THTR 1131

BEGINNING BALLET
COURSE SYLLABUS
FALL 2016

CLASS HOURS: 9:30-10:50, MONDAY and WEDNESDAY

CLASSROOM: Music and Dramatic Arts Building, Room 123 A

INSTRUCTOR: SUSAN PERLIS

E-MAIL ADDRESS: sperli1@lsu.edu
OFFICE: Music and Dramatic Arts Building, Room 318
OFFICE HOURS: M/W 11:00 -11:45, T/Th 10:00 12:00, or by appointment

DESCRIPTION
This is a traditional introductory level ballet technique course. The concepts that govern ballet,
as well as the history and basic anatomy of ballet, will be integrated into the instruction. This
course is appropriate for beginning dancers as well as more experienced dancers who wish to
maintain fitness, broaden understanding, and hone technique.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
- To introduce students to the fundamentals of ballet and its performance.
- To increase fitness, flexibility, and agility.
- To engender an appreciation of the aesthetic and historical aspects of ballet.

COURSE TOPICS
Topics to be covered are listed in the hand-out Beginning Ballet Vocabulary.

TEXT
Technical Manual and Dictionary of Classical Ballet, by Gail Grant

EXPECTATIONS
This is a lab course. Homework is primarily restricted to the study of ballet concepts and
vocabulary introduced in class. Each class will consist of barre and centre work. Daily
participation is the most important component of this course, and dancers should plan
to attend every class.
LSUs general policy states that for each credit hour, you (the student) should plan to spend at
least two hours working on course related activities outside of class. Since this course is for one
credit hour/3 hour LAB, all of your work should be completed in class. For more information
see: http://catalog.lsu.edu/content.php?catoid=12&navoid=822.
 COURSE TOPICS
Topics to be covered are listed in the hand-out Intermediate Ballet Vocabulary. A general
outline of topics:
Week 1:
Week 2:
Week 3:
Week 4: Review (Vocabulary Exam 1)
Week 5:
Week 6: (Technical Assessment)
Week 7:
Week 8:
Week 9: Review (Vocabulary Exam 2)
Week 10:
Week 11: (Technical Assessment)
Week 12: Master Class
Week 13: Master Class
Week 14: Review (Final Exam)

GRADES POINTS
Participation 448
Technical Improvement 100
Dance Concert Attendance 100
Vocabulary Exams 200
Final Exam 152

TOTAL POINTS 1,000

Grades will be assigned as follows:

A+ = 97 100 %
A = 96 93 %
A - = 90 92 %
B+ = 87 89 %
B = 83 86 %
B - = 80 82 %
C+ = 77 79 %
C = 73 76 %
C - = 70 72 %
D+ = 67 69 %
D = 63 66 %
D - = 60 62 %
F = 59 % and below
 ATTENDANCE
Students are required to attend class. Late arrivals, early departures, non-participation will
count as a tardy. Two tardy marks will equal one unexcused absence for the semester.
Unexcused absences cannot be made up in any way.

Excused absences are given only under extenuating circumstances including serious illness with
a doctors note (not from student health center), serious family emergency (immediate family),
legal obligation, military obligation, and any university approved group absences. These
absences must be requested in advance whenever possible, require documentation, and must
be made up in a way determined by the course instructor.

PARTICIPATION
If you are injured and cannot dance on a given day you may receive one-half participation credit
by watching class and submitting notes at the end of the period. Any injury which extends more
than three days may require dropping the course. All injuries should be discussed with the
instructor prior to class.

ATTIRE
Proper attire must be worn to receive full participation credit. Women should wear a black
leotard, pink tights, and pink ballet slippers with elastics to all classes. Men should wear black
tights (with dance belt), white t-shirt, and black or white ballet shoes. No street clothes or non-
dance attire will be allowed. No jewelry in class. Hair must be secured off the face and neck.
Failure to dress out appropriately will result in a five point reduction of participation credit.

CLASS ETIQUETTE
No chewing gum, food, or drinks -other than bottled water- are allowed in the studio. All cell
phones and noise-making devices must be turned off during class.

TECHNIQUE IMPROVEMENT
Students improvement will be evaluated twice during the semester. This will be accomplished
through observance of a standard technique class.

QUIZZES
Written quizzes will cover ballet vocabulary, identification, and translations.

FINAL EXAM
The final exam will be a written test covering material from the entire semester. The exam will
be given on the last day of regular class.

DANCE CONCERT ATTENDANCE

Students must attend one instructor-approved dance concert. Bring the ticket stub and program to
class in order to receive credit for attendance.
 Fall 2016 Dance Performances

Santa Fe/Aspen Ballet

Manship Theatre, Baton Rouge
Sunday, September 11, 2:00 pm

Grupo Corpo from Brazil

Mahalia Jackson Theatre, NOLA
Saturday, October 15, 8:00 pm

The Four Seasons: Of Moving Colors

Manship Theatre
Saturday, October 21

Lehrer Dance
River Center Theatre, Baton Rouge
Sunday, October 30, 7:00 pm

CKA
Old Bogan Fire Station, Baton Rouge

QUIZZES
Written quizzes will cover ballet vocabulary, identification, and translations.

FINAL EXAM
The final exam will be a written test covering material from the entire semester. The exam will
be given on the last day of regular class.

LSU STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT

The LSU student code of conduct explains student rights, excused absences, and what is expected
of student behavior. Students are expected to understand this code as described here:
http://students.lsu.edu/saa/students/code. Any violations of the LSU student code will be duly
reported to the Dean of Students.

DISABILITIES
Louisiana State University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all persons
with disabilities. The syllabus is available in alternate formats upon request.
If you have a disability that may have some impact on your work in this class and for which you
may require accommodations, please see a staff member in Disability Services so that such
accommodations can be considered. Students that receive accommodation letters, please meet
with me to discuss the provisions of those as soon as possible.