Requirements for the Major
Moderation
Prior to Moderation, students must take a minimum of
- four credits in technique and
- Dance 117 - Composition I; Dance 217 - Dance Composition II
Once accepted, students may choose to concentrate in creative work, performance, or both.
Upper College Course Work
Once a student moderates, requirements for the major include;
- two courses in movement practices per semester, including; three ballet courses; a minimum of two courses in a non-western dance form or practice (e.g. African diaspora, Palestinian dabkeh); one semester of an upper level four day a week intensive;
- participation in a dance work/piece for performance – student and/or faculty;
- Dance 317, Dance Composition III (if concentrating in performance, first two levels);
- Dance 355, Materials of Movement;
- Dance 360, Dance History;
- one course in a somatic practice (e.g. Alexander technique)
- one course in practicing arts disciplines outside of dance;
- Jr/Sr Seminar – a course whose central topic will explore issues relevant to contemporary dance practice (see page 2)
- a writing and/or criticism course (e.g., Philosophy and the Arts);
- MC 401/402 – Senior Project – which includes a required weekly writing LAB that allows seniors to share their research and writing with peers, under the guidance of a member of the dance faculty.
Jr/Sr Seminar:
Led by various Dance Program faculty, Junior/Senior Seminar will allow students to learn about, discuss, and form their own perspectives on issues central to contemporary dance practice. Depending on the lead faculty member’s expertise, students will explore topics such as the relationship between dance and music; contemporary issues in dance studies; social justice and contemporary performance practices; dance writing and criticism; dance and politics; and issues in dance education. This course is geared towards junior and senior dance majors as well as those interested in entering an in-depth exploration of contemporary issues in dance.