Requirements
Consistent with its liberal arts mission, the Dance Department offers a rich set of five 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
There are Five Foundational Courses in Dance. These courses are required for a Major, Joint Major, or Minor in Dance:
- ARDV 0116 (Creative Process)
- DANC 0260 (Technique & Composition)
- DANC 0261 (Improvisational Practices)
- DANC 0284 (Dance History)
- DANC 0376 (Anatomy and Kinesiology)
Tracks for Full Dance Majors
To graduate with a singular Major in Dance, students choose one of three tracks: Choreography and Performance, Production and Technology, and Dance Studies. See below for the additional course requirements for each of the Major Tracks:
Additional course requirements for Choreography and Performance Track (11 courses)
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.
- Two of the following: DANC 0361 (Movement and Media), DANC 0370 (Production Workshop), DANC 0380 (Dance Company), or DANC 0461 (Advanced Dance Improvisation)
- DANC 0360 (Choreography and Performance)
- DANC 0460 (Performance & Production)
- DANC 0500 (Research Methods)
- DANC 0700 (Senior Work)
Additional course requirements for Production and Technology Track (11 courses)
- DANC 0361 (Movement and Media)
- DANC 0370 (Production Workshop)
- DANC 0500 (Research Methods)
- DANC 0700 (Senior Work)
Two additional elective courses from the following disciplines (by advisor approval): Studio Art, Architecture Studies, Theatre, Film and Media Culture
Additional course requirements for Dance Studies—Theory and Aesthetics (11 courses)
Two of the following: DANC 240 (Writing the Body), DANC 277 (Body and Earth), DANC 286 (Global Contemporary Dance), DANC 360 (Choreography and Performance), DANC 380 (Dance Company), DANC 461 (Advanced Dance Improvisation)
- DANC 500 (Research Methods)
- DANC 700 (Senior Work)
Two additional elective courses from the following disciplines (by advisor approval): English and American Literatures, History, Philosophy, Sociology, Anthropology
Additional course requirements for the Joint Major in Dance (9 courses)
One of the following: DANC 361 (Movement and Media), DANC 370 (Production Workshop), DANC 380 (Dance Company), DANC 460 (Performance and Production), 461 (Advance Dance Improvisation)
- DANC 360 (Choreography and Performance)
- DANC 500 (Research Methods)
- DANC 700 (Senior Work)
Additional course requirements for the Minor in Dance (6 courses)
One of the following: DANC 277 (Body and Earth), DANC 286 (Global Contemporary Dance), DANC 360 (Choreography and Performance), DANC 361 (Movement and Media), DANC 370 (Production Workshop), DANC 380 (Dance Company), 461 (Advance Dance Improvisation), or DANC 500 (Research Methods)
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.