Dance Courses

Dance

Dance Courses

View Degree Requirements on Academic Advising Page


Dance Option: 60 credits

Students intending to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Visual and Performing Arts with a Dance option must complete 60 credit hours: 48 in Dance/Theatre, 9 in VAPA, and 3 within another VAPA option for a cross-disciplinary component.

Lower Division Requirements: 13 credits

  • THTR 1000: Introduction to Theatre
  • THTR 2000: Introduction to Technical Theatre
  • THTR 2020: Acting Workshop I
  • DNCE 2700: Fundamentals of Dance Technique

Upper Division Requirements: 12 credits

  • DNCE 3201: Topics in Early Dance History
  • DNCE 3202: Topics in Contemporary Dance History
  • DNCE 4700: Dance Composition I
  • DNCE 4710: Dance Composition II

Practicum Requirements: 5 credits

5 productions, 1 credit each. At least one occurrence of each section, DNCE 3390, 3391, 3392, 4393: dance, tech, choreography and Dance Capstone.

Electives: 18 credits

Students must complete 18 credits of dance electives, 12 of which must be upper division.

VAPA Requirements: 9 credits

  • 3 credits VAPA 1000 level
  • 6 credits VAPA 3000 level

Cross-Disciplinary Requirement: 3 credits

2000 / 3000 / 4000 level courses in Art History, Film Studies, Music or Visual Art. May be lower or upper division, in consultation with program director.

 


Dance Minor Requirements

3 Required Lower Division Courses (9 credits)

  • THTR 1000: Introduction to Theatre
  • DNCE 2700: Fundamentals of Dance Technique
  • THTR 2020: Acting Workshop 1

2 Required Upper Division Courses in DNCE Topics (6 credits)

Select From:

  • DNCE 3700: Special Topic in Dance Technique
  • DNCE 3710: Modern Dance
  • DNCE 3720: Modern II
  • DNCE 3730: Jazz
  • DNCE 3740: Ballet

2 Required Upper Division Courses in DNCE Choreography (6 Credits)

Select From:

  • DNCE 4700: Dance Composition
  • DNCE 4710: Dance Composition 2
  • DNCE/MUS 4900: Special Topics in Music and Dance

Current description of degree requirements

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 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 3710 - Basic Modern Dance Technique I

3 Credits (Minimum) 3 Credits (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. The course will culminate in a modern dance performance. Additional outside work required. Prer., DNCE 2700 or consent of instructor.

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 3740 - Ballet Dance Technique

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. 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 3800 - Contemporary Styles: Jazz, Lyrical, and Modern Dance

3 Credits (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 4700 - Dance Composition

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 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.