Diploma in Performing Arts in Dance

Purpose

This qualification provides qualifying learners with the underlying of performing arts knowledge, skills and values in order to become competent and professional practitioners of dance and the performing arts and be employed or self-employed within the dance industry.

Learners will be able to

• Apply entrepreneurial and management skills in order to function as a professional dance practitioner.
• Conduct formal and stylistic analysis of dance works.
• Display a fundamental understanding of the effects that historical, socio-political and cultural forces have had on contemporary dance.
• Apply advanced dance techniques, as well as the theory of dance, which are appropriate to follow a career within the Dance.

Rationale

The rationale of this qualification is to produce competent, professional performing artists who contribute to the South African Performing Arts industry. It will equip qualifying learners with competencies in the performing arts in order to work successfully as dancers, choreographers, composers, directors, producers, teachers and writers.

The qualification aims to produce artists who are versatile, disciplined and professional in their approach to their work and who have a sound knowledge of the technical and artistic requirements of performance.

Arts and culture are fundamental to human society. Artists reflect the strength and weaknesses of our society and are powerful instruments for creating change. The institution fulfils a significant role by providing the competencies necessary to ensure employment in the performing arts and to encourage qualified learners to manage their own careers in ways so as to generate employment and to invigorate the performing arts in South Africa.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

This qualification can be achieved in part, through Recognition of Prior Learning. Evidence can be presented in a variety of forms, including previous international or local qualifications, reports, testimonials, mentoring, functions performed, portfolios, work records and performance records. As such, evidence should be judged according to the general principles of assessment.

Should equivalent competencies be demonstrated, learners may be advanced into a second or later year of study.

Entry Requirements

For students who are school leavers in 2008 and later

A potential student must

• Senior Certificate (SC) without endorsement.

Or

• A National Senior Certificate granting access to diploma studies.

Or

• A National Certificate (Vocational).

Or

• A Higher Certificate in a cognate field of study.

Or

• An Advanced Certificate in a cognate field of study.

This qualification comprises 30 compulsory modules at NQF Levels 5, 6 and 7, totalling 380 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at NQF Level 5

• Academic Literacy, 5 Credits.
• Business Communication, 10 Credits.
• Entrepreneurship, 10 Credits.
• Music Studies 1, 10 Credits.
• Dance Styles 1, 20 Credits.
• Dance Techniques 1, 20 Credits.
• Dance Teaching 1, 10 Credits.
• Creative and Artistic Direction 1, 5 Credits.
• Anatomy, 10 Credits.
• Art History 1, 10 Credits.
• Musical Theatre Studies 1, 10 Credits.

Total Credits for NQF Level 5: 120.

Compulsory Modules at NQF Level 6

• Arts Administration, 10 Credits.
• Stagecraft, 10 Credits.
• Music Studies 2, 10 Credits.
• Music Studies 3, 10 Credits.
• Dance Styles 2, 20 Credits.
• Dance Techniques 2, 20 Credits.
• Dance Teaching 2, 20 Credits.
• Creative and Artistic Direction 2, 10 Credits.
• Creative and Artistic Direction 3, 10 Credits.
• Art History 2, 10 Credits.
• Art History 3, 10 Credits.
• Musical Theatre Studies 2, 10 Credits.
• Musical Theatre Studies 3, 10 Credits.
• Performance 2, 10 Credits.

Total Credits for NQF Level 6: 170.

Compulsory Modules at NQF Level 7

• Dance Styles 3, 20 Credits.
• Dance Techniques 3, 20 Credits.
• Dance Teaching 3, 20 Credits.
• Performance 3, 20 Credits.
• Work Integrated Learning, 10 Credits.

Total Credits for NQF Level 7: 90.

1. Applying entrepreneurial and management skills in order to function as a professional dance practitioner.
2. Display a fundamental understanding of the effects that historical, socio-political and cultural forces have had on contemporary dance.
3. Apply advanced dance techniques, as well as the theory of dance, which are appropriate to follow in a career within the Dance.
4. Facilitate dance instruction for groups and individuals in more than one dance genre.
5. Show an appreciation of music, the theory of music, music in the world of sound, the voice and the orchestral instruments.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• A broad range of business communication knowledge and skills are gained.
• In a relevant business situation is clearly and appropriately communicated.
• The principles of written, verbal and nonverbal business communication techniques are applied in a relevant business situation.
• The general background to the field of business management, including the environment in which an enterprise functions is understood.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• The "style" of each successive period of artistic evolution in Western Civilisation from the Renaissance to the present day is recognised.
• How the arts in each period or society reflect the values of that period or society is understood.
• Present day artistic endeavours are understood as the result of an interlinking chain of evolutionary events stretching back to the dawn of mankind.
• The origins and evolution of the art of painting, sculpture, architecture and theatre from Pre-History to The Middle Ages is described.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• The practical application of all dance Styles as explored and learnt is demonstrated.
• The correct posture and basic techniques as required from each Dance Form is applied.
• The construction and vocabulary of the all dance style are correctly executed as per expectations of the global dance industry.
• All Styles are performed with precision and particular reference to postural control and body basics.
• An understanding of the principles surrounding each of the techniques is demonstrated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Basic teaching methodology is understood and applied.
• Aspects of Posture, Transference of Weight, Rotation (Turn out) and Body Basics along with an introduction to teaching methodology are taught at junior level to the learners.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Dance composition is analysed and the key, the metre, certain notes, intervals, chords, and all musical indications in the given composition are identified.
• The properties of sound and music in the world are discussed.
• The different voice types and instrumental groups are identified.
• The orchestral lay-out and divisions are described.
• The classical orchestra and contemporary instruments and to which section they belong are discussed.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment is recognised as an integral part of the teaching and learning process, and should have a high priority, equal to that of teaching.

Assessment is to be integrated into the teaching and learning process according to the principles of good assessment. Assessment will be a combination of formative and summative assessment, the precise nature of the combination depending on the nature of the module.

Assessment methods and instruments are to be continually evaluated in order to integrate more effectively into teaching and learning, and to integrate more effectively with the desired outcomes of the teaching and learning.

Minimum Number of Assessments

The following minimum number of assessments is recommended by the Assessment Policy

Summative assessments

3 assessment opportunities will be provided, i.e. at least 2 semester tests and an exam.

Formative assessments

No minimum figures are prescribed, but regular formative assessments will be considered.