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Mexican Folk Dance and Culture

Texas Lutheran University
Center for Professional Development
Spring 2008
 
Dates and Times:
Tuesdays, February 19 – April 30, 2008 (except March 19th)
7:00 – 8:30 pm
Location:
TLU Jones Physical Education Complex Aerobics Room
Instructor:
Dr. Ana María González
Langner Hall 211
830.372.6086; agonzalez@tlu.edu
Cost:
$150.00 for 11 1.5 hour sessions (16.5 contact hours)
Credits:
This is a continuing education course for 1.6 continuing education units (CEUs); this course is not for academic college credit.
           
Overview: This course is for current and prospective Spanish, bilingual education, and physical education teachers, as well as for others in the community who want to learn about Mexican culture through folk dance for their professional or personal development. The course introduces many aspects of Mexican culture through a focus on traditional dances and folklore. Students read short texts about dance topics and learn traditional dances.
 
Objectives: As a result of this course, students will
  1. Acquire and/or expand their knowledge of Mexican traditional dances and folklore.
  2. Increase their understanding and appreciation of different cultures.
  3. Improve their physical condition and well being.
  4. Perform a variety of Mexican folk dances.
 
Course materials: No textbook is necessary. All class materials will be sent via e-mail. It is each student’s responsibility to print necessary materials and bring print outs to class. They are exclusively for class use, and any other use is prohibited.
 
Course Requirements:
 
1.       Attendance and participation: Students must attend all sessions and participate actively to achieve the class objectives. Tardiness and leaving class early are forms of absence, three instances of which will be considered the equivalent of one absence. 
2.       Assignments:
    1. Essays: Students are expected to turn in four brief essays of 15-20 lines each typed and double-spaced. The topics, guidelines, and calendar will be provided in advance. When using quotes, students must cite sources. 
    2. Quizzes: All quizzes will be announced in advance with detailed guidelines. You have to stay up-to-date with all the material we cover in class. 
    3. Recital: Students will organize and perform a dance recital. Detailed guidelines for each student’s responsibilities will be provided in advance.
 
Award of CEUs: The award of CEUs is based on attendance and grades.
 
  1. One CEU is awarded for ten hours of attendance; therefore, this course is eligible for 1.6 CEUs for students who attend all class sessions.
  2. Students must earn at least 75 points to earn the CEUs.

Attendance, preparation, and participation                       30 points

Essays                                                                         20 points
Quizzes                                                                        10 points
Recital                                                                          40 points
Extra credit                                                                     5 points
 
Course Policies:
  1. Students should only be absent for extreme emergencies and should arrange for make-up work with the instructor.
  2. No late work will be accepted. All assignments are due at the beginning of the class period. 
  3. Students are expected to engage in positive behaviors. Disruptive behavior, academic dishonesty, and unexcused absences are grounds for dismissal.
  4. TLU provides reasonable accommodations for students with physical/medical and/or learning disabilities. It is the right and responsibility of each student to request those services and to provide professional documentation of the nature of the disability. Requests should be initiated in the Office of the ADA Coordinator, Terry Ann Weers, Student Life and Learning Suite, Beck Center, second floor. Extension 8009.
 
Schedule:
Session
Date
Activities
1
2/19
Introduction. Mexican states map and Mexican regions and costumes
Jalisco “La culebra” and “Las alazanas”
2
2/26
Jalisco “La culebra”, “Las alazanas” and “Los machetes”
3
3/4
Chiapas “Camino de San Cristóbal”
Oaxaca “La sandunga”
4
3/11
Chiapas “Camino de San Cristóbal”
Oaxaca “La sandunga”
-----
3/18
Spring Break – No class session
5
3/25
Review: Jalisco, Chiapas and Oaxaca
Costa Rica “Así es mi tierra”
6
4/1
Nayarit “El toro” and “Jarabe nayarita”
7
4/8
Nayarit “Jarabe nayarita”
8
4/15
Nayarit “Jarabe nayarita”
Guerrero “Las amarillas”
9
4/22
Guerrero “Las amarillas”
 
4/24
General rehearsal 1 (Aerobics Room)
10
4/29
General rehearsal 2 (Wuppermann Little Theater)
11
4/30
Final Recital
7:00 p.m. Wuppermann Little Theater
 
 
 
 
This syllabus is not a contract, real or implied, and may be changed at any time at the instructor’s discretion. Students will be informed in a timely manner if changes become necessary.

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