Modern Dance For Men: A Manual For Male Teachers Of Physical Education

The Pennsylvania State College The Graduate School Department of Physical Education Modern Dance for Men A Manual for Male Teachers of Physical Education A dissertation hy Peter R. Wisher Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education August 1952 Approved; Z Z,IffZ He ad, Ddp arnment d5f^Phy si cal Edu cation 2^Vv "VH ^ Associate of Education Associate Professor or Physical^ Education Associate Professor" of Psychology ACKNOWLEDGMENT The investigator wishes to make certain acknowledg­ ments to individuals who, either by their encouragement or practical assistance, contributed to the completion of this study. Special mention whould be made of Dr. Lloyd M. Jones for the many helpful suggestions and encouragement extending over a period of five years. The writer also wishes to extend gratitude to his committee, Dr, C. D. Champlin, Dr. W. U. Snyder, and Dr. J. W. Masley, The assistance given the investigator by the members of a jury of experts, Doris Humphrey, Martha Hill, and Charles Weidman, with respect to matters of content, was deeply appreciated. The cooperation and fine attitude ipanifested by the class of freshman boys at the University of Maryland, which served as an experimental group, was exemplary. Without Mrs. Wisher's patience and understanding this paper could not have eventuated. Gratitude is expressed to Lieutenant Patricia Guy and Miss Violet Mensch for their assistance in the typing and editing of this study. 3755P3 & ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF FIGURES ..,............................ LIST OF T A B LE S Til .. xi Chapter PART I INTRODUCTION TO THE MANUAL I THE PROBLEM.................................. 1 IntroAuction .............................. The Problem....... Statement of the P r o blem................. Importance of the S t u d y ....... Definition of M o d e m Dance ........ Organization of the Remainder of the Thesis • 1 7 7 7 9 10 II REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE..................... 12 III SOURCES OF DATA AND PROCEDURE................ 23 Sources of the Data .......... Procedure ............................. 26 26 PART n THE MANUAL XV MODERN DANCE AND THE PHYSICAL EDUCATOR Introduction...... Historical Background of ModernD a n c e ....... Modern Dance Implications for Physical Education and Athletics .... Studies Indicating Value of Dance in Physical Education............... Changes in Motor Abilities ..... Attitudes toward Dance ....i........... 31 31 34 37 41 41 44 TABLE OF CONTENTS — (continued) Chapter V Page MUSICAL ELEMENTS........................... R hy t h m........ . . Rhythmic Elements........................ Pulsation ............................. Accentuation........................... Tone Duration...... Metrics • Phrase and P e r i o d ....................... Accent Variation ..................... Syncopation ••••.......... Counterpoint ........................... Accumulatire Pattern.............. Resultant Rhythm ........ '......... Expression in M u s i c ........ T e m p o ............ Dynamics................. Phrasing........ T i m b r e ..... F o r m .................. Two-Part Primary F o r m ............... Ternary Form .... Theme and Variations.................... Rondo .... canon .... R o u n d ........ VI MOVEMENT AND DANCE .... ..... Movement the Substance of Dance ••••••.....• Movement Classified As to Time, Space, and F o r c e ...... Time ....................... Space ...... F o r c e ..... • Techniques for Modern D a n c e ........ ......• Fundamentals of a Dance Education .... Nomenclature ............. •....... VII EXERCISES