Dance Education and Community Practice Foundation Degree

Year 1

The programme consists of 11 modules studied over two years, which has been designed to be purposefully broad to develop your skills and knowledge in order to embark on a freelance career. Through the study of modules in teaching and leading dance you will learn how to plan, prepare and deliver high quality and informed teaching and to reflect on and develop it for a range of settings. Module content includes: understanding the educational landscape; curriculum design; the study of legislation; equal opportunities; safeguarding; risk assessment and self-management. Specifically you will examine the role of the artist, teacher and leader in community dance and experience delivering sessions with early years, to those with physical and learning disabilities, and the elderly.

Through the study of applied anatomy and safe practice in year one you will develop knowledge of basic anatomy and physiology; psychological and emotional well being in dance; nutrition; injury prevention and basic first aid. Knowledge acquired through this module will also form the basis of skills required for the level 5 module dance and fitness instruction focusing on the health and fitness sector and the skills required to deliver sessions including aerobics, body conditioning, legs, bum and tums.

Essential to working in dance is the continued study of technical classes, where you will continue to improve and practise your technique and performance of contemporary, jazz and street styles as well as experience social dance and cultural dance forms. Understanding how to craft dances and develop skills in composition will be achieved through the study of group and individual choreographic projects in both years.

Understanding the historical and social influences on dance is essential for delivering dance in education. Students will develop a broader understanding of genres and undertake research into a chosen area of interest with the emphasis of good academic practice.

Year one modules:
Preparing to Teach Dance
Community Dance Practice
Applied Anatomy and Safe Practice
Dance Techniques
Improvisation into Choreography
Contextual Studies

In year two, you will continue to develop technical, choreographic and performance skills as well as develop new skills in leading dance and fitness instruction. The exciting Dance Company module allows you to work with visiting choreographers to make exciting new interactive and participatory performances for educational and community settings and to take the work on tour as well as perform within our own city centre professional theatre. You are also able to individually lead and develop your own choreographic work leading to public performance within our annual HE Arts Festival at the Sue Townsend Theatre.

Work placement forms an essential part of your second year experience, where you are able to connect with formal and recreational settings as part of the Applied Teaching Practice module at level 5.

Year two modules:
Applied Teaching Practice
Dance and Fitness Instruction
Dance Company
Contemporary Dance 2
Choreographic Performance Project