DANC - Dance

This course is for first-year Dance majors. The course will cover departmental and university policies and procedures, dance program expectations, campus resources, academic advising & registration, time management strategies, and tools to navigate the field as a professional dancer.

This course introduces the dance student to the fundamentals of exploring movement from a place of internal physical perception and proprioceptive awareness. Coursework will engage with techniques which emphasize body awareness through internal reflection on movement habits. Students will develop skills to increase awareness of movement as a practice of the body generated from within.

This course explores various styles, genres, and theories of Contemporary Dance at the 100 level. Emphasis is placed on advanced modern, postmodern, and contemporary dance techniques and the application of movement principles essential to the training to make a professional dancer. Different styles of contemporary dance will be presented with an emphasis on improving anatomical awareness and alignment, developing integrated movement patterns and internal connections, rhythmic awareness and using dance as a form of expression. Students will observe dance on video and performance, read and write, from a scholarly perspective, about Contemporary Dance as well as discuss the genres and styles of individual ideals relating to the overall form.

This course will develop competence in classical/contemporary ballet technique at the 100 level and explain its Euro-centric origin. The student will broaden and refine their fundamental awareness in the art by applying proper technique and anatomical principles to support a healthy body and the application of movement principles essential to the training to make a professional dancer. Emphasis will be given to the proper alignment, placement, coordination and the quality of movements. The study of terminology, theory and history will deepen the understanding of this dance discipline and its relationship to other dance styles.

This course examines which elements of jazz dance situate it outside the paradigms of ballet and modern/contemporary's value systems of form, function, musicality, and technique, and examines how African and Black Diasporic roots of jazz dance make it a distinct form, worthy of study without being qualified from a colonist perspective. The class will develop the dance student's understanding of these entry points at the 100 through movement and academic study. Class covers the fundamental elements of the Africanist and Black Diasporic roots and movement aesthetics of multiple jazz dance styles. Coursework will also incorporate the theory and pedagogy of Jazz Dance through readings, written assignments, and in-class and online discussions. All coursework is designed to improve a dance student's jazz technique, movement skills, understanding of musicality, theory, and history through participation and academic study, and the application of movement principles essential to the training to make a professional dancer.

Tap I will provide the student with a basic competence in Tap Dance and an awareness of its historical origin. It is an introductory course which does not require previous training, but demands a professional approach by the student. The practical part of this course will focus on the proper articulation of individual movements and steps as well as the recollection of short dance combinations (e.g. time steps, rhythms, and short routines). Together with the proper implementation and the proper use of the terminology, the student will study the fundamental technique of tap dance. The scholarly part of this course will cover the historical roots of tap dance and will introduce well-known masters of this performing art.

This course is a continuation of DANC 111 - Contemporary I, that explores the technique and the theories of Contemporary Dance at the 200 level. Emphasis is placed on advanced modern, postmodern, and contemporary dance techniques and the application of movement principles essential to the training to make a professional dancer. Different styles of contemporary dance will be presented with an emphasis on improving anatomical awareness and alignment, developing integrated movement patterns and internal connections, rhythmic awareness and using dance as a form of expression. Students will observe dance on video and performance, read and write, from a scholarly perspective, about Contemporary Dance as well as discuss the genres and styles of individual ideals relating to the overall form.

This course is a continuation of the classical/contemporary ballet technique offered in DANC 112 - Ballet I at the 200 level with continued attention to biomechanical principles of ballet, proper execution, and mastery of the classical/contemporary movement repertoire, and the application of movement principles essential to the training to make a professional dancer. In addition, students will broaden their learning about classical/contemporary ballet issues through assigned readings and through written work.

This course is a continuation of the content of DANC 113 - Jazz I, at the 200 level through movement and academic study. Class work examines what elements of jazz dance situate it outside the paradigms of ballet and modern/contemporary's value systems of form, function, musicality, and technique, and examines how African and Black Diasporic roots of jazz dance make it a distinct form, worthy of study without being qualified from a colonist perspective. Class covers the fundamental elements of the Africanist and Black Diasporic roots and movement aesthetics of multiple jazz dance styles. Coursework will also incorporate the theory and pedagogy of Jazz Dance through readings, written assignments, and in-class and online discussions. All coursework is designed to improve a dance student's jazz technique, movement skills, understanding of musicality, theory, and history through participation and academic study, and the application of movement principles essential to the training to make a professional dancer.

DANC 214 - Tap Dance II is a continuation of DANC 114 - Tap Dance I. Tap Dance II will intensify and expand the technique of basic tap dance with a strong focus on the artistic execution of phrases and the recollection of dance combinations. The student will continue to study the proper implementation of technique and correct use of terminology" The scholarly part of this course will cover contemporary issues in tap dance through assigned readings, research, and written work.

This class students will devote the semester to an in-depth study and practice of improvisation. Students will question the practice, nature and place of compositional improvisation. Students will examine ways to play with and cultivate methods that are both spontaneous and immediate, and carefully crafted and considered methods, whichever method is needed in the moment. Students will be attentive to the form and consider the traditions that make them manifest in our movement language. Students will be asked to engage with possibilities for radical re-organization and re-assessment. The class builds upon solo and ensemble works through engagement in a wide array of practices. Students will be called upon to contribute as a soloist and collaborator to build shapely, coherent, short and long pieces using improvisational elements.

This course engages students with various physical and choreographic styles, professional rehearsal and performance practices, the experience with technical production, and the culture of a professional repertory dance ensemble/company/project. All coursework is designed to improve dance majors' understanding of dance performance as a professional career practice. Class culminates in a series of public performances in the Merrins Dance Theatre in Rockefeller Arts Center. Co-requisites: This course must be taken with one of the following: DANC 111-113, 211-213, 311-313, 341.

This course engages students with various physical and choreographic styles, professional rehearsal and performance practices, the experience with technical production, and the culture of a professional repertory dance ensemble/company/project. All coursework is designed to improve BFA dance majors' understanding of dance performance as a professional career practice. Class culminates in a series of public performances in the Marvel Theatre in Rockefeller Arts Center. Co-requisites: This course must be taken with one of the following: DANC 111-113, 211-213, 311-313, 341.

This class covers the basic anatomy and kinesthetic functions of the skeletal, muscular, and connective tissue systems of the body; scientific terminology of anatomy; and planes of motion as they relate to dance techniques, somatic awareness, and dance performance. All courswork is designed to improve student understanding of the systems of the body as they relate to dance movement and the ability to assess and implement healthy movement mechanics through participation and academic study. Written assignments, quizzes, and exams are required.

In this course, students are introduced to the basic elements of the craft of choreography: space, time, effort/force and motivation. These are concepts that can be applied to any genre of dance when choreographing. Movement invention will be approached through improvisation, movement studies, readings, performance viewings, video viewings and written assignments. An emphasis will be placed upon discovering your own unique expressive movement vocabulary and deepening your powers of observation of self, others and the world around you. Dancers will learn how to investigate movement, probe and manipulate movement materials, and give and receive peer feedback. Concepts will be explored as soloists. In preparing for a final composition showing, dancers will investigate issues that are important and use their findings to create a final work, a solo, either set on themselves or someone else. Dancers will leave this class with different methods of how to generate movement for themselves, and how to describe their movement using language to others.

An independent study that will provide a rigorous academic experience equivalent to that of any other undergraduate course. Independent study courses are ways to explore a subject in an in depth approach specific to the dance field or closely related subject of the student's academic interest. To do an independent study project, it is recommended that the request be made in the form of a written proposal prior to the end of the previous semester of when the intended Independent Study would start. Permission of instructor and department is required

This class is a revolving master-class series that brings a wide range of mostly dance artists to the SUNY Fredonia campus. This experience offers students the opportunity to work with professionals, academics, scholars, teachers, and choreographers outside of the Department's regular faculty. The class offers an opportunity for students to experience other dance/field/art forms that are not offered as part of the formal curriculum. The class is a chance for students to ask questions about being a professional in the field and create exhilarating discussions around dance and art making.

This course is a continuation of DANC 211-Contemporary II that explores the technique and the theories of Contemporary Dance at the 300 level. Emphasis is placed on advanced modern, postmodern, and contemporary dance techniques and the application of movement principles essential to the training to make a professional dancer. In this course, different styles of contemporary dance will be presented with an emphasis on improving anatomical awareness and alignment, developing integrated movement patterns and internal connections, rhythmic awareness and using dance as a form of expression. In this class students will observe dance on video and performance, read and write, from a scholarly perspective, about Contemporary Dance as well as discuss the genres and styles of individual ideals relating to the overall form.

This course is a continuation of the classical/contemporary ballet technique offered in DANC 212 - Ballet II at the 300 level with continued attention to biomechanical principles of ballet, proper execution, and mastery of the classical/contemporary movement repertoire, and the application of movement principles essential to the training to make a professional dancer. In addition, students will broaden their learning about classical/contemporary ballet issues through assigned readings and through written work.

This course is a continuation of the content of DANC 213, Jazz II at the 300 level through movement and academic study. Class work examines what elements of jazz dance situate it outside the paradigms of ballet and modern/contemporary's value systems of form, function, musicality, and technique, and examines how African and Black Diasporic roots of jazz dance make it a distinct form, worthy of study without being qualified from a colonist perspective. Class covers the fundamental elements of the Africanist and Black Diasporic roots and movement aesthetics of multiple jazz dance styles. Coursework will also incorporate the theory and pedagogy of Jazz Dance through readings, written assignments, and in-class and online discussions. All coursework is designed to improve a dance student's jazz technique, movement skills, understanding of musicality, theory, and history through participation and academic study, and the application of movement principles essential to the training to make a professional dancer.

DANC 341 is a class reserved for a variety of dance-related topics outside the regular course offerings of the Department of Theatre and Dance. It accommodates special and diverse topics otherwise not available through the dance program.

The objective of this course is to teach students to investigate what forces shaped who is celebrated and included, and who is marginalized or excluded in dance history. Coursework will engage students with material viewed through the multiple frameworks of how race, ethnicity, class, religion, cultural belief systems, gender, sexuality, and politics intersect to shape, develop, and evolve dance history. Students will learn how to learn and how to write & speak about dance through in-class participation, written work, watching/analyzing dance on video, and in-class and online discussion of dance as an art form that goes beyond steps. Written assignments, classroom and verbal and online discussions are required. All coursework is designed to develop student's critical thinking capabilities to understand and articulate the fluid complexities of dance history through critical thinking, writing, verbalization, and research.

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, online discussions, and daily participation (verbal & written) are required.

This course builds upon the elements of the craft of choreography: space, time, effort/force and motivation from DANC 264 - Choreography I. The concepts learned can be applied to any genre of dance when choreographing. Movement invention will be approached through improvisation, movement studies, readings, performance viewings, video viewings and written assignments. An emphasis will be placed upon discovering your own unique expressive movement vocabulary and deepening your powers of observation of self, others and the world around you. Dancers will learn how to investigate movement and to probe and manipulate movement materials. Concepts will be explored as group dance composition. In preparing for a final composition showing, dancers will investigate issues that are important and use their findings to create a final work, a group work, either set on peers from class or people from outside the class. Dancers will leave this class with different methods of how to generate movement for themselves, and how to describe their movement using language to others.

A course in Dance Studio Management will provide the student with a road map for the annual cycle of a dance studio as a sole proprietorship and other aspects of a community-oriented enterprise. The focus will be on the administrative portion of the operation as opposed to the artistic side. Etiquette, communication skills, procedures, financial and legal aspects of the dance studio business will be discussed in detail. Other applications such as drafting a business plan, developing policies, creating a competitive website, market research, completing tax forms and other hands-on exercises will be put into practice. The skills acquired in this course can be applied to other performing arts ventures. DANC 370 provides the student with transferable skills which reflect the University's mission to enrich the world through scholarship, artistic expression, community engagement, and entrepreneurship. This course is not recommended for first-year students.

This lecture/movement lab practicum will focus on the fundamentals of teaching studio dance forms to age K-12. All coursework is designed to introduce students to teaching strategies which address the psychological, physical, and cognitive aspects of dance instruction. Practical instruction in multiple studio dance forms, academic investigation of theories of learning, and presentation of teaching methodologies are required.

This course will explore the unique challenges of capturing and creating dance for camera. Through class screenings of film and video work, class exercises, reading and discussion, students will learn about various historical and contemporary issues and approaches in combining dance and the moving image. Students will work alone and in small collaborative groups to create their own works integrating dance and video. At the end of the course, students should be able to articulate meaning in dance on film or video, discuss, analyze, and critique both student projects and professional dance screen works. Through creative projects, students will develop their own visual style and an increased proficiency with digital video cameras and editing. The Department of Theatre and Dance and the Department of Communication will not support technical requests for any of the video projects in the form of studio/performance space, props, costumes, scenery or lighting, or equipment.

This course will build upon the editing and camera skills, and creative research acquired in 387 Screendance I, (prerequisite), this course challenges the student to propose three projects ranging from work for the screen, work for gallery or installation, and work from integration into live performance. In collaboration with a faculty advisor and chosen venue, the student will then select one proposed project for completion and final production. Student(s) will be strongly encouraged to submit work(s) to festivals and/or present finished work(s) to audiences in innovative formats. The Department of Theatre and Dance and the Department of Communication will not support technical requests for any of the video projects in the form of studio/performance space, props, costumes, scenery or lighting, or equipment.

This lecture course will inform students of the history of jazz dance as it relates to the African Diaspora and African American roots of jazz dance. Through lectures and media, students will gain familiarity with significant individuals and social forces that shaped the development of jazz dance. Students will learn to recognize and discuss the movement and rhythmic aesthetics of American Jazz Dance. Course topics include discussion of the culturally diverse social, vernacular and popular dances jazz dance draws upon. Classes will explore the influences of African American movement aesthetics present in social, studio, commercial and musical theater traditions of American Jazz Dance.

A capstone course for graduating dance majors. Students will propose to the faculty a senior project that will take place over a two-semester time period. Possible senior projects include performance or choreographic projects, research projects, dance videography projects, or other topics upon advisement. Students will take this course twice in subsequent semesters.

This course builds upon the elements of the craft of choreography: space, time, effort/force and motivation from, DANC 364 - Choreography II. The concepts learned can be applied to any genre of dance when choreographing. Movement invention will be approached through improvisation, movement studies, readings, performance viewings, video viewings and written assignments. An emphasis will be placed upon discovering your own unique expressive movement vocabulary and deepening your powers of observation of self, others and the world around you. Dancers will learn how to investigate movement and to probe and manipulate movement materials. Concepts will be explored as soloists and group works. In preparing for a final composition showing, dancers will investigate issues that are important and use their findings to create a final work, a solo either set on themselves or someone else, or a group work. Dancers will leave this class with different methods of how to generate movement for themselves, and how to describe their movement using language to others.

An independent study that will provide a rigorous academic experience equivalent to that of any other undergraduate course. Independent study courses are ways to explore a subject in an in depth approach specific to the dance field or closely related subject of the student's academic interest. To do an independent study project, it is recommended that the request be made in the form of a written proposal prior to the end of the previous semester of when the intended Independent Study would start. Permission of instructor and department is required.

This course will prepare senior BFA dance majors for their capstone concert which will take place in their senior year. The focus of this course will be on the development of creative dance works, solo and group, as well as the administrative and production elements that are essential to produce a dance concert.

This course is a continuation of DANC 485 - Senior Project Seminar. The focus of the course will be to finish the research and creative process of the solo and group requirements, and produce a BFA Senior Project concert.

Internship in dance teaching for graduate dance students. By audition only. May be repeated.

Internship in dance teaching for graduate dance students. By audition only. May be repeated.