IB Group 6 · The Arts

Dance

2013 syllabus · First examinations 2013

A practical arts course in three components: composition and analysis, world dance studies and performance. This is a compact, focus-oriented set of notes: what each task is, how it is assessed, and what to focus on to do well, with the HL depth clearly split.

0. How the course works

Dance is expressive movement with intent, studied through three integrated components: composing, investigating world dance, and performing. Start here for the components, the assessment and how SL and HL differ.

OVERVIEW — Nature and aims

DN_AB_1 · What Dance is — Expressive movement with intent, purpose and structure; dance as ritual, art, social discourse and education; a holistic course integrating creative, performance and analytical skills.
DN_AB_2 · Aims and assessment objectives — The group 6 (arts) and dance-specific aims, and the four assessment objectives (knowledge/understanding, application/analysis, synthesis/evaluation, and, at HL, added objectives).

STRUCTURE — Structure and assessment

DN_AB_3 · The three components — Composition and analysis, world dance studies and performance: what each develops, their teaching hours, and how the creative, analytical and performance strands connect.
DN_AB_4 · Assessment at a glance — The three tasks and their weightings: composition and analysis plus the dance investigation (external), and performance (internal), with the SL and HL differences.

F. The three components: what to focus on

For each component: what the task is, how it is assessed, and, most importantly, what to focus your energy on to do well. HL depth is flagged where it applies.

COMP — Composition and analysis

DN_C_1 · The task and what to focus on — Compose dances and write an analytical statement on the process. What to focus on: clear intention, compositional craft and devices, how form, content and function interrelate, and honest critical reflection.

WORLD — World dance studies

DN_W_1 · The task and what to focus on — A written dance investigation comparing two dance styles from different cultures, one familiar and one unfamiliar. What to focus on: historical and current context, dance elements, real similarities and differences, and well-cited sources.

PERF — Performance

DN_P_1 · The task and what to focus on — Perform one or two dances with programme notes. What to focus on: technical skills (strength, control, spatial awareness, rhythm) and performance skills (focus, projection, phrasing, stylistic integrity, expression).

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