syllabus
Argentine Tango (ART742)
Tuesdays 3:30 - 5pm in Persons Auditorium
Faculty: Jim Mahoney and Sara Salimbeni
1 credit. May be repeated for credit.
The Argentine Tango is an improvised social partner dance currently popular all over the world, including here in Brattleboro. If you've never seen it before, check out the "Tango Bar" video in the library,
or any of the video clip links on the
resources page.
In each 90 min class you should expect some posture / stretching
exercises, some new moves, and some open practice time.
Please be on time. Repeated arriving late will affect your grade.
This semester we intend to focus more on
the fundamentals (i.e. the embrace and connection
between the dancers and the music) than
fancy steps.
The course requirements include
- attending each class and
- writing a short final evaluation paper.
You'll also be expected to read and watch
various online articles and video clips,
as posted on the
resources and
videos pages.
Attendance is crucial, particularly since the material builds
sequentially.
- Please do come to each class, on time.
- If you're injured or not feeling well, oftenyou can still get something out of sitting in and watching.
- Up to three missed classes may be "made up" by attendinga downtown Tues evening tango class within three weeks ofthe missed class. (Jim can sometimes help with transportation.)
- If more than four classes are missed, no credit will be given.
Tango is a close contact activity, so personal hygiene matters :
please arrive washed, brushed, and perhaps even scented.
The right sort of shoes are also important,
namely ones that are comfortable to walk in,
will stay on your feet, and allow you
to pivot easily on the ball of your foot on the gym floor.
The
shoes page has more information.
If there's interest, I may put in a group order for
some dance sneakers.
