Dance

Designed for students who have little or no prior dance training, this course is an introduction to basic dance movements and technique principals common to ballet, jazz, and modern dance. This course teaches foundational skills of alignment, movement articulation, weight transfer, locomotion, and execution of dance sequences.

A beginning level study of tap dance technique including traditional vocabulary, contemporary vocabulary, development of style, improvisation, fundamentals of music, polyrhythms and choreography.

A basic study of ballet including its vocabulary, technique, history and performance.

An introduction to international folk dances, American square dances and contemporary Country-Western dances.

A basic study of modern dance including warm-up, alignment, technique, history and performance.

A basic study of jazz dance including warm-up, isolations, technique and history.

A basic study of the movement vocabulary and technique of many of the cultural, social, and ritual dances of Africa. The class will be accompanied with traditional African percussion music.

A basic study of the movement and culture of dance techniques found throughout the world. Techniques studied will include, but not be limited to, Latin, Indian, and Asian dance forms. Each semester course offered will focus on one technique and will be selected by the Dance Program.

An experiential study of the expressiveness of one's own movement vocabulary based on the skill of moving spontaneously.

This course introduces students to various styles of dance technique, professional practices, professional opportunities, dance composition, dance production, and writing about dance. Dance techniques will be explored at a low-intermediate level, therefore experience in one or more styles of modern, ballet, and/or jazz is recommended.

Special topics course offered in response to student and faculty interest.

Through a broad survey of different genres of dance, students will gain an appreciation of the way this art form reflects social and historical experiences. The course will include lectures, readings, and opportunities to see dance through video, observations and live performances.

This course provides a thorough foundation in the physical, breathing and mindfulness practices of yoga as a means to augment and enrich dance training. Utilizing yoga postures and vinyasa flow, dancers will train their bodies in a balanced way, thus gaining muscular strength and flexibility in areas of the body under-addressed in conventional dance training. This enables fully integrated movement, increases range of motion and helps prevent injury. Through breath awareness practices the dancer develops greater breath capacity and control. Through mindfulness practices, the dancer develops mental concentration needed for class, rehearsal, and stage performance.

A post-beginning level study of tap dance technique including traditional vocabulary, contemporary vocabulary, development of style, improvisation, fundamentals of music, polyrhythms and choreography.

A low-intermediate level study of ballet technique.

This is an opportunity for dance students to gain rehearsal and performance experience by working with choreography students who are enrolled in DAN-356, Dance Composition II. Students will learn, rehearse, and perform in assigned compositional studies. Rehearsal time outside of class will be required.

A low-intermediate level study of modern dance technique.

A low-intermediate level study of jazz dance technique.

An introductory course to the basic elements of solo modern dance choreography, including the use of space, time, energy, abstraction, motif and development, basic form, and the selection of music.

A unique approach to movement and postural re-education through increasing body awareness, breathing techniques, and stress reduction techniques. Students will learn to identify and correct inefficient movement patterns and establish better mechanical balance of their skeletal structure.

A course designed to involve further exploration of spontaneous movement. In the process of honing improvisation skills, students will refine their understanding of improvisation as a medium for both performance and for self-understanding.

This class integrates the understanding of concepts within Lab analysis and Bartenieff Fundamentals with the development of intermediate-level modern dance technique. Students will discover the fundamental aesthetic and functional elements of human movement, working toward the thorough embodiment and accurate observation of these elements in dance activities. Learning methods will include discussions, readings, experiential-based movement explorations, observations, and technical practice of modern dance. 

A study of the basic principles underlying the relationship between music and dance. Topics covered will include musical notation, musical terminology, basic accompaniment, teacher/accompanist relationships, and relationships between choreography and music.

Special topics course offered in response to student and faculty interest.

An introduction to the process and practice of lighting design, sound design, costume design, state management, backstage operations, and front of house procedures for dance productions with particular focus on dance in arts education settings. Emphasis will be placed on the relationship between production practices and the artistic process.

An introductory course that surveys modes of inquiry in current dance scholarship. Specific attention is given to research design, methodological approaches and theoretical frameworks in dance research.

An introduction to theories, methods and ethics of aesthetic inquiry. Students will formulate an original research project that will culminate in a research paper and/or performance work.

An intermediate level study of tap dance technique including traditional vocabulary, contemporary vocabulary, development of style, improvisation, fundamentals of music, polyrhythms and choreography.

An advanced-intermediate level study of ballet technique with focus on the fine tuning of physical and performing skills.

This course is designed to provide opportunities for student dancers to work with faculty choreographers in the creation of a performance piece for a dance concert. Emphasis is placed on developing performance skills and engaging in the choreographic process from inception to completion.

An advanced-intermediate level study of modern dance technique with focus on the use of dynamics, phrasing, strength and range.

An advanced-intermediate level study of jazz dance technique with focus on the fine tuning of physical and performing skills.

The study of modern dance choreography for groups. Using improvisation, assigned movement problems, and viewings of 20th-century modern dance choreography, students will learn the process of crafting the basic elements of choreography into group form. 

This techniques class integrates the understanding of somatic principles with the development of intermediate-level modern dance technique. Students will discover ease and efficiency in movement, develop movement virtuosity, adopt practices to prevent injury, and expand their ability to express a wide range of movement dynamics. In deepening one's mastery of modern dance, the application of somatic practice promotes integrating physical, emotional, anatomical, and aesthetic understanding through conceptual and experiential practice. Learning methods will include discussions, readings, experiential-based movement explorations, hands on guidance, and technical practice of modern dance.

A survey of the development of western theatrical dance from the 19th century to the present, with particular emphasis on 20th century ballet and modern dance in the United States. Through visual and verbal texts, lecture, discussion, and critical response writings, students will become familiar with major artists, their philosophies, and the social contexts in which they worked.

This course expands upon the study of aesthetic and functional elements of human movement begun in DAN-260, Movement Analysis. In DAN-360, Movement Structure and Function we focus on conceptual and experiential understanding of basic anatomical, mechanical, and somatic principles that underlie dance technique. Through readings, discussions, movement explorations, observations, imagery visualizations, and technical practice of modern dance, we will develop knowledge of anatomical function and deepen kinesthetic awareness. 

Special topics course offered in response to student and faculty interest.

An advanced level study of tap dance technique including traditional vocabulary, contemporary vocabulary, development of style, improvisation, fundamentals of music, polyrhythms and choreography.

An advanced-intermediate level study of contemporary dance technique with emphasis on dynamic phrasing, musicality, spatial awareness and performance skills.

An advanced level study of ballet technique with focus on the refinement of physical and performing skill.

An advanced level study of modern dance technique with emphasis on the use of dynamics, phrasing, strength and ranges.

An advanced level of study of jazz dance technique with emphasis on the rhythmic phrasing, range and performance.

A performing company which encourages exploration of the creative process through student choreography, as well as the performance of works by faculty and guest choreographers.

An opportunity for students to gain practical experience in teaching. Students will work one-on-one with a dance faculty member on topics that may include, but are not limited to, structure of a class, student/teacher interaction, anatomy of concepts and movements, verbal and visual imagery, conveying technical and qualitative ideas, and group versus individual feedback. 

An opportunity for students to gain practical experience in such areas as somatics, arts administration, video for dance, and others.

An opportunity for students to gain practical experiences in performance through rehearsing, contributing to the choreographic process, and reflecting on performance roles in a dance to be performed in a formal concert.

An opportunity for students to gain practical experience in choreography through casting, creating, rehearsing, and producing a dance to be performed in a formal concert. Course may be repeated for credit.

An opportunity for students to gain practical experience in technical theatre for dance by working on a production team as a stage manager, light board operator, sound board operator, or backstage crew for one or more dance concerts.

This practicum is designed as a field teaching experience in private studio teaching. Emphasis is placed on students gaining experience in observing, assisting, teaching, and evaluating teaching skills. Students will also research marketing, communication, advertising, and performance production within their practicum experience. Pass/Fail grading only.

A supervised experience in arts administration with an approved arts organization, government agency, or arts event production team. Areas of focus can include, but are not limited to office management, event production, organization development and advancement, grant writing marketing and promotion, audience development, and advocacy, etc. Through this internship students will gain professional experience and will connect their applied experience with the knowledge and skills studied in their discipline. Students will fulfill 40 hours per credit hour as approved by the professor.

Special topics course offered in response to student and faculty interest.

An introduction to theories, methods and ethics of aesthetic inquiry. Students will formulate an original research project that will culminate in a research paper and/or performance work. The project must meet Honors Program thesis requirements as well as the expectations of the dance faculty.

An introduction to theories, methods and ethics of aesthetic inquiry. Students will formulate an original research project that will culminate in a research paper and/or performance work.

This course provides an academic connection to and context for students in a supervised internship with a professional or semi-professional dance company as either company assistant, apprentices, or full company members. Students will work 40 hours per credit hour as part of the company in identified performance areas including but not limited to rehearsal preparation, rehearsal, performance preparation, performance, and post production.

An advanced experience in dance performance designed for students performing dance repertory by faculty or professional choreographers in on-campus or off-campus venues, or by students in professional venues such as the American College Dance Festival. Students must work 40 hours per credit in rehearsal, rehearsal preparation, performance, and post performance reflection.

A focus on the theoretical foundations for dance education. Students come to understand the relationship between theory and practice of dance education through observations, reflection, and discussion. Attention is given to the relationship between the theories of teaching and methods used as they relate to stated goals. 

A study of teaching methods for dance in public school settings, grounded in an investigation of the theoretical foundations for dance education. Content includes readings, observations, reflection, writing lesson plans, exploring and experiencing teaching approaches, and examining methods of evaluation.

A course designed to provide the student with directed field experience in teaching dance. Course assignments will offer practical preparation for the teaching internship and theoretical grounding to support the student’s individual teaching philosophy. Course content includes readings with written reflection, developing lesson plans, guided teaching experiences, and evaluation. Emphasis is placed on critical reflection about teaching and learning.