Dance – AS & A Level

AQA

Description of the Specification

This course is designed for students who wish to study dance in depth.  It is suitable for students with GCSE Dance at grade A*-B who wish to further their knowledge, or for students with equivalent skills deriving from substantial experience in technique, performance, choreography and dance appreciation.  Students acquire experience of choreography, performance and appreciation.  In addition they acquire knowledge and understanding of at least five professional dance works from a variety of genres and styles, and investigate one dance genre and one set work in depth. The aims of the specifications are:

• to encourage students to gain skills in performance and choreography, and to engage in critical thinking about Dance
• to promote students’ interest in a healthy lifestyle, exercise and training
• to allow students to acquire knowledge, skills and understanding for further study and/or for employment

Type and Nature of Work Involved

A candidate is expected to:

• show ability to choreograph imaginative solo and group dances
• show comprehensive knowledge of the technical and expressive skills involved in performance
• show ability to apply performance skills to a specific practitioner’s style
• show sound knowledge of safe practice in dance
• show detailed understanding of the constituent features and forms of dance
• show ability to comment perceptively and critically on the historical and cultural context of dances
• show ability to interpret and evaluate dances through clear written communication

Method of Assessment

AS

Unit 1 - Understanding Dance
1½ hour examination / 20% of total A level mark

Unit 2 - Performance of Solo Choreography
Performance in a Duo/Trio / 30% of total A level mark

A2

Unit 3 - Dance Appreciation: Content & Context
1½ hour examination / 25% of total A level mark

Unit 4 - Solo Performance related to a practitioner
Group Choreography / 25% of total A level mark

Specific Entry Requirement: A minimum of a grade B if this option was studied for GCSE.

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Sixth Form Subjects