Cañada College Salsa Dancing Course Syllabus | Spring 2025

Kinesiology, Athletics & Dance (KAD) Division | Dance Department

Salsa I, II, III, IV | Building 1-203

Welcome to Cañada College Spring 2025 Salsa Dancing Course!

Congratulations to you, wonderful human beings, for kicking off 2025 with establishing new, healthy habits for the body, mind, and soul! Read the syllabus. This is our contract. It contains all the information you need to know about successfully completing this course. My contact information is included. Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns as I am known to be a very approachable and accessible professor.

Every Tuesday and Thursday I will be teaching Salsa I from 5:30pm – 6:45pm and Salsa II, III, IV from 6:45pm – 8:00pm. Although you are registered for different levels, I have included six specific videos below that you may all start to review and practice from home now. Salsa I students may go directly to my SALSA DANCING for Beginners Playlist to peak ahead at what we will be covering this semester. Salsa II, III, IV students may also review these videos as you are expected to have mastered this content. I invite upper level students to challenge themselves to learn the opposite role. I suggest you begin slowly BY committing 11 minutes or so to a  morning or evening practice routine. Choosing digestible habits for mastering salsa dancing will be our focus for this semester. Feel free to enjoy your practice with friends and family (accountability partners).

Every week I will most likely be recording new content for your review for the higher levels. If you subscribe to YouTube.com/@VeraQuijano and click the bell icon, you will receive new video alerts as they become available. This will alert you of my yoga course video uploads as well. All of my new Cañada College Spring 2025 Salsa Course videos will be uploaded to my YouTube Channel. I will establish a separate Salsa II, III, and IV Playlist after the first week of classes.

I am looking forward to teaching you how to salsa dance your way to a more physically and emotionally balanced and blissful life!

Namasté,

Professor Vera Quijano

CONTACT

Instructor | Assistant Professor Vera Quijano, B.S., MPA, M.S. | Chopra Yoga Teacher

Office Hours |  Tu & Th 11:00am – 11:30am and 4:30pm – 5:30pm | Bldg 1-160

iPhone Text/Call/FaceTime | (650) 867-9300

Facebook Message | Facebook.com/vera.quijano

E-mail | quijano@smccd.edu

COURSE CATALOG DESCRIPTION

DANC 125.1 | SALSA I

Beginning techniques of partner salsa dancing. Proper body placement, lead and follow techniques, and stylization applied to dance patterns. Shine steps are covered. Dance etiquette and rhythm of salsa music covered.

DANC 125.2 | SALSA II

Continuation of DANC 125.1. A thorough review of Salsa I is provided. Intermediate salsa patterns including more complex turns, patterns, and shines are introduced. Greater emphasis on the development of dance stylization, timing, and safety. Student choreography and presentation is encouraged.

DANC 125.3 | SALSA III

Continuation of DANC 125.2. Includes a quick review of DANC 125.1 and a thorough review of DANC 125.2. More complex patterns are demonstrated and practiced, with emphasis on dance pattern design at the Intermediate/Advanced level. Student choreography and “learning by teaching” is required. Includes emphasis on partner dancing safety and core body awareness, and improving balance, strength, and flexibility in preparation for advanced patterns and stage performance (encouraged).

DANC 125.4 | SALSA IV

Continuation of DANC 125.3. Designed for the advanced student who has already demonstrated Intermediate/Advanced ability in lead/follow technique, dance pattern complexity, and proper timing. Longer and more difficult dance combinations are covered without introduction or emphasis of the basics. Choreography of intermediate/advanced shines and partner patterns required. Student learning by teaching required. Performance encouraged.

Why partner dancing? Read scientific study that suggests that participation in partnered dance styles is associated with perceived improvements in physical fitness, cognitive functioning, social functioning, mood, and self-confidence, and that perceived benefits may increase as individuals dance more frequently and over longer periods of time.

SECTIONS

DANC 125.1 (44075) | 5:30pm – 6:45pm | Tu & Th | Cañada College Building 1-203

DANC 125.2 (43989) | DANC 125.3 (43990) | DANC 125.4 (43991) | 6:45pm – 8:00pm | Tu & Th | Cañada College Building 1-203

Other Cañada College courses:

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOs)

  • Understand importance of injury prevention and dynamic stretching for dancing safely.
  • Create core body awareness, correct posture, and balance maintenance, while moving.
  • Understand and develop diversity awareness and appreciation.
  • Demonstrate proper closed position and body placement.
  • Apply correct lead and follow techniques.
  • Understand and apply partner salsa dancing timing and etiquette.
  • Memorize and demonstrate salsa dancing patterns.
  • Demonstrate shine steps and develop styling technique and practice routine.
  • Recognize and appreciate human diversity and the importance of building community.
    • Salsa I: Demonstrate SLOs at beginner level
    • Salsa II: Demonstrate SLOs at intermediate level
    • Salsa III: Demonstrate SLOs at advanced intermediate level
    • Salsa IV: Demonstrate SLOs at advanced level

REQUIRED Free Resources

WEEKLY PRACTICE VIDEOS | “Subscribe” and click bell icon to receive new video upload alerts YouTube.com/@veraquijano. Go to preferred Playlist.

REQUIRED Attire

Clothing must enable you to move freely. Sweats or dance pants and T-shirt or tank and actual dance shoes or leather-soled shoes recommended.  New rubber-soled shoes are too sticky and may stress joints and cause injury! NO high heels, flip flops, or slip-on shoes! Bloch or Capezio brand dance sneakers recommended. Non-marking soles only.

YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE CREDIT IF YOU ARE NOT APPROPRIATELY DRESSED. 

REQUIRED Attendance with Active Participation

Active Participation in person counts for 55% of your total grade (110 Active Participation Points). It is important to be on time, ready to participate, wearing Recommended Attire! Initial roster for yourself only at the beginning of each class. Do your best to bring water, preferably in a reusable container, to every class. 

• EXCUSED absences are limited to illness, injury, or family emergency. All other absences will count as “unexcused.” Maximum excused absences: four (4). Excused absences must be accompanied by explanation via email or text. If you are not feeling well, do not come to class. Stay home and take care of yourself. A note from your doctor is NOT required.

• UNEXCUSED absences may be made up in other classes or via submitting log of practice videos. Maximum unexcused absences to makeup: four (4). Three (3) Participation Points deducted per unexcused absence.

  • IF you get in the habit of arriving > 15 minutes late, and/or leaving > 15 minutes early, one (1) Participation Point will be deducted for the day.
  • IF you get in the habit of arriving > 30 minutes late, and/or leaving > 30 minutes early, two (2) Participation Points will be deducted for the day.
  • IF you get in the habit of arriving to class unprepared and/or improperly dressed, three (3) Participation Points will be deducted for the day, equivalent to an unexcused absence.

 EATING DURING CLASS IS PROHIBITED. PROPER HYDRATION IS ENCOURAGED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE!

ASSESSMENT METHODS & GRADING CRITERIA | 200 TOTAL COURSE POINTS

  • Participation Assignments = 55% of grade (110 points), weekly active participation/attendance
    • Active participation required during every activity class
  • Demonstration Assignments = 15% of grade (30 points), three 10-point demonstrations
    • Thursdays 2/20, 3/20, 4/24 (test dates)
  • Writing Assignments = 15% of grade (30 points), weekly active participation/attendance
    • Thursdays  2/20, 3/20, 4/24 (due dates)
  • Final Project = 15% of grade (30 points), weekly active participation/attendance
    • Thursday 5/22 POTLUCK Final 5:30pm – 7:30pm
    • You cannot achieve an “A” in this course without participating in either the POTLUCK Final OR performing in the May Dance Showcase.

Final Project must be completed on time. Late Final Project submission not accepted.

  • FINAL GRADES will be submitted to WebSmart by the first Sunday after the end of the semester.

FINAL GRADE POINT COUNT

90 ≥ = A | 80 ≥ = B | 70 ≥ = C | 60 ≥ = D | <60 = F

Note: Your default status is to receive a letter grade. If you prefer the Pass/No Pass option, you must manually opt in ASAP. A Pass is earned if your grade is equivalent to an A, B, or C grade.

CLASSROOM POLICIES

  • NO PHOTOS, VIDEO, OR USE OF ELECTRONICS DURING CLASS WITHOUT EXPLICIT PERMISSION
  • DO YOUR BEST TO BE A GREAT PARTNER. Read article on great partnering.
  • DO YOUR BEST TO PRACTICE PROPER DANCE ETIQUETTE AND PERSONAL HYGIENE. Read article on “sketchy guys and girls.”
  • NO FOOD OR DRINK ALLOWED IN STUDIO EXCEPT WATER, PREFERABLY IN REFILLABLE CONTAINER. Read article on five reasons to skip bottled water.

 SAN MATEO COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT POLICY STATEMENTS

Disability Accommodation Statement and a Note on Confidentiality

If you have a documented disability and need accommodations for this class, please see me as soon as possible or contact The Disability Resource Center (DRC) for assistance. (650) 306-3259; TDD (650) 306-3161.

A Note on Confidentiality—Students with disabilities are protected under Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).  Please understand confidentiality and do not identify the person or their disability information to other students. Taping Lecture: Students who are unable to take or read notes have the right to tape record class lectures only for their personal study.

Course and College Policies on Academic Dishonesty

“Violations or attempted violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to: cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, multiple submissions, or facilitating academic dishonesty” (Cañada College Catalog, 2017-2018).

Title IX Policy Addressing Sexual Misconduct, Harassment, and Assault

“The San Mateo County Community College District is committed to maintaining safe and caring college environments at Cañada College, College of San Mateo and Skyline College. The District has established policies and procedures regarding Sexual Misconduct, Harassment, and Assault. A District website has also been developed which provides you with important information about sexual misconduct and sexual assault, http://smccd.edu/titleix/.”

For immediate assistance and/or to report a crime, contact San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office 650.363.4911 or 9-1-1.

 DISCLAIMER

  • This syllabus provides the student general guidance in meeting course requirements. The professor will follow it as closely as possible, and reserves the right to modify its content.
  • The information provided in this course is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to substitute professional medical advice or religious counsel.
  • The professor respects student medical privacy, religious freedom, and all laws and individual liberties protected and guaranteed by the United States Constitution.
  • The professor is not a doctor, and is not attempting to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any emotional, mental, or physical condition or disease. Always seek medical advice from a licensed medical professional. Read California Law: Giving medical advice without a medical license is illegal and punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment in a county jail.
  • The professor is not an attorney and is not licensed to interpret the law. Always seek legal advice from a licensed attorney.
  • The professor is not a law enforcement officer, and understands that impersonating a law enforcement officer is a felony.
  • On August 12, 2022, the CDC updated its COVID guidance including no longer recommending social distancing, and to treat all humans equally, regardless of vax status. While the COVID recommendations keep changing, the student recognizes that the professor is not qualified to legally interpret nor legally enforce government-issued mandates, orders, executive orders, recommendations, stay-at-home orders, quarantines, or prohibitions against non-essential activities.
      • Assumption of Risk: The student expressly assumes any and all risk relating to any illness, injury, infection, economic injury, or death arising from or relating to participating in this course.
      • Waiver of Claims: The student waives and releases the professor from any and all claims, causes of action, allegations, or assertions that may arise relating to injury or infection of any person by any communicable disease, including COVID- 19, that occurs, or is alleged to occur, while participating in this course.
      • Release of Liability: The student agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold the professor harmless from any claim, demand, action or cause of action arising from the professor’s acts or omissions, while participating in this course.