OCCC continues to expand its commitment to the arts by adding “Understanding Dance,” a theater arts elective class for fall 2014, said Elizabeth Hobi with Dance Theatre OKC.

Hobi said Understanding Dance (TA1003) is an academic three-credit-hour course designed to give students a good understanding and appreciation of dance.

She will teach the course which will meet once a week from 1:30 to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays.

Course objectives will include understanding the role and importance of dance in culture and society, the development of dance as theatre art, aspects of various theatrical dance styles, dance as a way to create and communicate meaning, and the art of making dance, Hobi said.

She said throughout the course of the class, students will see videos and live dance performances at OCCC.

“This is not a dance technique class and students will not be expected to dance,” Hobi said.

“There will be no text for this class, only in-class videos, lectures, and some live demonstrations from the OCCC dance company,” Hobi said.

“Students will be graded on two papers, the midterm exam, the final exam, and class attendance.”

Hobi said the semester grade will be an average of four elements of equal weight, each worth 25 percent of the final grade.

She said she looks forward to the class.

“Together we will explore theatrical dance and have a lot of fun doing it.”

Hobi said the course is not listed in the fall print schedule for fall, only online.

For more information about the course contact Hobi at elizabeth.a.hobi@occc.edu.