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University of Central Lancashire:
Faculty of Arts, Humanities and
Social Sciences
USA/New York: MA Dance & Somatic Well-Being: Connections to the Living Body
An Approved Somatic Movement Training Program of: The International Somatic Movement Education Therapy Association (ISMETA)
MA programme in New York at:
Moving Body Resources
112 West 27th Street, 4th floor
New York, NY 10001
"The Dance & Somatic Well-Being programme is one of the most comprehensive dance programs I have ever seen. The program is truly on the cutting creative edge of dance and movement programs"
Mary Abrams President ISMETA Board of Directors
(International Somatic Movement Education & Therapy Association New York)
Director of ISMETA Approved Programme and Course leader for MA Programme: Amanda Williamson. Please feel free to contact Amanda Williamson directly for an informal discussion about the Masters programme, course information and professional development. Amanda is available from 10am -4pm UK time.
University of Central Lancashire
School of Creative & Performing Arts
Faculty of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
Preston PRI 2HE UK
Phone: 0044 (0)1772 201201 ext 5349
Email: acwilliamson@uclan.ac.uk
MA Dance & Somatic Wellbeing: Connections to the Living Body is a
progressively unique masters degree programme offering professional
development opportunities through teacher training and academic writing in
the field of Dance and Somatic Movement Education. The course explores
creative improvisational movement with somatic awareness, phenomenological
research, and qualitative research methods underpinned by a
diverse range of key theorists and pioneers in the field including Emilie
Conrad, Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen, Janet Adler, Thomas Hanna, Don Hanlon
Johnson, Andrea Olsen, Sondra Fraleigh, Maxine Sheets-Johnstone, Martha
Eddy, Caryn McHose, Kevin Frank, and many others. A career as a somatic
movement educator brings one into the forefront of progressive learning
toward human development in varied contexts such as personal coaching,
health and wellness, spiritual practice, community development, youth and aging communities, and endless entrepreneurial avenues toward socially responsible sustainable business practices.
Taught in 9 modules the course takes place over two years making it ideal
for people working full or part time and who have family, job, and community
involvements. Students meet with teaching staff every 4-8 weeks for 3-6
days at a time. In between experiential taught modules, students are
required to engage in personal somatic movement practice, perform research
through reading and other media sources, and fulfil writing and other
practical assignments. MA students are fully enrolled in the graduate level
academic programme of the School of Art and Design at the University of
Central Lancashire and have full access to all student library and IT
facilities. This course is academically approved as a masters degree course
through the University of Central Lancashire that runs a number of
internationally accredited undergraduate and post graduate courses.
Somatic awareness in movement is developed through inner-directed body
awareness of sensation, breath, and feeling on many levels. This masters degree supports students to develop their own somatic movement practices and methodologies in order to teach somatic awareness through movement in support of individual and community facilitation. Students will study individual and group improvisation, kinesthetic awareness through proprioception and interoception, and applied somatics philosophy to dance,
movement studies, and personal discovery.
Staff and students respect the value of self-authority and self-knowledge
alive in every living being, and by teaching within this value system. Teachers create opportunities to enhance consciousness through embodied action. Sessions are taught in the spirit of self-discovery and supportive witnessing, as staff model and support students in their ability to self-regulate. In turn, students become teachers who support
self-regulation in their students and clients through co-creative resonant
processes.
MA Dance & Somatic Wellbeing is an Approved Somatic Movement Training
Program of: The International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy
Association (ISMETA). MA graduates will have fulfilled educational
requirements to qualify for professional ISMETA membership as a Registered
Somatic Movement Educator (Abrams & Williamson 2011). Full membership requires fulfilling an extra number of teaching/facilitation hours post graduation.
Course Length: part time 2 years
Year of Entry: 2011
Start Month: October 2010
Course Content
Study focuses on different elements of practice such as the body as fluid
movement, consciousness of skeletal muscular structures for support,
movement and metaphor, verbal and non-verbal creative expression, and
supportive witness practices. Concepts of bodily support are explored and
studied in relation to community and individual practice. Philosophical
perspectives pertaining to somatics and movement studies are introduced in
the first year and developed further during the second year. The second year
focuses more fully on qualitative research methodologies and synthesizing
knowledge developed through experiential learning into potentially
publishable written research findings. Cross curricular learning is
encouraged throughout and facilitation skills are studied in relation to
individual, client-based sessions.
See recent staff and student publications:
Williamson, A. (2009), ‘Formative support and connection: somatic movement danceeducation in community and client practice’, Journal of Dance and Somatic Practices 1: 1, pp. 29–45, doi: 10.1386/jdsp.1.1.29/1
Williamson, A. (2010), ‘Reflections and theoretical approaches to the study of
spiritualities within the field of somatic movement dance education’, Journalof Dance and Somatic Practices 2: 1, pp. 35–61, doi: 10.1386/jdsp.2.1.35_1
Cohen, S. (2010), ‘Sightless touch and touching witnessing: Interplays of
Authentic Movement and Contact Improvisation’, Journal of Dance andSomatic Practices 2: 1, pp. 103–112, doi: 10.1386/jdsp.2.1.103_1
Weber, R. (2009), ‘Integrating semi-structured somatic practices and contemporary
dance technique training’, Journal of Dance and Somatic Practices 1: 2, pp. 237–254,doi: 10.1386/jdsp.1.2.237_1
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The course covers the following within modular study:
- Presence, Kinesthesia & Meta-Kinesis
- Dance, Connection and Support
- Dance and Fluid Transitioning
- Dance and the Skeletal Muscular System
- Dance & Relaxation
- Soma and Phenomenology
- Re-formations of the Sacred
- Somatic Movement Education and Co-creation with Clients
- Somatic Research
- Philosophy and research methodologies
Year 1
Modules:
DA4001 Presence, Kinesthesia & Meta-Kinesis
DA4002 Dance, Connection and Support
DA4003 Dance and Fluid Transitioning
DA4004 Dance and the Skeletal Muscular System
DA4006 Soma and Phenomenology
Year 2
Modules:
DA4005 Dance & Relaxation
DA4007 Re-formations of the Sacred
DA4008 Somatic Movement Education and Co-creation with Clients
DA4009 Somatic Research
Links with Professional Bodies:
MA Dance & Somatic Well-Being: Connections to the Living Body
An Approved Somatic Movement Training Program of: The International Somatic Movement Education Therapy Association (ISMETA). MA graduates are qualified to a register as a Somatic Movement Educator.
Assessment:
Assessment takes place through a wide variety of modes and may include teaching facilitation, essays and other written assessments, class presentations and a research project. The course is predominantly practice based - all learning is facilitated through experiential models and supported by contextual study.
Learning Environment:
The programme is delivered by lectures, seminars, tutorials and studio work. Given this is a body-based course much most classes take place in the studio where creative ideas are explored through movement and dance. We provide a lively learning environment and encourage students to participate actively in all aspects of the course delivery. Assessment includes teaching examinations, essays and other written assessments, class presentations and a research project. Theory is largely delivered through practical exploration in the studio. Theoretical and contextual work is further supported though lectures, seminars and tutorials.
Careers:
Validated by UCLan as a Masters of Arts level course of study and by the International Somatic Movement Education and Therapy Association (ISMETA), this programme is both academic and a professional training ground for teachers and professionals of all kinds to enhance their personal and inter-personal work skills.
How to Apply
Applications from people from a wide range of vocational backgrounds and subject specialists are welcome. The course encourages inter-disciplinary learning and is designed to support people who lead busy lives. Most modular work takes place during the weekends and over intensive retreat block periods. Modular study for completion of the Masters can take place over 1, 2 or 3 years. The discipline is an inclusive inter-age modality. Email: pscollinson@uclan.ac.uk for September 2010 applications and further information.
The Dance & Somatic Well-being programme is suited to mature graduates who are interested in the health, communal, and transformative aspects of dance. We are looking for students from various disciplinary backgrounds; such as: Dance Studies, Counselling, Alternative Therapies, and Teaching. Students from other vocational and academic backgrounds are welcome to apply. Normally students would be expected to have achieved a good lower second class bachelor degree in a related area of practical study. In exceptional circumstances and after audition/ interview, a place may be offered if it is considered that a candidate can evidence sufficient experiential learning. As this course is at postgraduate level, the interview panel must be convinced that the successful candidates are capable of engaging appropriately both physically and intellectually. Upon application, students will be required to attend an interview and somatic workshop. Offers are made subject to successful interview/ workshop. We are looking for adventurous mature people who want to further their careers and develop dance as a transformational tool in contemporary contexts. All students applying for a place on this course will need to undergo an enhanced CRB check. International applicants are required to have achieved an IELTS of 6.5 or above. If you are interested in applying for this course, our comprehensive How to apply pages will guide you through the process. Here at UCLan, our aim is to encourage you to develop your potential and we offer a flexible approach to admissions, which reflects our commitment to all those who would benefit from our courses.
Amanda Williamson is the course leader and founder of MA Dance &
Somatic Well-being: Connections to the Living Body (UK) and co-founder
of the New York Sister Masters programme with Mary Abrams. Amanda
currently writes on the integration of the sensory imaginal in somatic
movement modalities and re-visioning processes of social and personal
change. All the staff are creative leading educationalists within the
field. Mary Abrams is President of The International Somatic Movement
Education and Therapy Association (ISMETA).
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