Information Package / Course Catalogue
Rhythm and Tradition: Turkish Folk Dances
Course Code: ÇGE137
Course Type: Non Departmental Elective
Couse Group: Short Cycle (Associate's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 2
Prt.: 0
Credit: 2
Lab: 0
ECTS: 4
Objectives of the Course

The aim of this course is to enable students to recognize Turkish folk dances as an important element of cultural heritage; to develop their rhythm, coordination, teamwork, and body awareness skills; and to help them learn basic folk dance figures from different regions through practical application and to showcase them on stage.

Course Content

This course covers the historical and cultural development of Turkish folk dances, their regional characteristics, basic rhythm and movement studies, and the fundamental figures of different folk dance types. Through practical activities, students develop their individual and group dance skills while experiencing the cultural context of folk dances through elements such as music, costumes, and stage design. The goal is for students to perform the choreographies they have learned throughout the semester as a team by the end of the course.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Learning Outcomes
1.This section describes the historical, cultural, and artistic characteristics of Turkish folk dances, particularly the Zeybek culture of the Aydın and Aegean regions.
2.They perform the basic rhythms, postures, steps, and figures specific to Zeybek dances with correct technique.
3.Folk dances allow participants to develop body coordination, sense of rhythm, and movement harmony, enabling them to perform individually.
4.As part of group work, they collaborate with team members to adapt to the choreography and stage design.
5.Using the knowledge and skills they have acquired throughout the term, they plan and perform a show consisting of Zeybek dances from the Aydın region in front of an audience.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.TURKISH FOLK DANCES IN ALL THEIR ASPECTS / Mustafa Kaya
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
The course includes an introduction to the cultural significance of folk dances, the Aydın region, and the historical development of the Zeybek tradition.
Week 2 - Theoretical & Practice
Zeybek music, rhythmic structure, costume culture, posture, and fundamental body language.
Week 3 - Theoretical & Practice
Warm-up exercises, balance, coordination, basic walking and posture techniques.
Week 4 - Theoretical & Practice
Arm movements, footwork, and execution of basic figures.
Week 5 - Theoretical & Practice
Reinforcing basic figures and working on transitions between figures.
Week 6 - Theoretical & Practice
Individual exercises with music, tempo and synchronization drills.
Week 7 - Theoretical & Practice
Combining learned figures and creating short combinations.
Week 8 - Theoretical & Practice
Individual performance assessments and technical feedback.
Week 9 - Theoretical & Practice
Teamwork, stage setup, and coordination exercises.
Week 10 - Theoretical & Practice
Stage performances
Week 11 - Theoretical & Practice
Stage performances
Week 12 - Theoretical & Practice
Stage performances
Week 13 - Theoretical & Practice
Stage performances
Week 14 - Theoretical & Practice
Stage performances
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Final Examination1%100
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory114115
Lecture - Practice114115
Assignment114216
Presentation 18210
Individual Work141128
Final Examination114216
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)100
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
PÇ-8
PÇ-9
PÇ-10
OÇ-1
2
1
2
OÇ-2
2
2
1
OÇ-3
3
2
1
OÇ-4
2
2
5
2
OÇ-5
3
3
4
2
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026