Dance - B.S. Degree

Department of Theatre and Dance

Office: 212 Rockefeller Arts Center

(716) 673-3596

Dr. Rob Deemer,Chairperson

Email: theatre.dance@fredonia.edu

Website: https://www.fredonia.edu/academics/colleges-schools/college-liberal-arts-sciences/theatre-dance


The BS in Dance is designed to provide students with a broad-spectrum, liberal arts and sciences-based dance degree. With a combination of various dance science and wellness courses, dance movement courses, theory and dance-playwriting (choreography) courses, and electives to choose from, the program appeals to students who would like to pursue: Multiple undergraduate degrees at Fredonia or a single undergraduate degree and multiple minors; a multifaceted career in dance science, dance research, creation, directing, teaching, or administration, and; pursue a graduate degree in dance. Students who intend to incorporate dance and creative training into their careers will benefit from the BS in Dance degree by using the knowledge gained from this program to find careers in: physical therapy, exercise science, nutrition, social work and human services,community dance organizations, cultural dance and art organizations, business and arts management, and K-12 dance education. Students can easily double major and tailor their undergraduate experience to their specific interests.
 
  • An audition is required for admission into the Dance major. Please contact the Department of Theatre & Dance for audition dates and criteria.
  • All majors in the Department of Theatre and Dance are expected to carry a minimum GPA of 3.0 in their major program, and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
  • Students must earn a grade of "C" or better in all dance technique and theory courses in order to progress to the next level.

Major Requirements

Core Coursework:

BIOL 110Human Biology

3

DANC 104Dance Majors Seminar

1

DANC 260Dance Kinesiology

3

DANC 264Choreography I

3

THEA 121Introduction to Technical Theatre

3

Technical Courses:

DANC 111Contemporary Technique I

2

DANC 112Ballet I

2

DANC 113Jazz Dance I

2

DANC 211Contemporary Technique II

2

DANC 213Jazz Dance II

2

 

Advanced Core Coursework:

DANC 341Selected Topics in Dance

.5-3

DANC 353Contemporary Dance History

3

DANC 360Dancer Wellness

3

DANC 375Dance Pedagogy

3

DANC 453Forces and Figures in American Jazz Dance

3

DANC 460Senior Project

1

Total Credit Hours:40
  • DANC 341 variable credit, must be completed for 3 credits
  • DANC 460, 1 credit course, must be completed twice

Dance Electives:

Students must take an additional 10 credit hours of DANC electives chosen from the following (7 credits must be at the upper level): 
DANC 211Contemporary Technique II

2

or

DANC 212Ballet II

2

or

DANC 213Jazz Dance II

2

 

 

DANC 241Dance Improvisation

2

or

DANC 250Fall Chamber Concert

1-2

 

 

DANC 300Company Class

0.5

 

 

DANC 311Contemporary Technique III

2

or

DANC 313Jazz Dance III

2

 

 

DANC 341Selected Topics in Dance

.5-3

 

 

DANC 364Choreography II

3

 

 

DANC 370Dance Studio Management

3

 

 

THEA 451World Theatre in Context I

3

or

THEA 452World Theatre in Context II

3

 

 

THEA 460Performing Arts Organization and Management

3

 

Total Credit Hours:10

Note: 

  • DANC 341 (Special Topics) can be completed more than once to fulfill elective requirements, each course must be a unique iteration to satisfy the requirement

Minor Requirement

Students completing the B.S. in Dance are required to declare a minor to increase their engagement with other disciplines. This, in turn, enhances the depth of the senior capstone experience, which asks them to consider how dance is in constant dialogue with a large depth and breadth of seemingly unrelated areas of study. Students are not limited in their selection; they are encouraged to select any minor that appeals to them or that they believe might strengthen their competitiveness in a job search. Minors at Fredonia vary in credits; the majority fall between 18-21 credits.
 
Total Credit Hours:18-21

 

Total Credit Hours: 68-71