1. Identify and communicate strategies for advanced skills development through the creation of an informed personal action plan.
2. Apply a series of advanced dance methodologies and varied technical approaches to a
range of dance styles.
3. Critically reflect upon personal skills development and acquisition of new competencies across a range of disciplines in line with personal targets and industry standards.

All individually assessed.
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
1. Action Plan [L.O. 1]
Produce an initial action plan that outlines strategies for your practical skills development across a range of dance disciplines. Personal targets must demonstrate knowledge of relevant physiological and technical dance research and identify specific exercises for your personal skills development.
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENTS
1. Technical Class-based Assessments (60%) [L.O.2]
Demonstrate advanced dance skills in four assessed practical dance classes in contrasting styles.
2. Action plan & Technical Development Journal (40%) [L.O. 1 & 3]
Using your initial action plan to guide the content, create a reflective journal in a negotiated format, that provides insight into your progressive skills development in a range of dance performance styles. The journal must map against the personal targets and strategies identified within your action plan and be underpinned by research.

Throughout this Level 5 module, you will attend a series of practical dance classes led by staff and industry professionals in a broad range of styles including ballet, commercial, jazz, tap and contemporary. The classes will allow you to build upon your Level 4 studies, acquire new competencies within dance and further refine your dance knowledge and technical application. The module demands attendance of all practical classes and workshops, as well as engagement with personal research and analytical reflection. The module allows you to consider your personal practice within a dance-based training environment and encourages you to develop safe, healthy and informed approaches to reach your full potential as a dance performer.

You will explore in greater detail the technical expectations and stylistic presentation that is required for a versatile career in dance performance. You will further develop your own physicality through focused research into personal strengths, limitations and areas for development. You will underpin your practical understanding and development with targeted investigation into physiology, anatomy and safe-practice to create clear personal targets.

The key focus of the module is progressive skills development, throughout the academic year. Classes will be predominantly practical and supported with theoretical guidance on action planning and personal goal setting.

In order to develop technique, there will be repetition of technical exercises in a range of styles, further complexity in choreographic class-based content and extra demand of skills in pick up, precision and stylistic attention to detail. Ongoing reflective practice is an essential part of the module, and you will document your experience with particular focus on your own journey. This will allow you to work in a more autonomous manner, in line with the requirements within undergraduate study, whilst developing essential self-awareness as an industry practitioner.

The module content and teaching within the module will reflect Wilkes Academy standards around safe practice, wellbeing and consent. The content will be delivered in line with safeguarding and positive touch policies.

Hone your technical dance skills and expand your understanding, as you develop your skills and potential across a range of dance styles, in this self-focused, practical module.

Learning in this module will build upon skills from Level 4. You will learn through experiential engagement and skills-based application in a range of dance classes and workshops. You will consolidate this knowledge through focused reflection and enquiry. Your learning will be supported by formative feedback in class from both tutors and peers, as well as your own reflective practice and journalling.

Kinaesthetic, visual and sensory learning are embedded within the module and may include demonstration, hands-on corrections and studio-based exploration of physical exercises with teachers and/or visiting professionals from a range of dance industry contexts.

There will be a blend of digital learning through shared resources and online materials, as well as practical classes. Due to the requirement of a progressive increase for autonomous learning at Level 5 of study, it is also necessary to work independently and engage collaboratively with peers in regular discussion both inside and outside of timetabled classes.

Leaning activities will include a range of the following:
• Participation in regular dance classes in a range of styles,
• Engagement with guided and independent research tasks,
• Workshops with guest speakers and/or in house practitioners and tutors,
• Individual practice of class-based exercises and choreographic content,
• Safe application of a range of dance techniques,
• Reflective practice and target setting,
• Group discussion, peer review and target setting,
• Tutorials, group and peer reflection.

Akinleye, A. (Ed.) (2018) Narratives in Black British Dance: Embodied Practices. Palgrave Macmillan
Boffone, T. (2021) Renegades: Digital Dance Cultures from Dubsmash to TikTok. OUP: USA
Challis, J. (2023) Nutrition for Dance and Performance. Routledge.
Cottrell, S. (2017) Critical Thinking Skills Effective Analysis and Reflection. Third Edition. Palgrave.
Fogerty, M & Johnson, I. K. (2023) The Oxford Handbook of Hip Hop Studies. Oxford Handbooks.
Franklin, E. (2004) Conditioning for Dance: Human Kinetics
Guarino, L. et.al. (2022) Rooted Jazz Dance: Africanist Aesthetics and Equity in the Twenty-First Century
Haas, J. G. (2018) Dance Anatomy, 2nd Edition. Human Kinetics.
Henry, D. & Jenkins, P. (2019) The Essential Guide to Jazz Dance. The Crowood Press Ltd.
Hartley. D. (2018) The Essential Guide to Tap Dance: The Crowood Press Ltd.
Jackson, N. M. (2022) Dance and Ethics: Moving towards a more humane dance culture. Intellect: Bristol.
King. A (2019) The Dancer’s Study Guide: A Dance Guidebook of Dance History, health and fitness, performance lessons,
tips and advice: Faria Publishing
Legg. J (2011) Introduction to Modern Dance Technique: Princetown Book Company
Minden E. (2006) The Ballet Companion: A Dancers Guide to the Technique, Traditions, and Joys of Ballet: Simon &
Schuster Ltd
Moon, J. (2013) Reflection in Learning and Professional Development: Theory & Practice. Taylor & Francis.
Soon Burgess, D. T. (2022) Milestones in Dance History. Routledge.
Vereen B., & McWaters D. (2008) The Fosse Style: University Press of Florida
Ward Warren G., & Cook S. (1989) Classical Ballet Technique: University Press of Florida
Staffordshire University Online Resources:
Academic Skills Guides:
http://www.staffs.ac.uk/support_depts/infoservices/learning_support/academic_skills/
Harvard Referencing Guide:
http://www.staffs.ac.uk/support_depts/infoservices/learning_support/refzone/harvard/index.jsp

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