DNCE 206: Intermediate Tap Dance
Prerequisites: Permission of the Instructor
Credit Hours: (2) Three to Four-and-a-half hours technique.
A course in Intermediate level tap dance technique, including weight change, exploration of rhythm, intermediate tap dance vocabulary, assembling longer tap dance combinations, and a module on tap dance improvisation. Content will also include exposure to the history of tap dance through assigned readings and video observation.
Note(s): May be taken multiple times for credit.
Detailed Description of Course
1) Tap dance foot movements at the Intermediate Level
• Slurp, scrape, wings, pullbacks, shuffle pullback, trestles, etc.
2) Intermediate tap dance step vocabulary
• Traveling time steps, double/triple time steps, tap turns
• Single wings, alternating wings, alternating pullbacks, squiggles, riffles, etc.
3) Analysis
• Daily critique by instructor
• Periodic demonstrations of ability by students, graded by the instructor
• Student self-critique by watching videotaped dance class combinations
4) Enrichment
• Assigned readings on tap dance history
• Viewings of online tap dancers
• Attendance at RU performances that would include tap dancing.
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
Course work is presented in a typical dance class fashion – introduction of intermediate level foot movements, stronger challenges in weight change, repetition to become familiar with movements, and then assembling the foot movements/weight changes into the intermediate tap dance steps to create longer tap combinations, etc. At the intermediate level, students will also be introduced to improvisation in tap dance – creating sounds/rhythms spontaneously in response to musical stimulus, or even acapella. Students will also complete assigned readings on tap dance history, and viewing of videos online and in our library.
Student Goals and Objectives of the Course
At the conclusion of the course the student should have acquired skills in:
• Intermediate tap dance foot movements
• Intermediate tap dance movement vocabulary
• Tap dance turns – flap, flap heel, cramp roll, etc.
• Ability to learn and execute intermediate level tap dance combinations
• Perform beginning tap dance combinations with confidence and authority
• Attain a basic level of tap dance improvisation, by “trading 8’s” and other improvisation games
• Have a knowledge of the history of tap dance at an intermediate level
Assessment Measures
Assessment measures may include:
• Daily observation of students in dance classes
• Periodic “quizzes” in short tap dance combinations
• Class discussion
• Attendance
• Mid Term and Final Exam of acquired tap dance skills
• Written Final Exam of tap dance history and important figures in tap dance
Other Course Information
“Knowles, Mark. The Tap Dancing Dictionary. Jefferson, NC. McFarland, c1998.
“Frank, Rusty E. Tap! The Greatest Tap Dance Stars and Their Stories, 1900-1955. New York, De Capo Press, c1994.”
“Feldman, Anita. Inside Tap: Technique and Improvisation for Today’s Tap Dancer. Pennington, NJ. Princeton Book Company. C1996”
Review and Approval
February 13, 2017
June 20, 2015
April 16, 2012
March 01, 2021