance.	1	P2
Training. A somersault forward from various start positions.	2	P2
All types of somersaults backwards.	3	P2
Rolling over. Rising from one’s head and the scapulas.	4	P2
Training. Headstand, the pose on the scapulas and the pose on one’s arms.	5	P2
The pose on both hands, the pose on one hand	6	P2
A fling to the side, a cartwheel, handstand with a turn.	7	P2
The polishing of the acquired material. A test.	8	P2
Bending backwards on one’s hands, a bridge, rising from the bridge.	9	P2
The pose on one’s hands, landing in the position of the bridge, rising.	10	P2
A slow fling forwards, with one leg, with both legs, the placement of the hands.	11	P2
Turns in the pose on one’s hands from various key positions.	12	P2
A slow fling backwards from the sitting key position.	13	P2
A tempo fling forwards, flack.	14	P2
A fling forwards.	15	P2
A fling backwards straight and grouped.	16	P2

Preconditions for the Acquisition of the Credit Points:

XVI.A test in the middle of the term and the examination at the end of the term.

XVII.Literature: