Department of Dance

DANC 1101. Dance Workshop. 1 Hour.

This is a practical workshop in support of the Department of Dance concerts and activities. Duties include costume construction, backstage and front of house support, and audio/video recording and dubbing.

DANC 1201. Pilates-based Cond for Dance. 2 Hours.

This is an introductory course in Pilates-based body conditioning. Designed by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th Century, Pilates is a movement-based exercise method that stretches, strengthens, and balances the body. Much of its popularity today is due to its regenerative effects on the body-its ability to encompass and connect the mind, body, and spirit with result of health, wholeness and a highly refined overall movement system.

DANC 1204. Folk Dance Forms. 2 Hours.

Students study dances indigenous to Europe, Mexico and the United States are in relation to their cultural derivations. Special consideration is given to dance as a cultural and recreational activity.

DANC 1206. Theater Dance Forms. 2 Hours.

Specific theatrical dance forms such as ballet, jazz, modern dance, and Hip Hop are studied in specially dedicated sections.

DANC 1221. Intro to Ballet Dance Techniqu. 2 Hours.

Students are introduced to the theory and practice of ballet. No previous experience in dance is required.

DANC 1222. Intro to Modern Dance Techniqu. 2 Hours.

Students are introduced to concepts of modern dance and gives students practice in self expression through movement. No prior experience in dance is required.

DANC 1223. Jazz Dance Technique I. 2 Hours.

Students are introduced to the dance vocabulary and movement of jazz technique. No prior dance experience is required.

DANC 1228. Tap Dance Technique I. 2 Hours.

Students are introduced to tap technique and practiced. No prior dance experience is expected.

DANC 1229. Hip Hop Dance Technique. 2 Hours.

This course provides students practice in forms of hip hop dancing. No previous experience is required.

DANC 1333. Ballet Dance Technique I. 3 Hours.

This course establishes the fundamentals of ballet, including alignment, technique and vocabulary. May be repeated for credit, max of 6 credits.

DANC 1334. Modern Dance Technique I. 3 Hours.

This course establishes the fundamental of modern dance technique. May be repeated for credit, max of 6 credits.

DANC 1372. Dance and Popular Culture. 3 Hours.

This course is a video survey of the vast range of theatrical dance that has taken place in the twentieth century. Forms and styles covered include ballet, modern/postmodern, jazz, musical theater, tap, contemporary dance, and dance for music video.

DANC 2223. Jazz Dance Technique II. 2 Hours.

This course expands on the basic dance vocabulary and movements offered in DNC 1223, Introduction to Jazz. Students must have prior experience in jazz dance.

DANC 2228. Tap Dance Technique II. 2 Hours.

This course builds on the basics of tap offered in DNC 1228, Tap Dance Technique I. Students must have prior experience in tap dancing.

DANC 2331. Pilates Body Conditioning II. 3 Hours.

The focus of the course is to develop a solid personal matwork practice at all levels from pre-Pilates through intermediate work, with a strong application of the principles of the Pilates method of body conditioning. Experiences with classical Pilates apparatus will supplement and enrich the matwork exercises.
Prerequisite: DANC 1201.

DANC 2332. Social And Folk Dance Forms. 3 Hours.

Social and folk dance forms of ethnic and social significance are studied and performed in relation to their cultural derivations and historical perspectives and their use in period theatrical/concert production. Special emphasis is placed upon the importance of ethnic art forms to contemporary society.

DANC 2333. Ballet Dance Technique II. 3 Hours.

This is a ballet technique class designed for students with fundamental ballet technique. May be repeated for credit, max of 12 credits. Open by audition only.

DANC 2334. Modern Dance Technique II. 3 Hours.

This is a modern dance technique class designed for students with fundamental dance technique. Students who are not dance majors must have permission of instructor or department chair to register. May be repeated for credit, max 12 credits.

DANC 2337. Beginning Aerial Dance. 3 Hours.

Students are introduced to aerial dance technique. The course activities include conditioning exercises targeting core strength building, learning basic aerial dance vocabulary, and practicing fundamental aerial climbing techniques.

DANC 2373. World Dance:Exploring Cultures. 3 Hours.

Students experience dances from different world regions. Although comparisons between cultures will become evident, the primary objective is to identify and study cultural characteristics.

DANC 2376. Choreography I. 3 Hours.

Students learn to analyze the various components of design and to create basic dance studies that demonstrate understanding of dance as a craft and as an art.
Prerequisite: A minimum of intermediate standing in ballet or modern dance, or permission of the instructor is required to register for this course.

DANC 3301. Pilates Teaching Methods I. 3 Hours.

Students become familiar with the foundational principles and concepts behind the Pilates Method of body conditioning in preparation for teaching its matwork component. Course work will address breath, core activation, neutral spine, and lumbo-pelvic stability as they apply to the proper execution of beginning to intermediate-level exercises. An essential aspect of the course is observation of professional Pilates teachers in practice, with both individual clients and in a group instruction setting. Course requirements include regular class meetings, a minimum of 15 documented hours of teacher observation, a journal of observations, and written and practical evaluation.
Prerequisite: DANC 1201, DANC 2331, and either DANC 3374 or BIOL 2401.

DANC 3333. Ballet Dance Technique III. 3 Hours.

This is an intermediate level ballet technique class that presumes substantial ballet training. Open by audition only. May be repeated for credit, max of 12 credits.

DANC 3334. Modern Dance Technique III. 3 Hours.

This is an intermediate level modern dance technique class that presumes substantial modern dance training. Open by audition only. May be repeated for credit, max of 12 credits.

DANC 3335. Jazz Dance Technique III. 3 Hours.

This course is designed for the dancer with sound foundations in jazz technique. The course focus is on developing technical skills, increasing strength and flexibility, and developing performance quality in jazz dance. May be repeated for credit, max of 9 credits. Open by audition only.

DANC 3336. Improvisation & Partnering. 3 Hours.

Through the study of improvisational and partnering techniques, students explore a wide range of movement and develop spontaneous problem-solving skills. Additionally, students learn proper body mechanics that will assist them in various partnering techniques.

DANC 3337. Intermediate/Advanced Aerial Dance. 3 Hours.

This course further develops skills learned in Beginning Aerial Dance by expanding aerial dance vocabulary and exploring aerial dance as an expressive art form. The activities include intermediate to advanced conditioning exercises targeting core strength building, and applying thoughtful artistry to the performance of aerial dance.
Prerequisite: DANC 2337 and permission of the instructor.

DANC 3372. Dance History. 3 Hours.

A chronological survey is made of the history of dance from the 1700's to the modern period. Special emphasis is placed on the philosophic relationship of dance to the various cultural epochs.

DANC 3373. Laban Movement Analysis. 3 Hours.

Students are provided an overview of Laban Movement Analysis emphasizing the areas of Body, Effort, Shape, Space, and components necessary to understand and support non verbal communication. Theory, supported by experiential activities, provides the student the opportunity to better understand human movement as well as providing a means of acquiring efficient, expressive movement. A brief history/application of LMA is included in the curriculum.

DANC 3374. Principles Of Dance Technique. 3 Hours.

Students are provided the student with an overview of the movement system emphasizing the subjective control experience in dance. Methods of tuning the system, including body therapies, conditioning regimes, body awareness techniques, and dance training. These methods are practiced, reviewed, and compared.

DANC 3376. Choreography II. 3 Hours.

This course builds on skills developed in DANC 2376, Choreography I. Students develop duet and small group compositional studies.
Prerequisite: DANC 2376 and/or permission of the instructor.

DANC 4092. Special Topic. 1-3 Hours.

Opportunities are offered for thorough study of a variety of topics which students may choose in dance. Such topics as Historical Period Dance, Ethno-cultural Studies, Choreographic Projects, et cetera are illustrative.

DANC 4093. Independent Study. 1-3 Hours.

Opportunities are offered for individual study of an approved problem in dance. May be repeated for credit. Credit 1-3.

DANC 4301. Pilates Teaching Methods II. 3 Hours.

Students gain a greater level of expertise in the Pilates Method of body conditioning as they prepare to teach its mat work component. Using the foundational concepts and principles learned in DANC 3301, they will further explore the integration of the musculo-skeletal system in movement by way of the Advanced and Super-Advanced exercises. In addition, they will address the conduct of a group instruction setting over a period of time to become familiar with the process of bringing students to a more advanced level in their individual practice. An important aspect of the course is the actual teaching of both private lessons and group classes to gain practical experience as teachers. Course requirements include regular class meetings, a minimum of 35 documented hours of student teaching, and written and practical evaluation.
Prerequisite: DANC 1201, DANC 2331, DANC 3301, and either DANC 3374 or BIOL 2401.

DANC 4330. Repertory. 3 Hours.

The student is involved in rehearsals in which dance works by faculty and guest artists, as well as the great masters of choreography, are staged or reconstructed in preparation for major dance program performances. Students are provided experience in the rehearsal process, culminating in performance. Students cast in productions experience the rehearsal and creation process of dance repertory, culminating in performance in a formal dance concert.

DANC 4333. Ballet Dance Technique IV. 3 Hours.

This is a pre-professional level of ballet technique in which dancers develop a high degree of technical ability and expressive range. Open by audition only. May be repeated for credit, max of 12 credits.
Prerequisite: DANC 3333 or permission of the instructor.

DANC 4334. Modern Dance Technique IV. 3 Hours.

This is a pre-professional level of modern dance technique in which dancers develop a high degree of technical ability and expressive range in the modern dance idiom. Open by audition only. May be repeated for credit, max of 12 credits.
Prerequisite: DANC 3334 or permission of the instructor.

DANC 4335. Jazz Dance Technique IV. 3 Hours.

This is a pre-professional level of jazz dance technique in which dancers develop a high degree of technical ability and expressive range. Open by audition only. May be taken for repeat credit, max of 9 credits.

DANC 4372. Dance Criticism & Analysis. 3 Hours.

Students develop critical skills, applying multiple lenses, and approaches that are needed for the analysis of choreography and choreographers. Exploring the political and social contexts that inform the work broaden students' understandings of external influences on creative expression. Emphasis is on writing informed, insightful analyses of the form, content, context, and effectiveness of choreographic works.

DANC 4376. Choreography III. 3 Hours.

This course is designed to help the student develop extended solo, duet, and ensemble works for performance, expanding on compositional tools from DANC 2376, Choreography I, and DANC 3376, Choreography II.
Prerequisite: DANC 3376 and/or permission of the instructor.

DANC 4377. Senior Studio. 3 Hours.

In this capstone choreography course, students develop skills needed to create and produce dance. These skills include conducting an audition, coordinating a rehearsal schedule, directing and managing dancers through the creative process, and communicating effectively with costumers and lighting designers. The culminating efforts of this class result in a fully-produced dance concert in which each student completes and presents the choreography developed during the course.
Prerequisite: DANC 3376.

DANC 4384. Dance Pedagogy. 3 Hours.

This course acquaints students in dance with methods for teaching ballet and modern dance technique. Students gain theoretical and practical experience, focusing on the use of anatomically-correct and systematic approaches to developing dance skills. Class structure, design of exercises, effective communication with students, and selection of appropriate musical accompaniment are examined.

DANC 4388. Dance and Technology. 3 Hours.

This course is a continuation of the choreography series and enables students to effectively pursue technology in their creative endeavors. Students are introduced to methods of integrating media technologies into the dancer's experience in the areas of dance graphics, sound design for dance, and dance video. Students learn camera, computer, and software skills that will facilitate their ability to expand creative expression as well as enhance their ability to package and promote themselves as artists in a variety of media.
Prerequisite: DANC 2376 and DANC 3376.

DANC 4389. Career Resources in Dance. 3 Hours.

This course is designed for the graduating dance student who is preparing to enter the job market. Emphasis is placed on resume building, the job search, and the audition process. Students create and package a portfolio that includes a resume, letter of application, video resume, an audition solo, and an artistic statement.