Dance Course Descriptions

DNCE 1000

Dance Appreciation: From Ballet to Beyoncé

3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

This introductory course focuses on the role of dance as part of human identity. How does dance affect you? How do different cultures use dance to communicate, express, protest, and celebrate? How does dance intersect with visual arts, music, theater? Approved for LAS Humanities area requirement. Approved for Compass Curriculum requirement: Explore- Arts, Humanities, and Cultures.

DNCE 2700

Fundamentals of Dance Technique

3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

An introduction to dance technique. Students will focus on technique exercises, stretching, body alignment, choreography, and movement explorations. The course is a beginning dance class and the foundation for other dance classes. Additional outside work required. Approved for Compass Curriculum requirement: Explore-Arts, Humanities, and Cultures.

DNCE 2720

Modern Dance I

3 Credit (Minimum) 3 Credit (Maximum)

The class is designed to provide a foundation of modern dance technique. Students will experience full dance classes consisting of warm-up, technique exercises, stretching, body alignment, center exercises and cool down. Students will also participate in movement explorations through improvisation.. Additional outside work required. Approved for Compass Curriculum requirements: Explore-Arts, Humanities, and Cultures. Prer., DNCE 2700 or consent of instructor.

DNCE 2740

Ballet I

3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

Introduces the basic techniques of ballet, which are built upon knowledge of ballet terminology, fundamental exercises, and the basic elements of dance. Focuses on movement-oriented dance, comprised of stretching, barre warm-up exercises, simple terre a terre and jumping steps, and basic extended positions. Additional outside work required. Approved for Compass Curriculum requirements: Explore-Arts, Humanities, and Cultures. Prer., DNCE 2700 or consent of instructor.

DNCE 2770

Afro-Brazilian Dances

3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

Studio course that introduces the movement vocabulary, cultural, and social aspects of specific styles of Afro-Brazilian Dances: Jongo, Côco de Roda, Caboclinhos, and Orixá Dances. Readings, video viewing, writing, and in-class creative projects will inform the main focus of the course, movement exploration. Approved for Compass Curriculum requirement: Inclusiveness (Global/Diversity).

DNCE 2900

Special Topics in Dance Technique

3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

Focus is on various forms of dance. Each semester the course will use technique, research, and performance to highlight a specific dance genre. For both beginners and advanced. No prerequisites for this course.

DNCE 3201

Topics in Early Dance History

3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

The course explores special topics related to the history of dance ranging from ancient times to the end of the 19th century. The course examines key topics in Western theatrical dance history as well as Transnational forms. Prer., DNCE 2700.

DNCE 3202

Topics in Contemporary Dance History

3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

The course explores special topics related to modern and postmodern history of dance, mainly from the 20th century. The course examines key topics in Western theatrical dance history as well as Transnational forms. Prer., DNCE 2700.

DNCE 3390

Dance Performance Practicum

1 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

Students will receive practical experience as a dancer in a project approved by the program. Enrollment by audition and/or permission of instructor. Prer., DNCE 2700 or consent of instructor.

DNCE 3391

Dance Technical Practicum

1 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

Students will receive practical experience as a technician in a project approved by the program. Enrollment by audition and/or permission of instructor. Prer., DNCE 2700 or consent of instructor.

DNCE 3392

Dance Choreography Practicum

1 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

Students will receive practical experience as a choreographer or assistant choreographer in a project approved by the program. Enrollment by audition and/or permission of instructor. Prer., DNCE 2700 or consent of instructor.

DNCE 3700

Special Topics in Dance Technique

3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

Focus is on various forms of dance. Each semester the course will use technique, research, and performance to highlight a specific dance genre. Prer., DNCE 2700 or THTR 2700. Meets with THTR 3700.

DNCE 3720

Advanced Modern Dance

3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

The class is designed for dancers who are at an intermediate to advanced level in modern dance technique and is a continuation of DNCE 3710. Students will participate in movement explorations where they can creatively engage the fundamentals of space, time and force through improvisation. The course will culminate in a modern dance performance. Additional outside work required. Prer., DNCE 2700, DNCE 3710, or consent of instructor.

DNCE 3730

Jazz Dance Technique

3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

Introduces the basic techniques of jazz dance, which are built upon knowledge of jazz terminology, rhythm, fundamental exercises, and the basic elements of dance. The course will culminate in a jazz dance performance. Additional outside work required. Prer., DNCE 2700 or consent of instructor.

DNCE 3750

Tap Dance

3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

An introduction to the basic techniques of tap dance that progresses through intermediate and advanced terminology. In addition to performance, the class considers tap history and its position as an American art form. Prer., DNCE 2700.

DNCE 3760

Hip Hop

3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

This course explores specific technique, vocabulary, creative processes, musicality and dynamics of hip hop. Styles include dancing, locking, popping, hip hop and house techniques, as well as historical contexts. Prer., DNCE 2700.

DNCE 3770

Samba

3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

Samba is an umbrella term that encompasses different Afro-Brazilian dances. This studio course introduces the movement vocabulary, cultural, and social aspects of specific styles of Samba. Readings, video viewing, writing, and in-class creative projects will inform movement exploration. Prer., DNCE 2770 or DNCE 2700.

DNCE 3800

Contemporary Styles: Jazz, Lyrical, and Modern Dance

3 Credit (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

With a particular emphasis on jazz, lyrical, and modern styles, this course considers a range of contemporary dance techniques and assesses their overlaps and influences on one another. The course culminates in a presentation. Prer., DNCE 2700.

DNCE 4393

Dance Capstone

1 Credit (Minimum) 1 Credits (Maximum)

Students will receive practical experience in a culminating project that will be adjudicated by the Theatre and Dance faculty. Enrollment by audition and/or permission of instructor. Prer., DNCE 2700 or consent of instructor.

DNCE 4700

Dance Composition I

3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

Students will study and apply the basic choreographic elements that go into creating an original dance. In a laboratory type setting, students will work on developing their own artistic voices through short movement compositions as well as give critique to others. Additional outside work required. Prer., DNCE 2700 or consent of instructor.

DNCE 4710

Dance Composition 2

3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

Students study and apply advanced choreographic elements that go into creating an original dance. Building on level one composition, this culminating course ends with a dance showcase. Prer., DNCE 4700.

DNCE 4720

Modern Dance II

3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

Building on modern dance foundations, this class introduces dancers to advance principles and exercises. Students will participate in movement explorations where they can creatively engage the fundamentals of space, time and force through improvisation. Culminates in a modern dance performance. Additional outside work required. Prer., DNCE 2720.

DNCE 4740

Ballet II

3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

Building on ballet foundations, this class introduces dancers to advanced ballet principles and exercises intended to develop harmony, stylistic specificity and artistry. Excerpts from the classical repertoire will be used to promote musicality and artistic expression. Prer., DNCE 3740.

DNCE 4900

Spec Tpcs in Music and Dance

3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (Maximum)

Through the study of historical and contemporary convergences across music, sound, dance and movement, students will develop collaborative languages and methods in order to build and articulate original works. Topics will vary each semester. Prer., DNCE 2700 or consent of instructor. Meets with MUS 4900.