Overview

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  

In this six-module/week asynchronous course, participants will be introduced to the 92NY DEL Tracing Footsteps - Journey into Jazz Dance: Let’s Swing! K- 12 curriculum which examines the roots of African American vernacular jazz dance and the emergence of the Lindy Hop in the ballrooms of New York’s Harlem in the 1920s-1940s. In addition, the curriculum acknowledges the lineage of key dance, music, and African American cultural traditions that created the foundation of contemporary jazz dance forms.

Each week, participants will experience the rich history of the roots of Jazz dance through embodied practice, exploring components of the Let’s Swing! Lindy grade-band-specific dance units and content, engage in culturally responsive practices, identify innovative instructional practices, and apply the DEL model to collaborative dance-making and applications. Through embodied practice, collective inquiry, and exposure to a wide range of resources (guest dance artists and facilitators, video tutorials, and visually stimulating materials), participants will bring dance history to life.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 

Students will:

·        Engage with and embody components of the Tracing Footsteps Journey Into Jazz: Let’s Swing! curriculum 

·        Learn strategies for exploring cultural and vernacular dance forms through social, political, and historical investigation

·        Deepen their understanding of the origins of jazz dance and Lindy Hop as distinctly African American art forms

·        Apply new insights gained from the Tracing Footsteps course content into research and practice

Course Format: Asynchronous – All course material online! Students receive access to all course materials for 1 Year.

Prerequisites: None

Study Options: Independent Study ($190) or Facilitated Study ($380)

Independent Study – Cost: $190 (+$25 processing fee)

Independent Study courses offer students the freedom to learn at their own pace, allowing them to dedicate as much or as little time to the material as they choose. With no set deadlines, students have full control over the timing and progression of their learning. This format is best suited for those who prefer to study independently and autonomously. Students will retain access to course materials for one year, providing ample opportunity to revisit and review content at their convenience.

Facilitated Study – Cost: $380 (+35 processing fee)

Facilitated Study courses offer a more structured and interactive learning experience, ideal for students who value consistent feedback, community engagement, and a clear course timeline. Students will submit weekly assignments, along with a final assignment, and receive written feedback from facilitators. Courses may include discussion boards for peer interaction and all feature a mid-course Zoom meeting where students can meet their cohort, engage with peers, and connect directly with the course facilitator for additional support and guidance. Designed for students who thrive in a guided, collaborative setting, this format requires approximately 3 hours of engagement per week. Additionally, all Facilitated Study courses are eligible for undergraduate credit through DEL’s partnership with SUNY Empire State University for a separate and additional fee. Facilitated Study Course Dates: August 17 – September 27, 2026, with final assignments due October 11, 2026.

Credits:

Students may take this course for SUNY Empire State University credit for a separate and additional fee, and will receive 4 undergraduate credits.

Educators can also receive New York State CTLE credits for completed DEL courses.

Discounts:

·        NYCDOE dance specialists get 50% off every DEL course.

·        NYCDOE common branch teachers get 10% off every DEL course.

·        NYCDOE Arnhold New Teachers get DEL courses free for their first and second year teaching in the DOE.

Scholarships: Scholarships are available through 92NY. General 92NY scholarship information and applications.

Must register by Wednesday, August 12, 2026.

QUESTIONS? Please reach out.

Photo by Danica Paulos for Nel Shelby Productions