PE 185SN Salsa Dancing-Beginning

Lab Hours: 3
Credits: 1

Prepares students to perform basic, intermediate, and advanced dance steps and common variations of Salsa, Cumbia, and Merengue. Beginning class covers basic dance terminology and techniques. Intermediate and Advanced includes advanced terminology, techniques, and combinations.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Identify and use correct vocabulary for Salsa, Cumbia, and Merengue dances as both an art form and recreational activity.
Perform with competence of fundamental movement skills (basic step, pivot, breaks, turns).
Execute beginning steps, variations, and proper use of space for Salsa, Cumbia, and Merengue dances.
Practice proper dance etiquette.
Use strategies to work cooperatively with a partner or peer.

Content Outline
Beginning

Basic Salsa Steps:
- Progressive-Three variations include: In-place (feet together on pause), Traveling (feet staggered on pause), and Circular (gradually rotate a total of 360 degrees during four counts of the progressive)
- Traveling Steps (forward, backwards, and side-to-side)
- Fan-Leader lets go of the follower’s left hand but remains holding on to her right
Cumbia-Two variations include: Basic (step back on first and fourth beat), and Traditional (during pause, kick foot forward and tap the floor with either your heal or the all of your foot)
Basic Merenge Steps:
- In-place.
- Forwards (L) & Backwards (L) 
- 360 Degree Rotation
- Open Break/Step In & Step Out 
- Outside Turn (F)/ Outside Turn (L)
- Step into Close position