AS Level
AS Dance
AS Dance is a specialist dance course recommended for pupils who have achieved a GCSE in Dance or for pupils who have a passion for the subject and wish to pursue a career in dance or the related arts. Study is structured into two key units.
Unit 1 is entitled 'Understanding Dance' and is worth 40% of the total AS marks or 20% of the total A level marks.
Candidates are required to answer a one and a half hour examination paper based on two sections. Section A focuses on structured questions worth 20 marks and Section B is based on two essay questions worth 40 marks. Knowledge and understanding of performance and choreography and the ability to recognise the significance of the outcome are central to this unit. The study of professional repertoire underpins the candidate's study of choreographic approaches, processes, form, structure and effective outcomes. Study for this unit focuses on three key areas; The dancer as performer including safe practice, anatomy and performance techique, The process and craft of choreography:own work and that of professional repertoire and the significance of dances: own work and that of professional repertoire.
Unit 2 is entitled ' Choreography and Performance' and is worth 60% of the AS marks or 30% of the total A level marks.
Candidates are required to produce practical coursework which is internally assessed. There are two sections. Section A is the Solo choreography and Performance task which is worth 60 marks and Section B is the Performance in a duo/trio which is worth 30 marks. Experience of choreography and performance through practice is essential to this unit. The subject content of this unit is clearly linked to the theoretical subject content of Unit 1. Study is focused on three main areas; The process of solo choreography from investigation and research of ideas through to outcome, the development of physical and interpretative skills in relation to performance of the solo choreography and the development of performance skills within a duo/trio context.
(Reference: GCE Dance specification for AS exams 2009 onwards AQA)