Course prescriptions for Dance
Prescribed texts are required for study in this course. They focus on the study of dance as an artform and integrate knowledge from Performance and Composition to enhance the skills of analysis. Find a list of prescribed texts for current years.
About course prescriptions
The HSC course prescriptions should be read in conjunction with:
- Dance Stage 6 Syllabus and other support documents
- Official Notices in the NESA News
- Record of changes for Dance Stage 6 Syllabus.
There are prescribed texts required for study in this course. NESA reserves the right to make changes to the prescribed texts listed in this document. Course prescriptions may be changed in total or in part every 3 to 6 years. Minor changes may be made within that period. Any amendments to requirements or course prescriptions will be published on the NESA website and in the Official Notices section.
The NESA website contains the most up-to-date reference for prescribed texts. The study of texts prescribed for any Higher School Certificate course may not begin before the completion of the Preliminary course. This exclusion applies to study in the Preliminary component of this course and to Preliminary courses in other subjects.
‘Study’ here means teacher-directed study and does not apply to attending performances in the Preliminary Course of any dance works prescribed as HSC texts in Dance Appreciation. For Dance, prescribed texts include artists, works, eras and rubrics. Students should not be involved in the study of any of these texts during the Preliminary year.
Prescribed texts focus on the study of dance as an artform, integrating the knowledge and understanding from Performance and Composition to enhance the skills of analysis. This may involve extending the description, interpretation and evaluation of the works through the performance of adapted excerpts and the application of compositional processes to assist the analysis of the works. These practical experiences of aspects of the works and their context support students’ understanding and analysis of the works.
The information contained in the following prescriptions relates to:
- Course Prescriptions – Core Appreciation
- Course Prescriptions – Major Study Appreciation.
Transcripts of audio descriptions have been developed to support students with vision impairments. Please note that each audio description contains ‘A note to listeners’ to be reviewed by the student or a person supporting their learning.
Course prescriptions for 2022–2025
Core Appreciation consists of the study of 2 prescribed artists and 2 prescribed works in conjunction with the outcomes and content in the Dance Stage 6 Syllabus.
| Prescribed artist | Prescribed work | Available at | Transcript of audio description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mats Ek | Juliet and Romeo (2013) | Juliet and Romeo (2013) (PDF 353.94KB) | |
| Frances Rings | Terrain, Bangarra Dance Theatre (2012) | Terrain, Bangarra Dance Theatre (2012) (PDF 653.69KB) |
Rubric
In Core Appreciation, students study 2 prescribed artists/works within their socio-cultural-historic context.
Students use the skills of analysis as they study the distinguishing characteristics of each prescribed work, resulting in a critical interpretation and evaluation of the works.
They consider each work as the communication of the choreographer’s ideas and intent. The works are a reflection of the society from which they emerged and provide a vehicle for students to write about dance as they learn about dance criticism.
Major Study Appreciation consists of the study of:
- 1 mandatory seminal work:
- Seminal work: Crystal Pite, Betroffenheit (2017)
- 1 prescribed era and 2 prescribed artists:
- Era: 1955 – 1975 Post Martha Graham
- Artists: Merce Cunningham and Lucinda Childs
in conjunction with the outcomes and content in the Dance Stage 6 Syllabus.
| Prescribed artist | Prescribed work | Available at | Transcript of audio description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal Pite | Betroffenheit (2017) | Betroffenheit (2017) (PDF 335.17KB) | |
| Merce Cunningham | |||
| Lucinda Childs |
Rubric
Seminal work
A seminal work is a dance work of art that has significantly influenced how dance as an artform is perceived. In studying the seminal work, students consider a thorough, detailed analysis of the work within its socio-cultural-historic context in order to understand the ideas and intent communicated by the choreographer.
This analysis is then used to make evaluations and critical judgments about the seminal work and its contributions to the development of dance as an artform.
Prescribed era
This area of study explores the contribution of seminal artists to their era and the evolution of dance as an artform. The focus is on significant developments in dance within the specified era. This includes the relationship between the artists, their work, and the social, cultural and historical contexts in which they worked.
Prescribed artists
In this area of study, students consider the prescribed artists’ significance to the development of dance within the specified era.
Students also consider how and why the prescribed artists and their work are recognised as seminal.
Course prescriptions for 2026–2027
Core Appreciation consists of the study of 2 prescribed artists and 2 prescribed works in conjunction with the outcomes and content in the Dance Stage 6 Syllabus.
| Prescribed artist | Prescribed work | Available at | Transcript of audio description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mats Ek | Juliet and Romeo (2013) | Juliet and Romeo (2013) (PDF 353.94KB) | |
| Frances Rings | Yuldea, Bangarra Dance Theatre (2023) | Yuldea, Bangarra audio description transcript |
Rubric
In Core Appreciation, students study 2 prescribed artists/works within their socio-cultural-historic context.
Students use the skills of analysis as they study the distinguishing characteristics of each prescribed work, resulting in a critical interpretation and evaluation of the works.
They consider each work as the communication of the choreographer’s ideas and intent. The works are a reflection of the society from which they emerged and provide a vehicle for students to write about dance as they learn about dance criticism.
Major Study Appreciation consists of the study of:
- 1 mandatory seminal work:
- Seminal work: Crystal Pite, Betroffenheit (2017)
- 1 prescribed era and 2 prescribed artists:
- Era: 1955 – 1975 Post Martha Graham
- Artists: Merce Cunningham and Lucinda Childs
in conjunction with the outcomes and content in the Dance Stage 6 Syllabus.
| Prescribed artist | Prescribed work | Available at | Transcript of audio description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal Pite | Betroffenheit (2017) | Betroffenheit (2017) (PDF 335.17KB) | |
| Merce Cunningham | |||
| Lucinda Childs |
Rubric
Seminal work
A seminal work is a dance work of art that has significantly influenced how dance as an artform is perceived. In studying the seminal work, students consider a thorough, detailed analysis of the work within its socio-cultural-historic context in order to understand the ideas and intent communicated by the choreographer.
This analysis is then used to make evaluations and critical judgments about the seminal work and its contributions to the development of dance as an artform.
Prescribed era
This area of study explores the contribution of seminal artists to their era and the evolution of dance as an artform. The focus is on significant developments in dance within the specified era. This includes the relationship between the artists, their work, and the social, cultural and historical contexts in which they worked.
Prescribed artists
In this area of study, students consider the prescribed artists’ significance to the development of dance within the specified era.
Students also consider how and why the prescribed artists and their work are recognised as seminal.