Dance 241 - Scientific Foundations/Dance I

An introduction to kinesiology with specific applications to dance. We will attend to fundamental principles of human anatomy, biomechanics, motor development, and motor learning. We will establish a working lexicon for articulating musculoskeletal structures involved in simple action sequences. We will define motor learning theories and discuss motor development trajectories, along with illustrations of their dance-specific applications from the scientific literature. Labs will focus on acquiring skill in administering motor development assessments and functional tests. This course establishes the theoretical and practical groundwork required for further study of cardiopulmonary and neuromuscular systems and tests, particularly in the context of dance training and performance evaluation (see: Scientific Foundations of Dance II). (Gen. Ed. BS)