Module Code - Title:
MU4093
-
AERIAL DANCE 1
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
The module provides a pedagogical context for the development of the students' skills and knowledge to explore the use of apparatus within aerial dance. Engaging in a variety of techniques on the individual apparatus including Trapeze, Hoop, Fabric, Cocoon, and Rope, the student will explore the difference in gravity and weightlessness which will allow them to experience and consider new physical possibilities that are unique to this next level of performance complexity.
Syllabus:
Students will consolidate and develop further skills covered in the previous module MD4121 (health and safety fundamentals, apparatus techniques, and aerial physical body strategies) to continue to provide an opportunity to cultivate technical competence. Once comfortable on a chosen apparatus the student will be encouraged to explore ways of developing movement phrases. During the development of this short choreographic exploration the students will have an opportunity to engage with technical and creative input from practicing artists within the field of Aerial Dance.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
(Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
At the end of this module students should be able to:
• Identify and critically engage with established repertoire in vertical dance and aerial dance.
• Display an applied knowledge in the development of creative ideas in generating new work.
• Illustrate applied principles around aerial rigging and safety.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
(Attitudes and Values)
At the end of this module students should be able to:
• Display professional collaborative working practices developed through the physically-demanding teamwork of aerial dance.
• Demonstrate an ability to articulate ideas, to translate them into movement, and to communicate and perform choreography in front of an audience.
• Respond to physical tasks showing the intention of the movement and a range of aerial performance vocabularies.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
(Physical Skills)
At the end of this module students should be able to:
• Demonstrate proficiency in physical coherency when working on an apparatus.
• Identify and transfer physical attributes of aerial dance techniques to grounded studio based physicality.
• Display core stability, flexibility, and strength for aerial dance.
• Perform precise use of weight and momentum in order to achieve physical accuracy.
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
In tutor led practical classes, health and safety fundamentals are restated and explained to allow the students to continue to comply with the rigor and workings of aerial performance and the unique physicality of being suspended off the ground. Once comfortable on the chosen apparatus the student will be encouraged to explore ways of developing choreography for the individual apparatus. During the development of this short choreographic investigation the student will have an opportunity to engage with technical and creative input from tutors and practicing artists within the field.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Bernasconi, Jayne C. and Smith, Nancy E. (2008)
Aerial dance
, Leeds: Human Kinetics
Scherb, E. (2018)
Applied Anatomy of Aerial Arts
, Berkeley, California: North Atlantic Books
Other Relevant Texts:
Augugliaro, F., Schoellig, A., and D'Andrea, R. (2013)
Dance of the Flying Machines: Methods for Designing and Executing an Aerial Dance Choreography
, Robotics & Automation Magazine, IEEE
Franklin, J. (2014)
Beginners Guide to Aerial Silk
, LA, California: Aerial Physique
Franklin, J. (2018)
Aerial Dance: A guide to dance within rope and harness.
, NY: Routledge
Lawrence, K. (2007)
Who makes site-specific dance? The Year of the Artist and the Matrix of Curating in Rugg and Sedgwick (eds.)
, Bristol: Issues in Curating Contemporary Art and Performance, Intellect
Sendgraff, T. (2018)
Can You See Me Flying: Memoir of an Aerial Dance Pioneer.
, Norfolk. On Demand Publishing, LLC-Create Space
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
BACODAUFA - CONTEMPORARY DANCE
BAIRDAUFA - IRISH DANCE
BAIRMUUFA - IRISH MUSIC
BAVOICUFA - VOICE
BAWOMUUFA - WORLD MUSIC
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Autumn
Module Leader:
grant.mclay@ul.ie