Middlebury dancers practice.

Consistent with its liberal arts mission, the Dance Department offers a rich set of eight foundational courses required of all dance majors.

Beyond these shared foundational courses, students take additional courses specific to one of three tracks: Choreography and Performance, Production and Technology, and Theory and Aesthetics. 

Foundational Courses

The eight foundational classes are as follows:

  • ARDV 0116 (Creative Process)
  • DANC 0260 (Technique & Composition)                                
  • DANC 0261 (Improvisational Practices)
  • DANC 0284 (Dance History)
  • DANC 0360 (Choreography & Performance)
  • DANC 0376 (Anatomy and Kinesiology)
  • DANC 0500 (Research Methods)
  • DANC 0700 (Senior Work)

Track Courses

The track-specific courses are as follows:

Choreography and Performance

This track represents the core curriculum of the Dance Department for students primarily focused on contemporary approaches to technique, composition, and performance. The culminating senior work in this track will consist of formal concert work and a written thesis.

  • DANC 0361 (Movement and Media)
  • DANC 0460 (Performance & Production)
  • DANC 0470 (Technique Workshop)

Production and Technology

This track represents a directed course of study for students primarily focused on the skills and methods of dance production and media, digital representations of the body, and current innovations and aesthetic models presented by the confluence of dance and the digital age. The culminating senior work in this track will involve all elements of the production of a design-focused concert work and a written thesis.

  • DANC 0361 (Movement and Media) (This course is in place of DANC 0360)
  • DANC 0370 (Production Workshop)

Two additional elective courses from the following disciplines (by advisor approval):

  • Studio Art
  • Architecture Studies
  • Theatre
  • Film and Media Culture

Suggested Elective Courses

  • Studio Art: ART 0156, ART 0200. ART 0380, ART 0388
  • Architectural Studies: HARC 0130, HARC 0218, HARC 0230, HARC 0231, HARC 0243, HARC 0267, HARC 0301, HARC 0338, HARC 1230
  • Theatre: ARDV 0111, ARDV 0113, ARDV 0205, ARDV 0221, ARDV 0238, ARDV 1190
  • Film and Media Culture: FMMC 0101, FMMC 0105, FMMC 0201, FMMC 0220, FMMC 0267, FMMC 0301, FMMC 0320, FMMC 0358, FMMC 0361

Dance Studies—Theory and Aesthetics

This track represents a directed course of study for students interested in dance as a focus for scholarly work and theoretical inquiry. They will develop the ability to articulate the interdisciplinary and intercultural aspects of dance, as well as write about the potential of the moving body to both reflect and impact culture. The culminating senior work in this track will take the form a public lecture and written thesis.

Two additional elective courses from the following disciplines (by advisor approval):

  • English and American Literatures
  • History
  • Philosophy
  • Sociology/Anthropology

Suggested Elective Courses

  • English: ENGL 0115, ENGL 0205, ENGL 0215, ENGL 0217, ENGL 0222, ENGL 0227
  • History: HIST 0117, HIST 0205, HIST 0210, HIST 0222, HIST 0225, HIST 0307
  • Philosophy: PHIL 0198, PHIL 0205, PHIL 0233, PHIL 0234, PHIL 0235, PHIL 0250, PHIL 0252
  • Sociology: SOCI 0103, SOCI 0105, SOCI 0109, SOCI 0191, SOCI 0211, SOCI 0215, SOCI 0218, SOCI 0235
  • Anthropology: ANTH 0103, ANTH 0109, ANTH 0159, ANTH 0211, ANTH 0274, ANTH 0287, ANTH 0302, ANTH 0304

Joint Major Requirements

  • ARDV 0116 (Creative Process)
  • DANC 0260 (Technique & Composition)
  • DANC 0261 (Improvisational Practices)
  • DANC 0284 (Dance History)
  • DANC 0360 (Choreography & Performance)                            
  • DANC 0376 (Anatomy and Kinesiology)
  • DANC 0500 (Research Methods)
  • DANC 0700 (Senior Work) (to be taken simultaneously with DANC 0500)

Minor Requirements

  • ARDV 0116 (Creative Process)
  • DANC 0260 (Technique & Composition)
  • DANC 0261 (Improvisational Practices)
  • DANC 0284 (Dance History)
  • DANC 0360 (Choreography & Performance)                    
  • DANC 0376 (Anatomy and Kinesiology) 

Department Honors

Honors or high honors are awarded to graduating seniors in the Dance Department based upon a grade point average of A– or better in department and cognate courses, a grade of A– or better on the DANC 0700 Senior Independent Project, and overall distinction in the program. Normally only full majors will be eligible for high honors.