Dance, BA

Degree: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Major: Dance

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in dance requires 41 credit hours of courses offered by the Department of Dance. All dance majors take courses in Modern/Contemporary Technique, Ballet Technique, Dance History, and Production (crew). The remaining credits are chosen upon advisement from courses in Dance Science/Wellness, Dance in Culture, Production Resources, Pedagogy, and Choreography.

Learning Outcomes

  • Students will be able to synthesize historical, cultural and social concepts and information in modern and contemporary dance and/or dances of other cultures.
  • Students will be able to analyze human movement from anatomical, kinesiological perspectives to identify common dance technique deficits/injuries and identify various interventions in overall dancer wellness.
  • Students will be able to demonstrate sound teaching methods/principles and acumen in structuring organized low level dance technique classes and planning for teaching a semester long course.
  • Students will be able to demonstrate ability to conduct scholarly and creative research.
  • Students will be able to demonstrate technical acumen (dance technique), musicality, prowess in dynamics, spatial awareness and expressivity in upper level ballet and modern positions, exercises and complex movement vocabulary.
  • Students will be able to through an exploration of the elements of time, space and dynamics and in depth study of the craft of choreography, create, develop and structure movement for solo dances of length in silence and to music.
  • Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of and be able to design and actualize projects in the theatrical elements of concert dance.

Undergraduate Policies

For undergraduate policies and procedures, please review the Undergraduate Academics section of the General Bulletin.

Combined Bachelor's/Master's Programs

Undergraduate students may participate in accelerated programs toward graduate or professional degrees. For more information and details of the policies and procedures related to accelerated studies, please visit the Undergraduate Academics section of the General Bulletin.

Program Requirements

Students seeking to complete this major and degree program must meet the general requirements for bachelor's degrees and the Unified General Education Requirements. Students completing this program as a secondary major while completing another undergraduate degree program do not need to satisfy the school-specific requirements associated with this major.

Degree requirements for the major in dance, Bachelor of Arts degree, are as follows:

Technique Core Courses: a
Modern Techniques Courses (choose 15 credit hours): b15
DANC 103
First-Year Contemporary Dance Technique I
DANC 104
First-Year Contemporary Dance Techniques II
DANC 203
Second-Year Contemporary Dance Technique I
DANC 204
Second-Year Contemporary Dance Technique II
DANC 303
Third-Year Contemporary Dance Technique I
DANC 304
Third-Year Contemporary Dance Technique II
DANC 317
Advanced Contemporary Dance Technique I
DANC 318
Advanced Contemporary Dance Technique II
Ballet Techniques Courses (choose 6 credit hours): b6
DANC 160
Introduction to Ballet Technique I
DANC 161
Introduction to Ballet Technique II
DANC 260
Second-Year Ballet Technique I
DANC 261
Second-Year Ballet Technique II
DANC 360
Ballet Technique for Contemporary Dance Students I
DANC 361
Ballet Technique for Contemporary Dance Students II
Core Theory Requirements:9
DANC 121
Dance in Culture - Ethnic Forms
DANC 122
Dance in Culture - Theatrical Forms
DANC 355
History of Modern Dance
Additional Core and Creative Research Requirements:6
Choose two of the following:
DANC 314
The Craft of Choreography
DANC 315
Choreography and Music
DANC 324
Dance Production Resources
DANC 345
Kinesiology for Dance and Sport Performance
DANC 346
Topics in Dance Medicine, Science, and Wellness
DANC 396
SAGES Senior Capstone in Dance
Additional Performance/Physical Requirements:2
DANC 385
Production Practicum
Total Credit Hours38
a

All Technique Core courses are repeatable with advisor approval, with the exception of DANC 101, DANC 102, DANC 160 and DANC 161. At least 3 credits must be in the 300 level.

b

Chosen with department major advisor approval.

Sample Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredit Hours
DANC 103 First-Year Contemporary Dance Technique I 3
DANC 260 Second-Year Ballet Technique I 3
DANC 385 Production Practicum 0 - 1
DANC 121 Dance in Culture - Ethnic Forms 3
Academic Inquiry Seminar, Breadth, or Elective course a 3
Open Elective 3
 Credit Hours15-16
Spring
DANC 104 First-Year Contemporary Dance Techniques II 3
DANC 261 Second-Year Ballet Technique II 3
DANC 385 Production Practicum 0 - 1
DANC 122 Dance in Culture - Theatrical Forms 3
Academic Inquiry Seminar, Breadth, or Elective course a 3
Open Elective 3
 Credit Hours15-16
Second Year
Fall
DANC 203 Second-Year Contemporary Dance Technique I 3
DANC 345 Kinesiology for Dance and Sport Performance 3
Breadth, or Elective course a 3
Open Elective 3
Open Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
DANC 204 Second-Year Contemporary Dance Technique II 3
DANC 346 Topics in Dance Medicine, Science, and Wellness 3
Breadth, or Elective course a 3
Open Elective 3
Open Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Third Year
Fall
DANC 303 Third-Year Contemporary Dance Technique I 3
Breadth, or Elective course a 3
Open Elective 3
Open Elective 2 - 3
Open Elective 3
 Credit Hours14-15
Spring
DANC 304 Third-Year Contemporary Dance Technique II 3
Breadth, or Elective course a 3
Open Elective 3
Open Elective 3
Open Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall
DANC 317 Advanced Contemporary Dance Technique I 1
DANC 355 History of Modern Dance 3
Breadth, or Elective course a 3
Open Elective 3
Open Elective 3
Open Elective 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring
UGER Capstone b 3
Breadth, or Elective course a 3
Open Elective 3
Open Elective 3
Open Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
 Total Credit Hours120-123
a

Unified General Education Requirement.

b

May be satisfied by DANC 396, though this course is not required for the major.

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