DAN - Dance

A studio/performance-oriented, dance vocabulary, dance technique and dance history in various dance disciplines course. This course familiarizes students with little or no dance experience with basic movement concepts.

For Applied Dance Majors and Minors only.  This studio/performance multimodal course focuses on introducing the student to healthy, well-informed engagement as a practicing dance educator.  Material covered includes instruction and practice in overall self-care; an introduction to creative movement, dance vocabulary, and somatic practices; BrainDance; the concept of multiple intelligences; musicality and rhythmic development; and an introduction to dance pedagogy.

This studio/performance-oriented course focuses on development of basic skills of ballroom dance, the art of two bodies moving as one through the use of lead and follow techniques.  Emphasis is on standard ballroom dances, including waltz, rumba, mambo/salsa, tango, swing, and hustle.  May be repeated once.

A studio/performance-oriented course that focuses on fundamentals of jazz techniques. Studio work incorporates barre, development of strength and stretch, postural alignment and movement combination(s). Required for a major in Performing Arts. May be repeated once.

A studio/performance-oriented course. Develops the basic skills of modern dance techniques, and includes stretching, movement combinations, improvisations, postural awareness and relaxation. May be repeated once.

A studio/performance-oriented course that focuses on basics of tap dance technique. Studio work concentrates on mastery of individual dance steps/styles and the application of these techniques in movement combination(s). Required for a major in performing arts. May be repeated once.

This studio/performance-oriented course focuses on development of basic skills of working with a partner in class as well as onstage. Explores the fundamentals of two bodies moving as one through the use of lead and follow techniques as well as an introduction to basic lifts and dynamics of mutual support. Includes some basic ballroom forms as well as partner improvisation. Required for a major in performing arts. May be repeated once.

A studio/performance-oriented course that focuses on fundamentals of classical ballet techniques. Emphasizes body placement, theory of ballet turnout and development of basic skills in barre and floor exercises. Required for a major in performing arts. May be repeated once.

A studio/performance-oriented course. Studio class focusing on fundamentals of hip hop and funk technique, with an emphasis on athletic skills. Course also focuses on body placement, floor work, complex rhythmic patterns, funk "tricks" and advanced leaps, turns and jumps. May be repeated once.

A studio/performance-oriented course that focuses on development and exploration of West African dance techniques. Participants will explore the traditions, songs, music, language and dance of the people in Guinea, Senegal and Mali. Students will learn and perform traditional dances that celebrate rites of passage, courtship and healing. Emphasis in on rhythmic movement combination and strength building. May be repeated once. 

A studio/performance-oriented course that focuses on fundamentals of classical ballet techniques. Emphasizes body placement, theory of ballet turnout and mastery of basic ballet movements in barre and floor exercises. May be repeated once.

An examination of non-Western dance forms, including classical, ceremonial and folk/traditional, in their historical and cultural contexts. This course is enhanced by observing video and live performances.

A historical overview of 3,000 years of dance as an art form that has become a unique means of aesthetically expressing human emotions. Enhances study through viewing of videotapes and live performances.

This studio/performance-oriented course focuses on development of basic skills of Latin ballroom dance, the art of two bodies moving as one through the use of lead and follow techniques. Emphasis is on Latin dance forms, including salsa, samba, bachata, rumba and merengue. May be repeated once.

A studio/performance-oriented course for credit. Choreographing, performing or working on the technical crew for the Dance Happening. May be repeated for credit.

A studio/performance-oriented course for credit. Performing in or working on the technical crew for the Spring Dance Concert. May be repeated for credit.

A studio/performance-oriented course. This studio class focuses on advancement of jazz techniques. Studio work incorporates barre technique, continuation and development of stretch/ strengthening, postural alignment and movement combination(s). Fulfills jazz dance requirement for a major in performing arts. May be repeated once.

A studio/performance-oriented course that focuses on further development and exploration of modern dance techniques. Emphasis is on more complex movement combinations and strength building. May be repeated once.

A studio/performance-oriented course that focuses on advancement of tap techniques, including mastery of individual dance steps/styles and the application of these techniques in movement combinations. May be repeated once.

A studio/performance-oriented course that focuses on modern and jazz dance technique as it pertains to musical theater dance/performance. Studio work is devoted to mastery of individual dance steps and various movement styles, incorporated into movement combination(s). Required for a major in Performing Arts. May be repeated once.

A studio/performance-oriented course that focuses on basic and intermediate-level ballet techniques and French terminology. Emphasizes barre and floor exercises including turns, jumps and adagio movements. May be repeated once.

A studio/performance-oriented course focusing on the fundamentals of hip hop and funk dance technique, and includes an emphasis on athletic skills. Course also focuses on body placement, floor work, complex rhythmic patterns, funk "tricks" and advanced leaps, turns and jumps. May be repeated once.

A studio/performance-oriented course. This course is designed to help a student develop and reinforce positive lifestyle habits based on body awareness through a systematic program of stretching and relaxation techniques. May be repeated once.

A studio/performance-oriented course that explores creative movement skills and practices to build confidence, as well as techniques to prepare for building and choreographing dances. Emphases are on stretching boundaries of movement through improvisation, and practicing ways in which movement can be developed and manipulated toward choreography.

A studio/performance-oriented course. An exploration of methods of building and structuring dances, beginning with movement, phrasing and patterns, and culminating in choreography projects. May be repeated once.

A studio/performance-oriented course offering instruction and experiences in specialized dance techniques such as African dance and Caribbean dance.

This studio/performance multimodal course builds on concepts and practices from Applied Dance Fundamentals II.  Focuses on teaching practice, development of philosophy of teaching, and outside observation and assessment of various teaching practices.  Required for Applied Dance Majors.

Emphasis is on basic kinesiology principles and terminology as applied to dance training and technique with a focus on muscular-skeletal anatomy and function.  Includes assessment of core strength, muscular strength, balance, flexibility, and skeletal alignment in the context of a typical dance class.  Familiarizes students with common dance injuries, their causes, and basic methods of care and rehabilitation.  All of these areas will be applied to creating a safe and effective dance class.  Required for Applied Dance Majors and Minors.

A studio/performance-oriented course. Students continue to develop contemporary dance techniques on a more demanding level while exploring creativity through movement. May be repeated for credit.

A studio/performance-oriented course. Studio classes in advanced-level ballet technique. May be repeated for credit.

This course is designed to meet the needs of students to better understand the developmental considerations and the scope and sequence of dance curricular design and teaching methods appropriate to a wide range of ages and groups. National Dance Standards and application of assessment methods also will be utilized.

An intensive study involving the application of theoretical, philosophical, and pedagogical principles of dance education for the targeted population. Application for internship must be approved at least one semester prior to enrollment for the course.  Lectures and seminars about curriculums and instruction issues will be presented at the University.  Field experience placements will be based on elementary, secondary, or other community settings available at the time. 

This capstone course presents an opportunity to integrate skills and experiences into a final culminating project.  Sample topics range from creating a business plan for opening a dance studio to designing a program for a community-based dance program to constructing a plan and curriculum for movement-based learning in the classroom.  There will be an emphasis on the practical application of the project. 

This course is designed to help students to understand community-based art, and how to create--through research, writing, and practice--movement-oriented programs and relationships with community centers and organizations that include age considerations, curricular choices, and teaching methods appropriate to diverse populations.  Focus includes working with a variety of populations, which may include the mentally ill, older adults, people with disabilities, people in prisons, and people in hospitals and healthcare settings.