Methods of Modern and Contemporary Dance (H0N0039B)

Specializace studijního programu Dance Pedagogy

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Profil absolventa

Graduates of the Master’s programme in Dance Pedagogy have acquired the skills of methodological and didactic thinking as well as a comprehensive understanding of movement supported by anatomical knowledge of the human body. They have also developed creative skills based on a deepening of their practical dance experience and theoretical knowledge in the selected area of focus. The student is able to competently teach specialised dance techniques and repertoire according to the chosen study plan for different age groups and at all levels of expertise of the dance performer. He/she is able to perceive the role of the dance teacher not only in terms of narrowly professional dance teaching, but also in terms of pedagogical psychology and to be aware of the responsibility for the overall development of the dance performer. He/she must be able to define goals and choose methods and procedures. The basic values in teaching should be above all - the ability to motivate, communication skills, empathy, respect and trust, openness, a positive attitude, constant self-development, seeking new ways and approaches, and selfreflection. The graduate strengthens their conviction of the effectiveness of pedagogical action in accordance with values and in terms of the principles of communication in a democratic society. Programme graduates possess broad knowledge of the history, theory, concepts and methods of the art of dance and the selected field, and they know how to apply this knowledge in artistic/creative dance practice. They know how to seek out, classify and interpret information or sources of inspiration relevant for addressing a specific problem or for creating an artistic rendition on an assigned topic. They know how to use dance terminology and the basic technology of the given field, and how to secure the execution of a public artistic performance organisationally and with respect to copyright and technical considerations at a level appropriate for the field. They are able, within their field and according to the general assignment and allocated resources, to coordinate the activities of a creative team in the production of an artistic work of a smaller scale and simpler nature, and to be responsible for its results. They are able to take into consideration the ethical dimensions that may be involved in addressing certain problems. They are able to communicate information concerning the nature of specialist issues in the area of dance and non-verbal theatre, as well as their own opinions on how to address such issues, to experts and laymen alike and in a comprehensible and convincing manner. They are able to transact within the scope of their specialist knowledge and skills in at least one foreign language. They are able to independently acquire additional specialist knowledge, skills and competencies, mainly based on their practical experience but also by independently studying the theoretical findings of the field.

Specializace: Methods of Modern and Contemporary Dance

The student is able to competently teach dance techniques and repertoire of Modern and Contemporary dance to different age groups and at all levels of expertise of the dance performer.

Obecné informace o přijímacím řízení

The entrance examination consists of an interview on professional issues, dance technique exercise analysis, the focus of the candidate's Master’s studies, and the abstract of the intended thesis in the chosen specific curriculum. There is a fee for studying in English. The amount of tuition fees for each study programme, including specialisations, is set by the Dean's Decree, which is published in the relevant section of the faculty website in English. The conditions of the admission procedure, including the determination of the method of scoring and its range, are regulated for each academic year by the relevant decree of the Dean, which is subject to approval by the Academic Senate of the Faculty.

The entrance examination consists of an interview on professional issues, the focus of the candidate's Master’s studies, and an abstract of the intended thesis. The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of the context of the field in dance pedagogy, knowledge of pedagogical methods of teaching modern and contemporary dance at a Bachelor degree level, orientation in educational systems, dance institutions and prominent personalities. The candidate submits two pre-prepared exemple exercise combinations of modern or contemporary dance with methodological analysis. They also submit their Bachelor’s thesis. The committee evaluates the candidate with a cumulative grade, which includes an assessment of knowledge of modern and contemporary dance technique, pedagogical talent and interest in the field best documented by teaching experience, knowledge of music theory, an overview of dance and ballet history, their general cultural overview, and stage experience, all at least at the level of a graduate of the Bachelor's degree cycle. The conditions of the admission procedure, including the determination of the method of scoring and its range, are regulated for each academic year by the relevant decree of the Dean, which is subject to approval by the Academic Senate of the Faculty.

Součásti státní závěrečné zkoušky a jejich obsah

The state final examination consists of two sections 1) Graduate artistic performance – pedagogical output: teaching performance of a 90-minute lesson in a given specialisation. 2) Master‘s thesis of min. 40 standard pages The Oral section of the state final examination consists of three parts 1) Oral defence of the Graduate artistic performance - pedagogical output of the given specialisation 2) Oral defence of the Master’s thesis 3) Theoretical oral examination a. Didactics and methodology of the given specialisation b. Pedagogy (subject of the profiling basis: Pedagogy)

The state final examination consists of two sections: 1) Graduate artistic performance - pedagogical output: teaching performance of a 90-minute lesson on a given topic. (subjects of profiling basis: Didactics and Methodology for Modern and Contemporary Dance, Pedagogical Seminar for Modern and Contemporary Dance) 2) Master‘s thesis of min. 40 standard pages Oral section of the state final examination consists of three parts: 1) Oral defence of the Graduate artistic performance - pedagogical output of the given specialisation 2) Oral defence of the Master’s thesis 3) Theoretical oral examination a. : Didactics and Methodology for Modern and Contemporary dance (subjects of profiling basis: : Didactics and Methodology for Modern and Contemporary dance, Pedagogical Seminar for Modern and Contemporary dance, Didactics of Dance Education, Dance in Europe after 1945) b. Pedagogy (subject of the profiling basis: Pedagogy) Thematic areas of the Theoretical oral examination Didactics and Methodology for Modern and Contemporary dance: the influence of postmodern thinking on the emergence and development of contemporary dance. The transformation of the concept of corporeality in the 20th century. Alignment and dynamic alignment. (Functionality and aesthetics. Postural habits. Effective and ineffective tensions in the body.) The concept of the vertex-skeleton connection and its application in movement. (The idea of the central axis of the body as a tool to explain the principles of movement. The three weight units.) Incorporation of imagery and different types of visualisation in teaching. The centre of the body as a support for the stability of the body. The connection between the centre and the periphery. Mechanism of breathing. Muscular and skeletal structure of the upper limb. (Reversed body positions, their inspirational sources, basic movement principles and preparatory exercises.) Gravity from the biomechanical point of view. (The central centre of gravity and the centre of gravity of individual body structures and their movement in space.) Stability and mobility of the lower limbs. Use of creative methods in teaching different ages and dance levels. Creativity in pedagogical practice. The nervous system as an organiser of movement. Methods of dance movement analysis. Research-type dance lessons. Basic principles of floor work, its use in training practice and choreography. Improvisation in contemporary dance: means of teaching, type of lesson (lesson structure, topics), method of creation, type of performance. The relationship between inner and outer space. Space in R. Laban and W. Forsyth. Different possibilities and practices in the use of external space in dance lessons.) Contact improvisation (the main features, its principles and forms of presentation, the influence of contact improvisation on the creation of partner dance.) Partner dance as a dialogue of bodies. Basic didactic and methodological principles of partner dance technique and examples of preparatory exercises. Artistic partnership and the gender question of modern and contemporary dance choreographers. Key aspects in dance pedagogy of the 21st century. Aesthetics and work of modern and contemporary choreographers in the repertoire of major ballet companies. The body as an instrument and its care by performer and teacher. Educating teachers, their motivation and defence against burnout. Issues of second career dancers. Structure of formal and informal education in the Czech Republic. Issues of Czech dance education after 1945 to the present. Different concepts of dance schools in Europe and beyond. Dance festivals as a source of information and organisation. Pedagogy: definition of the concept of pedagogy and its position in the system of sciences. Basic sources of information and knowledge in pedagogy. Basic problems of terminology of pedagogy. Problems of professional discourse in pedagogy in the Czech and international context. Key terms of pedagogical science and their relations (personal formation, education, learning, knowledge, problems of study and translation of foreign texts). Definition of professional terms education, educational reality, educational processes, educational environment. Definition of the basic pedagogical disciplines in their interrelations and their potential for pedagogical practice. Definition of borderline pedagogical disciplines in their relations to basic pedagogical disciplines and their potential for pedagogical practice. Ethics in education. The development of pedagogy in the period from the earliest evidence of education to antiquity (key figures and their pedagogical ideas in relation to today). The development of pedagogy in the medieval period (comparison with the present). The contribution and legacy of the pedagogical work of J. A. Comenius. The development of pedagogy in the Enlightenment, the 19th century, the main pedagogical trends of the 20th century. Specifics of „classical“ alternative pedagogical trends (Montessori pedagogy, Rudolf Steiner's educational system, Célestin Freinet's concept, forest/nature schools, Dalton schools, Jena plan) Czech educational system in comparison with the educational system of other countries. the legal framework of education.