Dance (DANC)
DANC 1010 - Introduction to Ballet - 3 credits
Offered periodically within a three-year academic cycle
Ballet is the foundation training for all performance dance styles. This is an entry level course and is intended to give students a strong fundamental background in the movement and verbal language of ballet. It develops the student’s technical ability to master the steps and movement patterns of ballet, develop strength, speed, artistic sensitivity and expressiveness. A kinesthetic approach to the relation between muscle control and technique is used to intensify the effectiveness of training. This course, therefore, is beneficial from a fitness as well as a dance perspective. Live piano accompaniment in class allows students to observe the interdisciplinary communication between the musician and the dancer. This course is appropriate for those who are studying ballet for the first time and is also recommended for more advanced students who may intend to teach dance in the future and wish to review the approach to teaching elementary ballet technique. Through class discussion and class research students will learn about and write about the history of ballet and its social, political and artistic relevance. The combined physical participation in class work and historic research is intended to create dancers who are investigating ballet both technically and artistically. They will achieve an understanding of how the elements of music, literature, cultural traditions and historical elements integrate into the creation of a ballet, which is a moving work of art.
This course may be repeated for credit.
This course meets the General Education Wellness requirement or the General Education Arts Breadth requirement.
DANC 1200 - The Language of Movement - 3 credits
Fall Semester
This course teaches basic body awareness, enhances coordination, and connects movement to self. Students will learn basic concepts of total body connectivity to encourage and/or re-awaken dynamic, fluid, integrated movement patterns. Each week will incorporate a warm-up that will provide a balance of strength, flexibility and aerobic training with an in-depth lesson on basic principles, languages or theories of movement. No previous dance experience necessary.
This course may NOT be repeated for additional credit.
This course meets the General Education Wellness requirement or the General Education Arts Breadth requirement.
DANC 2030 - Modern Dance - 3 credits
Fall and Spring Semesters
A contemporary dance technique course with a focus on improving alignment, strength and range of motion. Students will utilize improvisation to deepen their understanding of the use of weight, texture, energy and shape. Longer movement sequences will emphasize musicality and performance quality. This course builds upon the fundamentals of modern dance and/or ballet technique with an emphasis on more extensive movement vocabulary. Students need to have mastered the basic skills taught in beginning technique levels in order to move to this more challenging level. (Live Accompaniment).
This course may be repeated for credit.
This course meets the General Education Wellness requirement or the General Education Arts Breadth requirement.
DANC 2050 - Ballet I - 3 credits
Fall Semester
Ballet is the foundation training for all performance dance. Ballet I develops the student’s technical ability to master the steps and movement patterns of ballet and develop strength, speed, artistic sensitivity and expressiveness. A kinesthetic approach to the relation between muscle control and technique is used to intensify the effectiveness of training. This course, therefore, is beneficial from a fitness as well as a dance perspective. Live piano accompaniment in class allows students to observe the interdisciplinary communication between the musician and the dancer. Through class discussion and class research, students will learn about and write about the history of ballet and its social, political and artistic relevance. The combined physical participation in class work and research about dance history is intended to create dancers who are moving towards achieving technical proficiency and who are enriched artistically. They will achieve an understanding of how of music, literature, cultural traditions and historic elements are integrated to create a ballet, which is a moving work of art.
This course may be repeated for credit.
This course meets the General Education Wellness requirement or the General Education Arts Breadth requirement.
DANC 2100 - The Art of Making Dance - 3 credits
Fall Semester
In this course students create their own dances and learn dances from other choreographers in order to physically explore the primary elements of movement – space, time and energy. Students will practice inventing, manipulating, and organizing movement to create thematic structure and overall composition. Students interested in choreographing for the annual spring dance concert are encouraged to complete this course.
This course may NOT be repeated for additional credit.
This course meets the General Education Arts Breadth requirement.
DANC 2200 - Dance: Social Justice - 3 credits
Alternate Semesters
Dance Social Justice will provide interdisciplinary creative scholarship for dance minors and all interested students. As a dance minor elective, the course will fulfill the need for an additional 2000-level course offering. As a Gen Ed Diversity course (pending approval), the course will examine dance as a form of cultural politics and activism toward social justice through the body. Course content will examine global and local artists and arts organizations to uphold the Dance Program goal of moving global forms toward the center of curriculum.
This course may NOT be repeated for additional credit.
This course meets the General Education Diversity requirement.
DANC 2300 - World Dance History - 3 credits
Fall Semester
This course focuses on dance history from a global perspective highlighting the significance of dance in cultures from Africa, India, Japan, Europe, Brazil and America. We will investigate the historic relevance of different types of dance through research, reading, viewing performance, and in-studio dance workshops. Experiential workshops throughout the semester will include dance forms such as Cambodian Classical Dance, Ballet, Capoeira, Butoh, African Dance, and Bharata Natyam. Research surrounding each dance form will examine how to view and discuss artistic expression as an embodiment of history; the cultural significance of a dance form; how traditions are passed down, defined and taught to future generations; and what happens when dance forms circulate between communities and across borders. Student research will focus on how dance transforms over time in relation to social, political, and economic change.
This course may NOT be repeated for additional credit.
This course meets the General Education International/ Global Interdependence requirement or the General Education Humanities Breadth requirement and is Information Literacy Enhanced (ILE).
DANC 2350 - West African Dance - 3 credits
West African Dance incorporates traditional Mande culture, language, music, and dance as well as those of neighboring Guinea, Ivory Coast, and Senegal. This course includes vigorous movement with a focus on rhythm, songs, and culture as well as dance choreographies traditionally performed for rites of passage, courtship, and other cultural occasions. Class materials emphasize community building and individual potential.
This course may be repeated for credit.
This course meets the General Education Arts Breadth requirement.
DANC 2410- Somatics for Dance: Yoga - 3 credits
Fall and Spring Semesters
Somatics for Dance: Yoga provides an active learning experience of an ancient movement art form originating over 5,000 years ago in Northern India. The practice will incorporate the study of yogic philosophy, Sanskrit terminology, and essential anatomy while building strength and flexibility, advancing towards arm balances and inversions. Emphasis will be placed on building a sustainable practice through custom modifications for joint protection and injury prevention. The practice will extend beyond creating shapes to promote an understanding of tradition and discipline. Meditative practices will be incorporated across the asanas of yoga, from foundations through advanced postures. This course is designed for all levels of experience. A yoga mat is required.
This course may be repeated for credit.
This course meets the General Education International/Global Interdependence or the General Education Wellness requirement.
DANC 2470 - Dance Performance - 1 credit
Spring Semester
Course culminates in “Curry Dances”, the annual spring dance performance. Students are mentored through a performance process from rehearsal to stage and may choose to choreograph or perform in the work of invited guest artists or student choreographers. Course is intended for students to strengthen both their performance, and dance production skills.
This course may be repeated for credit.
This course meets the General Education Active Learning requirement or the General Education Arts Breadth requirement.
DANC 2480 - Dance Performance - 3 credits
Spring Semester
This course culminates in “Curry Dances,” the annual spring dance performance. DANC 2480 is intended for students to not only strengthen artistic, choreographic and performance skills, but to act in a leadership capacity while producing a professional concert. Students will envision, plan, direct rehearsals, and organize the technical aspects of a production.
This course may be repeated for credit.
This course meets the General Education Active Learning requirement or the General Education Arts Breadth requirement.
DANC 4050 - Independent Studio: Dance - 1-8 credits
See description in Academic Policies and Procedures.