Dance Program: Dance & Academics

All dance courses apply to the arts distribution requirement. Non-western dance courses fulfill the world civilizations foundation requirement or culture foundation requirement according to the corresponding culture area. Half-credit courses may be taken one at a time to satisfy one course credit for any of these requirements. All courses may serve as electives; a few may be taken multiple times. Graduate students and others may petition the Dance Program to register for dance courses for zero credit should space be available. The use of dance courses toward foundation, distribution, minor, and concentration requirements is subject to general university policies with regard to the number of courses applied from any one department.

Please contact Alice Trexler for dance advising.

Minor:

An all-dance minor may be completed through dance/drama minor (4.5-5 credits) pending course rotations. Alice Trexler should be contacted to approve your program goals toward the beginning of course work. These courses also double-count for the arts requirement.

In addition to the courses you choose for your own goals, two courses (Dnc 117: Dance Composition and Dance 70 Viewing African American Dance) are required. OR: Students in a more evenly divided dance/drama minor may choose to complete the required component with two of the following: Drama 1, Drama 4, Drama 137, Drama 138 which are offered in alternate semesters.

Majors:

Drama
Movement/dance can be a focus, or individual courses become a cluster within the drama major.

American Studies
Dance may be applied to the 'Individually Designed Cluster' or in a more limited way to the 'Representation and Performance in Arts and Humanities' cluster.

Plan of Study
Interdisciplinary major which may include dance as one of the two or more academic areas. Each major is approved by the Curriculum Committee and concludes with a project or thesis. Find more on the Plan of Study on the Student Services website.

Senior Project: Students who have successfully completed Dnc 117 (dance composition) may seek approval to complete a half-credit senior project (Dnc 192) in a spring semester. Choreographers work with a mentor/advisor.

Dance Studies Award: This award is presented to a senior in the all-university ceremony each April. Creative/intellectual qualities as well as breadth of dance courses selected are some of the elements considered.

Merit in Dance Awards: These Dance Program awards are presented each spring to upperclassmen who have regularly participated in our classes and concerts. Students are recognized for qualities such as performing abilities,contributions to classes, volunteering with dance in area communities, and the like.