Dance, B.A.

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Description

Dance majors engage in high-quality physical training in contemporary dance forms, with additional dance styles and bodywork/somatic techniques to complement technical development. The Dance major includes the study of the history and aesthetics of dance taught from a global perspective, creative process and choreography, pedagogy, and dance training leading to ample performance opportunities in a variety of venues that connect students to the larger communities in which to make, practice and share their art.

What careers can this major prepare you for?

A dance major prepares students for continued education in MFA and PhD dance programs as well as offers opportunities for employment as: Professional Performer, Choreographer, Dance Educator/Instructor, Dance Therapist, Business Owner (e.g., Dance Studio), Bodywork Practitioner (e.g, Pilates, Yoga, etc.), Artistic Director, Costume Designer, Lighting Designer, Stage Manager, Arts Administrator/Manager, Facilities Coordinator. Dance majors may customize their coursework to prepare them for employment or further study in related fields such as: Health & Fitness, Healthcare (e.g., Performing Arts Medicine), Arts Advocacy, Marketing, Public Relations, Film & Photography, Technology.

What skills are developed within this major?

The dance major develops 21st-century skills: creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication. Because a dance major engages in embodied practices, both technical and artistic, skills developed include: increased self-awareness and the ability to be a reflective thinker, discipline to achieve both personal and group goals, work habits that cultivate curiosity, imagination, and evaluative skills, ability to engage in interpersonal dialogue, problem solving, and collaboration, appreciation of multiple perspectives, ability to create and share new ideas and solve problems, willingness to operate outside of personal comfort zone, and mindful awareness in efficient movement practices.

Choice of Two Curricular Tracks:

Creative Process and Performance
Dance in Community

Hours Required for Degree

Minimum hours required for the major: 67

College Requirements

See college page for college requirements.

Major-Field Requirements

The Dance major consists of the successful completion of 67 credit hours, several of which also fulfill the University General Education Requirements. The required courses are distributed as follows:

Core Courses (23 credits)

Required for both Creative Process and Performance Track and Dance in Community Track

DAN 201 - Introduction To Dance
DAN 211 - Dance History
DAN 301 - Dance Composition I: Creative Process
DAN 324 - Somatic Techniques
DAN 324 must be taken twice
DAN 330 - Dance Kinesiology
DAN 410 - Teaching Dance
DAN 494 - Special Topics Dance
DAN 495 - Special Topics Dance
DAN 499 - Special Topics in Dance
Students need to take a combination of Special Topics courses totaling a minimum of 5 credits.
DAN 493 - Senior Project

Notes:

DAN 211 fulfills the WAC in major requirement
DAN 493 fulfills the Capstone requirement

Creative Process and Performance Track

Technique Courses (28 credits)

Contemporary Modern Technique Courses (16 credits)

Students must complete a minimum of 4 credits of level IV (DAN 460 ) Contemporary Modern Dance competency.

The additional 12 credits can be made up of any combination of the following:

Ballet Technique Courses (8 credits)

Students must complete a minimum of 4 credits of level III (DAN 370 ) or level IV (DAN 470 ) Ballet competency.

The additional 4 credits required can be made up of any combination of the following:

Technique Electives (4 credits)

4 credits can be made up of any combination of the following:

Additional Required Courses (16 credits)

DAN 300 - Dance Repertory and Performance
Students in the Creative Process and Performance track are required to take DAN 300 4 times. This course is taken concurrently with Contemporary Modern Dance III or IV.
DAN 302 - Dance Composition II: Creative Product
THE 200 - Principles of Technical Theatre
THE 303 - Design Technology for the Theatre

Dance in Community Track

Technique Courses (20 credits)

Contemporary Modern Technique Courses (10 credits)

Students must complete a minimum of 4 credits of level III (DAN 360 ) or level IV (DAN 460 ) Contemporary Modern Dance competency.

The additional 6 credits can be made up of any combination of the following:

Ballet Technique Courses (4 credits)

4 credits can be made up of any combination of the following:

Technique Electives (6 credits)

6 credits can be made up of any combination of the following:

Additional Required Courses (24 credits)

Additional DAN Courses (6 credits)

Students in the Dance in Community track are required to take a total of 4 credits of dance performance coursework from the following options:

DAN 200 - Performance Practicum - This course may be taken twice and must be taken concurrently with Contemporary Modern II.
DAN 300 - Dance Repertory and Performance - This course may be taken twice and must be taken concurrently with Contemporary Modern Dance III or IV.

DAN 355 - Dance in Community

Multidisciplinary Courses (18 credits)

Choice of 6 courses, totaling a minimum of 18 credit hours, will serve students’ identified interests across additional disciplines.

Note about repeating DAN courses:

Many of the DAN technique courses can be repeated for credit. Please see the course catalog for more information on credit limits of specific courses.

Students can earn a maximum of 12 credits in DAN 300.

8 credits are required for the Creative Process and Performance track
4 credits are required for the Dance in Community track

Additional credits earned in DAN courses will count toward total credits and/or upper-division credits required for the baccalaureate degree, but will not be applied to the 67 hours required for the major.