Dance 181 Course Outline
Country Western Social Dance, Beginning
Course Information & Policies
Course Overview
Prerequisite: None. This is a beginning-level course in country western social dance. Open to all students.
Mission Alignment: This course supports BYU’s mission to educate students spiritually, intellectually, physically, aesthetically, artistically, and emotionally.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will have developed foundational technical skills at a beginning level in the dances taught (Texas Two-Step, Cowboy Cha Cha, Polka, Country Swing, Cotton-Eyed Joe, Line Dances), including the ability to:
- Maintain correct posture and dance position
- Demonstrate accuracy in timing and rhythm
- Use the feet with proper placement, rise and fall, and articulation
- Transfer weight clearly and fully support balance, control, and movement flow.
- Apply partnering skills, including maintaining frame, leading, and following.
Learning Activities
- Participation: Engage professionally in class exercises and replicate demonstrated techniques.
- Dance Party: Attend one or both of the social dance parties.
- Reflection Paper: Write a reflection paper on the competition or concert.
Dress Policy
- Students must follow BYU Dress & Grooming Standards.
- Dance Shoes are not required at this level, but supportive footwear suitable for movement is strongly recommended (No bare feet or stocking feet).
Attendance Policy
- A minimum of 80% attendance is required to pass the course.
- Exceeding 20% absences will result in automatic failure.
- Up to 3 unexcused absences are permitted; each additional unexcused absence will result in a 1/3 letter grade deduction.
Dates to Remember
- September 3 | Ballroom Dance Company Auditions
- September 21 | Practice Labs Begin (held weekly 3-4:30 PM – WSC Ballroom)
- September 23-26 | World of Dance
- October 29 | Social Dance Lab
- November 13-14 | BYU Dancesport Championships
- November 19 | Medals Exams (180)
- December 1 | Medals Exams (280, 380, 480)
- December 2 | Social Dance Lab
- December 3 | Country Dance Lab
Consent to Touch and Partner Rotation
Ballroom dance requires appropriate physical contact to ensure correct execution, technique development, and safety. At times this includes light torso-to-torso contact as well as contact through hands, arms, shoulders, and back. The course also includes regular partner rotation. Students who have concerns should speak privately with the instructor.
Social Dance Club
BYU Social Dance Club is open to all BYU students and plans to meet weekly. For more info, contact them at byusocialdanceclub@gmail.com or get updates on the BYU Social Dance Club facebook.
Grading Breakdown
| Grading | 420 points |
|---|---|
| Practical Exam #1 | 100 points |
| Practical Exam #2 | 100 points |
| Practical Exam #3 | 100 points |
| Final Exam | 100 points |
| Competition or Concert Reflection Paper | 10 points |
| Country Dance Party Attendance | 10 points |
| Extra Credit as Determined by Instructor |
| Grading Scale | |
|---|---|
| 391-420 = A | 307-322 = C |
| 378-390 = A- | 294-306 = C- |
| 365-377 = B+ | 281-293 = D+ |
| 349-364 = B | 268-280 = D |
| 336-348 = B- | 255-267 = D- |
| 323-335 = C+ | 254 & Below = E |
Department Policies
Department of Dance Attendance Policy
The department, in consultation with the University Accessibility Center (UAC), has carefully considered the role of attendance in certain courses. It has been determined that, for some classes, regular attendance constitutes an essential component of the learning process and cannot be substituted without compromising the pedagogical or accreditation standards of the program.
The department remains committed to supporting students with documented disabilities, including those whose conditions may involve episodic or unpredictable flare-ups. However, in the courses where attendance is identified as an essential requirement, the accommodation of flexible attendance may not be feasible.
Therefore, the attendance policy outlined in the course syllabus will be applied as written. Students who wish to request consideration for individual circumstances are encouraged to consult with your UAC coordinator promptly to discuss possible options. The attendance provisions described in the syllabus will remain available to all.
Student Assumption of Risk
I acknowledge and assume all inherent risks associated with participation in this class. These risks may include, but are not limited to: injuries or death resulting from dance movements, injuries from collisions with other participants, objects, or equipment, blows to the body, face, or head, exhaustion, dehydration, physical or emotional distress, injuries from misuse, failure, or malfunction of equipment, damage to clothing or personal items, risks arising from the actions or inattention of myself or others, and other hazards, whether foreseen or unforeseeable.
