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Dance
Dance is a universal language of art, at once both basic and complex. Through movement and choreography, dance transmits both the essence of a culture and the expression of the individual. As with other art forms, the study of dance involves mastery of theory, history, and applied dance (technique). The curriculum is arranged so as to give the student the best possible study in the tradition of a liberal arts environment. Students also have ample chance both to perform and to work with visiting guest artists. With a comprehensive background in dance, a major may decide to pursue a career in such diverse fields as performance or teaching or with a double major in a related field arts management, expressive arts therapy or dance medicine.
The Dance Major
The Dance Minor(s)
Course Descriptions
(Please find the requirements for Musical Theatre here. Course desscriptions for the musical theatre major will be found in Theatre, Music and Dance)
The Dance Major
(45-46 semester hours)
Required:
DANC 111 (1) Beginning Modern Dance
DANC 211 (1) Intermediate Modern Dance
DANC 221 (3) Dance History I
DANC 222 (3) Dance History II
DANC 223 (3) Introduction to Dance Composition I
DANC 224 (3) Introduction to Dance Composition II
DANC 301 (3) Intermediate Dance Composition I
DANC 302 (3) Intermediate Dance Composition II
DANC 351 (3) Anatomy and Kinesiology
DANC 415 (3) Methods of Teaching Creative Movement and Dance
DANC 467 (3) Aesthetics Dance Criticism
MUSC 107 (3) Rudiments of Music I
THTR 105 (3) Introduction to Technical Theatre I
Senior Exercise:
DANC 463 (3) Senior Project
Choose the following course twice in two different semesters:
DANC 311 (2) Advanced Modern Dance Technique
Choose 1 of the following courses:
ARMG 105 (4) Introduction to Arts Management
ARTH 115 (3) Survey of Art History I
ARTH 116 (3) Survey of Art History II
MUSC 126 (3) The Appreciation of Music
MUSC 127 (3) World Music
Any three-credit course in the studio art department
NOTES: It is expected that a student majoring in dance take one dance course each term. Applied dance technique courses are DANC 107, DANC 109, DANC 111, DANC 207, DANC 211, and DANC 311. For the major in dance, the P/CR/NC grading option may be exercised for courses taken at the 100-level only. Additional information about the P/CR/NC grading option is available under the Academic Regulations heading of the catalog.
The Dance Minor Teaching Option
(22 semester hours)
Required:
DANC 221 (3) Dance History I
DANC 222 (3) Dance History II
DANC 223 (3) Introduction to Dance Composition I
DANC 224 (3) Introduction to Dance Composition II
DANC 415 (3) Methods of Teaching Creative Movement and Dance
Choose the following course twice in two different semesters:
DANC 311 (2) Advanced Modern Dance Technique
Choose 1 of the following courses:
DANC 301 (3) Intermediate Dance Composition I
DANC 351 (3) Anatomy and Kinesiology
DANC 467 (3) Aesthetics-Dance Criticism
NOTE: For the minor in dance, the P/CR/NC grading option may be exercised for courses taken at the 100-level only. Additional information about the P/CR/NC grading option is available under the Academic Regulations section of the catalog.
The Dance Minor–Performance Option
(14 semester hours)
Required:
DANC 221 (3) Dance History I
DANC 223 (3) Introduction to Dance Composition I
Choose 3 of the following courses of which 2 must be at the 300-level or above:
DANC 107 (1) Beginning Ballet
DANC 109 (1) Beginning Jazz
DANC 111 (1) Beginning Modern Dance
DANC 207 (1) Intermediate Ballet
DANC 211 (1) Intermediate Modern Dance
DANC 311 (2) Advanced Modern Dance Technique
Choose 1 of the following courses:
DANC 222 (3) Dance History II
DANC 224 (3) Introduction to Dance Composition II
DANC 351 (3) Anatomy and Kinesiology
NOTE: For the minor in dance, the P/CR/NC grading option may be exercised for courses taken at the 100-level only. Additional information about the P/CR/NC grading option is available under the Academic Regulations heading of the catalog.
Teacher Licensure in Dance
Students seeking licensure in dance must satisfy all requirements for the major in dance, must take a special study (DANC 361) on the topic of folk dance, and must complete two additional special studies (DANC 361) on the following topics: kinesiology, and injury prevention and care for dance. See the additional professional studies requirements listed under the Department of Education.
DANC 105
Yoga I
CR:
1.0 An introduction to Hatha Yoga; working with breath, flexibility and strength. Offered alternate years. May be counted toward the major in dance, but it may not be counted toward the minor in dance. IV.3
DANC 107
Beginning Ballet
CR:
1.0 Beginning technique in ballet. May be repeated for credit. IV.3, V.6b
DANC 109
Beginning Jazz
CR:
1.0 Beginning technique in jazz dance. May be repeated for credit. IV.3, V.6b
DANC 111
Beginning Modern Dance
CR:
1.0 Beginning technique in modern dance. May be repeated for credit. IV.3, V.6b
DANC 113
Beginning Tap
Beginning technique in tap. May be repeated for credit. IV.3, V.6b
DANC 205
Yoga II
CR:
1.0 Prerequisite: DANC 105. Further study in Hatha Yoga; working with breath, flexibility, and strength. May be counted toward the major in dance, but may not be counted toward the minor in dance. IV.3
DANC 207
Intermediate Ballet
CR:
1.0 Intermediate technique in ballet. May be repeated for credit. IV.3, V.6b
DANC 211
Intermediate Modern Dance
CR:
1.0 Intermediate technique in modern dance. May be repeated for credit. IV.3, V.6b
DANC 221
Dance History I
CR:
3.0 This course covers the history of dance from prehistory to 1830 and dance in world cultures. It focuses extensively on dance in non-Western societies including Japan, China, Pacific Islands, India, Africa, aboriginal Australia, South America, Native America, early Egypt and prehistoric Europe. It includes dance in Greece, Rome, medieval, Renaissance, and the early romantic period in Europe. One field trip to see Native American dancers. Offered alternate years. V.4, V.6a
DANC 222
Dance History II
CR:
3.0 This course covers the history of dance from 1830 to the present. Romantic Ballet through Post Modern Dance is examined through historic and contemporary texts, film and video. Offered alternate years. V.1, V.6a
DANC 223
Introduction to Dance Composition I
CR:
3.0 Co-requisite: DANC 107, DANC 109, DANC 111, DANC 207, DANC 211, or DANC 311. This course includes basic elements of dance composition through analyses of rhythmic movement in terms of space, time, and energy. Emphasis is on theme and development and on enlarging personal movement vocabulary through improvisation and creation of short studies and solo dances. Topics also include music for dance, music copyright, the Sweet Briar landscape through dance, and theories of stagecraft for dance. V.6b
DANC 224
Introduction to Dance Composition II
CR:
3.0 Co-requisite: DANC 107, DANC 109, DANC 111, DANC 207, DANC 211, or DANC 311. Further development of the techniques and concepts introduced in DANC 223 including work with dances inspired by visual art, poetry, and issues of social justice; masks and mask-making for dance; props; music and music copyright law; dance elements of form, structure, and techniques of improvisation. V.6b
DANC 261
Directed Study
CR:
3.0 Prerequisites: One DANC course and permission of the instructor. The study of introductory level material by an individual student or by a small group of students under the immediate supervision of a faculty member.
DANC 301
Intermediate Dance Composition I
CR:
3.0 Prerequisites: DANC 223 and DANC 224. Co-requisite: DANC 107, DANC 109, DANC 111, DANC 207, DANC 211, or DANC 311. This course includes lectures and studio work in principles of movement as related to choreographic and performing techniques. The student will experiment with different contemporary points of view. Assignments include creation of solo and small group compositions for stage as well as optional work with dance on camera and digital production. V.6b
DANC 302
Intermediate Dance Composition II
CR:
3.0 Prerequisites: DANC 223 and DANC 224. Co-requisite: DANC 107, DANC 109, DANC 111, DANC 207, DANC 211, or DANC 311. Further development of the techniques and concepts introduced in DANC 301 including work with dance on camera, story board, camera techniques, editing, and digital production. V.6b
DANC 311
Advanced Modern Dance Technique
CR:
2.0 Prerequisite: DANC 211. Concentrated work in dance technique on the performance level. May be repeated for credit. IV.3, V.6b
DANC 351
Anatomy and Kinesiology
CR:
3.0 Prerequisite: First-year students with permission. This course covers the systematic study of skeletal and muscular systems of the human body; with anatomical analysis of basic movement patterns. It offers an introduction to somatic techniques to help develop more efficientuse of the body. Lectures and laboratory. Offered alternate years.
DANC 361
Special Study
CR:
3.0 Prerequisites: DANC 223, DANC 224, and permission of the instructor. Study projects in group choreography, dance production and in dance-related areas such as anatomy, kinesiology, methods of teaching, history and music.
DANC 377
Internship
CR:
3.0 Prerequisites: Three credits in DANC and permission of the instructor, department chair, and dean. This course is graded P/CR/NC only.
DANC 415
Methods of Teaching Creative Movement and Dance
CR:
3.0 Prerequisites: DANC 223 and DANC 224. Curriculum, principles and methods of teaching creative movement and dance in the elementary school. Topics include lesson planning, classroom management, spatial perceptions, and movement characteristics of the child through adolescence, including the handicapped and learning disabled. Includes historical perspectives on movement and dance education. Offered alternate years. III.O
DANC 461
Independent Study
CR:
3.0 Prerequisites: One 100-level DANC course, one 200-level DANC course, and permission of them instructor. Pursuit of an upper level research project determined in advance by the student in consultation with a faculty member who will act as the sponsor.
DANC 463
Senior Project
CR:
3.0 An independent project for the senior dance major resulting in the presentation of a recital and paper.
DANC 467
Aesthetics Dance Criticism
CR:
3.0 Prerequisites: DANC 221, DANC 222, DANC 223, and DANC 224. Critical study of dance works of major choreographers in different dance styles; how technique and subject, form and content converge in dance works. Visiting lecturers in philosophy and criticism. Viewing of dance films, videos and dance performances. Offered alternate years. III.W
