Dance, B.A.

The major in dance will allow you to:

• develop mastery in ballet, modern, and jazz techniques;
• cultivate knowledge of the history, theory and aesthetics of dance, to this purpose we offer courses in dance history, theory, choreography, movement analysis, aesthetics, pedagogy, performance, production, anatomy, and kinesiology;
• work as performing artists, teachers, choreographers, and researchers;
• build upon the oral and written communication skills, critical thinking skills, and scholarly research skills supported by our liberal arts curriculum ; and
• develop skills for leadership in the world of dance evoking the wisdom of the body and imagination, being a conscious artist that creates movement for a better world.

The dance major is designed to offer students the opportunity to pursue their professional and personal passion. The dance program is combined with a strong liberal arts foundation that will prepare you for the many careers available in the arts.

Given the breadth of opportunities in the arts world, students may also combine the dance major with a second major/minor in art, music, exercise science, communications, psychology or business in order to pursue careers in such areas as dance/movement therapy, dance criticism, owning/operating a dance studio, dance medicine, and arts administration.

Upon graduation, dance majors may choose to pursue careers, such as performing with dance companies or theater groups; operating their own dance studios; serving as teachers or administrators in the private sector. If they have combined their dance studies with minors in other disciplines, their career potential will expand to include areas such as communications, counseling, and business. They may also choose to attend graduate school to teach in or administrate dance programs in higher education or to pursue other dance-related careers, such as dance therapy or dance medicine, arts management or to expand their knowledge into a different direction.

Dance majors must complete 54 credits of required courses within the department in order to earn the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in dance. Students may choose from two emphases within the major: performance or dance studies. Wellness, women’s studies, and global components are integrated in the major courses wherever appropriate.

Upon successful completion of the program of studies for Dance, the student will receive a B.A. in Dance and will have given evidence of the following outcomes and goals:

• Students will demonstrate accomplished techniques in various modalities of dance and mastery in personal performance forms.
• Students will develop skills to support leadership in the world of dance evoking the wisdom of the body imagination and creative thinking.
• Students will plan performances and choreographic experiences that involve effective communication, teamwork, and coaching of others toward their personal vision in choreography.
• Students will demonstrate competency in academic research that will benefit the profession, its history, and its current social and political issues.

To earn this degree, students must successfully complete at least 120 credits, including General Education requirements and the major requirements below.

Major Sequence

Students will complete a placement evaluation during the first week of school, and will be placed in the appropriate technique level accordingly.

Performance Track

Students who choose a performance emphasis must take 18 credits of Ballet or Modern technique at the 300 level or above, including at least one semester of DA321 Ballet III and DA331 Contemporary Movement Practice 3. Students must also complete DA350 Choreography II, and two consecutive semesters of DA370 Dance Ensemble.

Note: Dance majors in the performance track are required to take Ballet and Modern Technique every semester either for credit or dance audit.

Dance Studies Track

Students who follow a dance studies emphasis must take 16 credits of Ballet or Modern Technique at the 200 level or above, including one semester of DA221 Ballet II and DA231 Contemporary Movement Practice 2. In addition to the required courses for the major, students choose 9 credits in an area of interest such as choreography, history, criticism, therapy, arts administration, production, or business. The dance studies track is designed for students who are double majors.

A percentage of the grade of each dance technique course reflects the student’s technical competency, as assessed by the stated competency skills for the course. Students who receive an A in the technical component of their grade will be eligible for promotion to the next level of technique.

It is the department’s policy that any course in which a major receives a grade lower than a B- cannot be applied toward the major requirements.

Performance Track

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General Education

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Major

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DA141 Jazz Dance I recommended

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DA241 Jazz Dance II recommended

Dance Studies Track

¹

General Education

²

Major

³

DA141 Jazz Dance I recommended

⁴

DA241 Jazz Dance II recommended

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DA350 Choreography II recommended