300

A weekly class taught by visiting dance artists representing a wide range of disciplines within the field. The master class format will require dancers to develop the advanced visual, aural, physical, spatial, musical, and contextual assimilation and retention skills necessary for success as a contemporary dance artist.

An investigation of advanced contemporary dance principles, practices, and techniques. Course content will vary by instructor.

Continuation of classical ballet technique at the intermediate/advanced level, with attention to the execution and mastery of the classical movement repertoire. The course intensifies the work covered in DANC 212 with the addition of variations and beginning pointe shoe work. May be repeated twice for credit.

Thes course explores styles in jazz technique at an intermediate/advanced level. It is a continuation of DANC 213 and covers technique, vocabulary, and history, with emphasis on mastery of execution and artistic expression. May be repeated twice for credit.

Designed to familiarize the intermediate dancer with the techniques of musical theatre dance for the stage. Jazz, ballroom, and tap techniques are also covered. Classic musical theatre choreography is explored.

Directed or Independent Study in dance-related topics. By advisement only. May be repeated for credit.

A survey of the evolution of global modern, post-modern, and contemporary dance from the late 19th century to the present. Particular focus will be paid to how dance has both influenced and been influenced by the social, political, and economic climates of the times and places in which it was created. Students will be challenged to develop their critical thinking, writing, and research skills, to clearly define their personal aesthetics, and to hone their ability to watch dance with a scholar’s eye.

This lecture course will cover the foundations of dancer wellness, including mental, physical wellness, and assessment methods for overall dancer health. All coursework is designed to improve a dance student’s mental and physical wellness, and ability to assess and implement holistic living through participation and academic study. Written assignments, quizzes, exams, online discussions, and daily participation (movement and verbal) are required. Course methods include blended learning platforms.

An introduction to the content and structure of group dance composition as an art form. Improvisation and compositional devices including rhythm, dynamics, space, design, phrasing, and production elements are covered.

The course provides students with a road map for the annual cycle of a dance studio and other various aspects of this community-oriented enterprise. The focus will be on the administrative portion of the operation as opposed to the artistic side. Etiquette, communication skills, procedures, and financial aspects of the dance studio business will be discussed in detail. In addition, other useful applications such as drafting a business plan, developing policies, completing tax forms and other hands-on exercises will be put into practice. At the end of the course the student will have a clear understanding of the timeline and the dynamics of a dance studio business. This course is not recommended for first-year students.

A course in Dance Pedagogy provides students with the methods and skills for teaching dance by studying diverse teaching and learning techniques in theory and practice. Students will explore evidence based methods in effective teaching and will learn how to be a competent teacher through observation, role play and practice. Aside from building lesson plans and curricula, monitoring dance technique classes, providing teaching samples and framing a personal teaching philosophy, students are required to study writings from a variety of sources dealing with day-to-day societal challenges in dance education such as culture, diversity, acceptance, collaboration, etc. in preparation for class discussions and writing assignments.