AQA A-Level Dance set works and areas of study: a complete overview of Rambert, American jazz dance, key practitioners and contextual study

What set works and areas of study demand

The set works and areas of study are the professional-dance knowledge tested in Component 2 (Critical engagement). You study two areas of study: the compulsory Rambert (with a compulsory set work studied in depth) and one further area from AQA's list, such as the development of American jazz dance. For each you must know its practitioners, works, defining features, and the cultural, historical and choreographic context that shaped it, then analyse, interpret and evaluate works with specific evidence.

This guide walks through the four areas in order, then sets out how this knowledge is examined. Each area has a matching dot-point page with practice questions; this overview ties them together.

Rambert as the compulsory area of study

Rambert, founded by Marie Rambert, is the compulsory area of study and one of the most influential British dance companies. You study its history and development, including its shift from a classical-ballet base toward contemporary and modern dance and its role in nurturing leading choreographers, and within it a compulsory set work in depth: its choreographic intention, constituent features and context. The exam rewards specific analysis of the set work, not just company history.

The development of American jazz dance

One option for the second area of study is the development of American jazz dance (1940 to 1975), a style rooted in African and African American social and vernacular dance that developed alongside jazz music, musical theatre and film into a theatrical and concert form. Defining features include isolations, syncopation and polyrhythm, a low centre of gravity, contractions and a strong relationship to the music, all connected to the cultural and historical context of the period.

Key practitioners and styles

Each area is built around key practitioners: the choreographers, performers and companies who defined it. For each, know their distinctive style and movement vocabulary, their influences and context, and their signature works. A practitioner's style is shaped by their training, influences and intentions, and understanding it lets you explain why a work looks the way it does and evaluate how well the style serves the choreographic intention. Recite style and its effect on the movement, not just biography.

Contextual study of a set work

A set work is studied in depth and in context. You need its choreographic intention and constituent features, plus the cultural, historical, social and production context (how, when, why and for whom it was made, including company and collaborators). The skill is connecting features to context and using that connection to analyse, interpret and evaluate, rather than listing context as a separate paragraph.

How this knowledge is examined

A typical AQA profile for the set-works and areas-of-study content in Component 2:

• Analysis of constituent features. Accurate description of movement, dancers, physical and aural setting in named works.
• Interpretation and intention. Explaining how features communicate the choreographic intention of a set work.
• Evaluation in context. Justified judgements about effectiveness, linked to cultural, historical and choreographic context and supported by specific evidence.
• Practitioner knowledge. Using a practitioner's style and influences to explain and evaluate their works.

Check your knowledge

A mix of recall and applied questions covering the set works and areas of study. Attempt them, then check against the solutions.

1. How many areas of study do you study, and which is compulsory? (2 marks)
2. Who founded Rambert and why is the company significant? (2 marks)
3. State three defining features of American jazz dance. (3 marks)
4. Explain what you must know about each key practitioner. (3 marks)
5. Name two types of context used to study a set work. (2 marks)
6. Explain the difference between a choreographic device and a practitioner's style. (2 marks)
7. Explain why context should be connected to features rather than listed separately. (3 marks)
8. State what production context includes. (2 marks)