DAA 2381

TAI CHI WORLD DANCE AND INTERCULTURAL PERFORMANCE DAA 2381 3 CREDITS SPRING 2015

Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it. Lao Tzu MCGUIRE THEATRE AND DANCE PAVILION, STUDIO G 10 MW 9-‐10 INSTRUCTOR:

Ms. Caro Chen and Professor Joan Frosch Office: McGuire Theatre and Dance Pavilion, 213 [email protected] [email protected] TF: 352 514 1100

OFFICE HOURS:

T TH 3:00-‐4:00 pm

COURSE COMMUNICATIONS: Please email Ms. Chen and Dr. Frosch on all communications REQUIRED TEXT: The Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi by Peter M. Wayne with Mark L. Fuerst. Boston: Shambhala Publications. 2013. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Taijiquan: Chen Taiji 38 Form and Applications by Ren Guang Yi. Tuttle Publishing. 2003. Readings from I Ching and Tao Te Ching DAA 2381 Tai Chi/ Spring 2015

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Tao Te Ching by Stephen Mitchell. Harper Perennial publication, Reprint edition. 2009. Online sources for Tao Te Ching http://www.taoism.net/ttc/complete.htm http://www.sacred-texts.com/tao/taote.htm Online sources for I Ching http://www.akirarabelais.com/i/i.html http://www.pantherwebworks.com/i_ching/ http://pages.pacificcoast.net/~wh/Index.html

COURSE DESCRIPTION: DAA 2381 introduces the performance of a traditional an/or popular movement style representing a selected world perspective. Emphasizing practice and performance, the course examines the movement form(s) in relation to its specific cultural contexts. Readings, video viewing, and class projects enhance laboratory exploration. (H and N) (Varied course sections may focus on West African traditional dance, American Hip Hop, Bharata Natyam, Argentine Tango etc.) NO PREREQUISITE KNOWLEDGE OR SPECIFIC MOVEMENT SKILLS REQUIRED. PURPOSE OF COURSE: Tai Chi is a mind-body practice rooted in multiple Chinese traditions, including martial arts, traditional Chinese medicine, and philosophy. The course is intended to increase the appreciation of Chinese mind-body practices by developing physical and intellectual abilities of students within the framework of a cultural practice. Tai Chi training integrates slow, intentional movements emphasizing conscious breathing and the development of specific cognitive skills such as mindfulness and imagery. It aims to strengthen, relax, and integrate the physical body and mind, enhance the natural flow of Qi, and improve health, balance, and self-awareness in an embodied spiritual practice. COURSE GOALS AND/OR OBJECTIVES: By the end of this course, students will have learned to:

DAA 2381 Tai Chi/ Spring 2015

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Perform a codified Chen Style Tai Chi traditional form on which students could build daily practice to master principal movements; and create a baseline for further exploring in the future.

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Master an essential drill called silk reeling (Chan Si Gong), a set of repetitive spiral movements develop strength and coordination essential to the practice of Tai Chi.

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Develop an awareness of Qi, the energy force thought to flow through the body; and unblock and encourage the proper flow of Qi.

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Embody Yin-Yang concept of Taoist philosophy, integrate the left and right halves of the body, the upper and lower halves of the body, and the extremities of the body with the inside or core.

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Use Tai Chi to enhance muscle strength, balance, coordination, and relaxation of the body: and to refine mind-body harmony, internal-external harmony, and human-nature harmony.

** HOW THIS COURSE RELATES TO THE STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES While the study of Tai Chi is a physical and intellectual experience, students will also engage in the practice of Tai Chi as an embodiment of Chinese philosophy and culture. The class takes a practice-‐oriented approach, using self-‐reflection, and critical thinking, to introduce the beginning student to critical elements of Chinese culture through movement. Students will focus first on the physical aspects of the training (silk reeling exercise and form) expressly because these are the tools on which students are able to built stable skills and master the principles that underlie the art. Once students learn to perform the form, they can then use it to explore each principle, and in turn use the principles to improve their form. Second, we will learn about and discuss selected movement principles (such as, dantian rotation) and embodied philosophy (such as, yin-‐yang), to promote class discussion and application to practice. In weekly journals, students will engage with the reading material and assess their progress and skills throughout the course. A handout will guide the weekly journal assignments.


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The classroom will be a welcoming space for students of diverse background and experience not only to learn and refine their practice of Tai Chi, but also to examine their assumptions and to advance their cultural fluency. INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS: The course will create movement laboratory, which is illuminated by lecture and discussion, group learning projects, and presentations.

COURSE POLICIES: ATTENDANCE POLICY: Attendance is mandatory and absences must be documented to be excused (two excused absences will not affect grade). QUIZ/EXAM POLICY: Pop quizzes will conducted at the beginning of the class period on a number of occasions during the semester. MAKE-‐UP POLICY: up to two days of assignments made be made up with documented excused absences. **ASSIGNMENT POLICY: [If assignments are used, indicate expectations and deadlines.]

UF POLICIES: UNIVERSITY POLICY ON ACCOMMODATING STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Students requesting accommodation for disabilities must first register with the Dean of Students Office (http://www.dso.ufl.edu/drc/). The Dean of Students Office will provide documentation to the student who must then provide this documentation to the instructor when requesting accommodation. You must submit this documentation prior to submitting assignments or taking the quizzes or exams. Accommodations are not retroactive, therefore, students should contact the office as soon as possible in the term for which they are seeking accommodations. UNIVERSITY POLICY ON ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT: Academic honesty and integrity are fundamental values of the University community. Students should be sure that they understand the UF Student Honor Code at http://www.dso.ufl.edu/students.php. **NETIQUETTE: COMMUNICATION COURTESY: All members of the class are expected to follow rules of common courtesy in all email messages, threaded discussions and chats. [Describe what is expected and what will occur as a result of improper behavior] http://teach.ufl.edu/docs/NetiquetteGuideforOnlineCourses.pdf


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GETTING HELP: For issues with technical difficulties for E-‐learning in Sakai, please contact the UF Help Desk at: ● Learning-‐[email protected] ● (352) 392-‐HELP -‐ select option 2 ● https://lss.at.ufl.edu/help.shtml ** Any requests for make-‐ups due to technical issues MUST be accompanied by the ticket number received from LSS when the problem was reported to them. The ticket number will document the time and date of the problem. You MUST e-‐mail your instructor within 24 hours of the technical difficulty if you wish to request a make-‐up. Other resources are available at http://www.distance.ufl.edu/getting-‐help for: •

Counseling and Wellness resources

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Disability resources

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Resources for handling student concerns and complaints

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Library Help Desk support

Should you have any complaints with your experience in this course please visit http://www.distance.ufl.edu/student-‐complaints to submit a complaint.

GRADING POLICIES: Assignments and Exams Total

400 Points

(Quizzes are valued to a maximum of 5 points each for extra credit) Journaling assignment 1: Understanding of Yin and Yang

50 points

Journaling assignment 2: Understanding of Change

50 points


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MIDTERM: Silk Reeling Essay and Assessment FINAL: Performance of Chen Style 38 movements

80 points

FINAL includes Presentation and Demonstration.

120 points

Class/Event participation and attendance

100 points

GRADING SCALE:

Letter Grade

A

Grade Points

4.0

D . 3. 3. 3. 2. 2. 2. 1. 1. 1. 6 67 33 00 67 33 00 67 33 00 7 A-

B +

B

B-

C +

C

C-

D +

D

E, I, NG, S-U, WF 0.00

16 WEEK COURSE SCHEDULE: A CLASS BY CLASS SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES—SUBJECT TO CHANGE Day

Date

Topic

1

January 5

Introduction to the background and basic movements of Chen Style Tai Chi

THE HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL GUIDE TO TAI CHI

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January 7

Warm up

THE HARVARD Review and MEDICAL SCHOOL practice the GUIDE TO TAI CHI form

Silk reeling practices Chen Style 38 form:

Reading

Assignment

1. Preparation DAA 2381 Tai Chi/ Spring 2015

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2. Buddha’s Warrior Attendant Pounds Mortar 3

January 12

Warm up Silk reeling practices Chen Style 38 form: 3.The White Crane Spreads Its Wings

I Ching Readings

THE HARVARD Review and MEDICAL SCHOOL practice the GUIDE TO TAI CHI form Tao Te Ching Readings

4.Stepping Forward Three Steps 4

January 14

Warm up Silk reeling practices


Chen Style 38 form: 5. Walking Obliquely 6. Brush Knee 5

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January 19

Martin Luther King Day

January 21


7. Wade Forward Twist Step on Both Sides 8. The Fist of Covering Hand and Arm January 26

Chen Style 38 form:

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Warm up


THE HARVARD Review and MEDICAL SCHOOL practice the GUIDE TO TAI CHI form; prepare for the discussion of body and mind

THE HARVARD Review and MEDICAL SCHOOL practice the

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Silk reeling practices

GUIDE TO TAI CHI form;

Chen Style 38 form:

Review 1-‐8 Discussion of body and mind 8

January 28



Chen Style 38 form: 9. The Punch of Draping Over Body 10. Push with Both Hands 9

February Warm up 2 Silk reeling practices


Chen Style 38 form: 11. Change Palms Three Times 12. Fist Under Elbow 10



Chen Style 38 form:

Tao Te Ching 13. Step Back and Whirl Arms on Readings Both Sides 14. Step Back and Press Elbow 11

February Warm up 9 Silk reeling practices Chen Style 38 form: 15. Beast Head Pose


THE HARVARD Review and MEDICAL SCHOOL practice the GUIDE TO TAI CHI form; prepare for the discussion of

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16. Flash the Back

Yin and Yang Journaling 1 DUE

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February Warm up 11 Silk reeling practices Chen Style 38 form:

THE HARVARD Review and MEDICAL SCHOOL practice the GUIDE TO TAI CHI form; reflect the discussion

Review 1-‐16 Discussion of Yin and Yang 13

February Warm up 16 Silk reeling practices Chen Style 38 form: 17. Wade Forward and Twist Step on Both Sides

THE HARVARD Review and MEDICAL SCHOOL practice the GUIDE TO TAI CHI form MIDTERM DESSEMINATED

18. Green Dragon Comes Out of Water 14



Chen Style 38 form: 19. Punch of Hitting the Ground 20. Double Raise Foot 15

February Warm up 23 Silk reeling practices Chen Style 38 form:

THE HARVARD Review and MEDICAL SCHOOL practice the GUIDE TO TAI CHI form MIDTERM DUE

21. The Fist of Protecting Heart DAA 2381 Tai Chi/ Spring 2015

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22. Forward Trick 16

February Warm up 25 Silk reeling practices Chen Style 38 form: 23. Backward Trick 24. Kick with Right Heel

THE HARVARD Review and MEDICAL SCHOOL practice the GUIDE TO TAI CHI form; prepare for the discussion of awareness and intention.

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March 2 Spring Break

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March 4 Spring Break

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March 9 Warm up

THE HARVARD Review and MEDICAL SCHOOL practice the GUIDE TO TAI CHI form; prepare for the discussion of internal spiraling and external circular movement

Silk reeling practices Chen Style 38 form: Review 1-‐24 Discussion of awareness and intention

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March 11

Warm up Silk reeling practices Chen Style 38 form:


Review 1-‐24 Discussion of internal spiraling and external circular movement 21

March

Warm up


THE HARVARD

Review and

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16

Silk reeling practices Chen Style 38 form:

MEDICAL SCHOOL practice the GUIDE TO TAI CHI form

25. Kick with Left Heel 26. Jade Girl Works the Shuttles 22

March 18



Chen Style 38 form: 27. Lazy About Tying the Coat 28. Six Sealing and Four Closings 23

March 23



Chen Style 38 form: 29. Single Whip 30. The Dragon on the Ground 24

March 25

Warm up Silk reeling practices Chen Style 38 form: 31. Step Forward with Seven Stars

THE HARVARD Review and MEDICAL SCHOOL practice the GUIDE TO TAI CHI form; prepare for the discussion of breathing

32. Small Catching and Hitting 25

March 30




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Review 1-‐32 Discussion of breathing 26

April 6



Chen Style 38 form: 33. Wave Hands Like Clouds 34. High Pat On Horse 27

April 8



Chen Style 38 form: 35. Double Sweep Lotus 36. The Cannon Right Overhead 28

April 13

Warm up Silk reeling practices Chen Style 38 form: 37. Buddha’s Warrior Attendant Pounds Mortar

THE HARVARD Review and MEDICAL SCHOOL practice the GUIDE TO TAI CHI form; prepare for the discussion of relaxation

38. Closing 29

April 15

Warm up Silk reeling practices Chen Style 38 form: Review 1-‐38 Discussion of relaxation


THE HARVARD Review and MEDICAL SCHOOL practice the GUIDE TO TAI CHI form; prepare for the discussion of the flow of Qi and Health

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Benefits 30

April 20


THE HARVARD Review the MEDICAL SCHOOL whole form and GUIDE TO TAI CHI prepare for the final exam

Review 1-‐38 Discussion of the flow of Qi and health benefits 31

April 22 Final Exam

THE HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL GUIDE TO TAI CHI

Disclaimer: This syllabus represents current plans and objectives. As we go through the semester, those plans may need to change to enhance class learning. Changes should be expected.


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