Dance Courses Offered through the Department of Visual and Theatre Arts

Technique/Performance Courses:

Ballet I, II, Advanced

Contemporary Dance I, II, Advanced

Movement for Performers: Provides the actor/musician/dancer with a basic awareness of the human body and function for the stage by exploring various movement techniques.

Jazz Dance:  Analytical and practical study in jazz dance techniques.

Choreography I: Use of rhythmic, spatial, and dynamic elements in designing dance movements.

Choreography II: Advanced techniques of dance composition.

Dance Ensemble: Preparation and public performance of selected works of dance repertory.
By Audition Only.

History/Theory:

Understanding Dance : General survey of the development of dance within the context of the historical, theoretical and cultural. Also offering an honor's section.

Dance History and Contemporary Issues: This course is an inquiry into varied issues that are central to how dances are created, performed, viewed, received, criticized, and analyzed in a historical context.

Dance Education Courses:

Introduction to Teaching Dance: An overview of dance teaching as a profession including requirements, challenges, and opportunities.  Includes 10 clock hours of clinical laboratory experiences, directed observations, and limited participation in classroom settings.

Dance Pedagogy: Concepts, methods, materials, and practice in teaching dance.

Senior Seminar in Dance Education: Current issues in the profession of dance education, review of national standards, and the relationship of the aesthetic education to the overall development of young people.  Historical, philosophical, and social aspects of dance in the curriculum.  Measurement and evaluation of dance instruction.

Students Teaching in Dance: Grades K-6: Supervised student teaching of dance in grades K-6 on off-campus centers for a minimum of 7.5 weeks.

Student Teaching in Dance: Grades 7-12: Supervised student teaching of dance in grades 7-12 in off-campus centers for a minimum of 7.5 weeks.

Seminar in Teaching Dance: Structured seminar for advanced discussion of instructional and classroom management, variety of methodology, discipline, school law, professionalism, and related topics.  Emphasis will be placed on oral expression and written communication.

Additional Courses:

Computers and Media for the Arts: Exploration of relevant computer software programs, various media platforms, and digital technology applications for use in the pedagogy and studio instruction methods for the visual and performing arts. Projects will utilize the computer and digital media technology in the design and distribution of projects and curricular materials as well as for research and class presentations.

Music and Movement : Basic rhythmic analysis for dance. Understanding the relationship between music and movement for both instruction and performance. Introduction to digital music editing and composition for dance.