Faculty:

• Ken Clothier, M.F.A.
• Joseph Domencic, M.M.
• Karen Glass, M.F.A.
• Mary Susan O’Neill, B.S.
• Denise Pullen, M.F.A.
• TaMara Swank, M.S.
• Kellee Van Aken, Ph.D.
• Stefan Zubal, M.F.A.

The major in dance offers a broad foundation of training that prepares students for maximum flexibility in career choices upon graduation. All students must choose an area of concentration: the performance track is geared for students whose primary goal is to pursue careers as performers; the choreography track is for students most interested in dance composition; and the pedagogy track prepares students to teach dance in a variety of settings. The major also provides excellent preparation for students who hope to further their dance studies in graduate school.

Dance is a kinesthetic discipline in which extensive physical involvement is necessary for learning to occur. Students who major in dance or who enroll in dance courses must be physically able to complete the requirements for each course.

Learning Objectives: Dance

1. Execute the basic tasks of the performer, memorizing text or movement, participate in an ensemble, employ good technique to communicate to an audience, and use the body in an expressive and effective way.
2. Perform basic technical theatre functions such as operating a sewing machine, hanging and focusing a stage lighting instrument, and operating basic power tools of a scene shop, as well as constructing and painting scenery.
3. Demonstrate the ability to function congenially, cooperatively, and productively in the construction and running of a theatrical production by participation in various crew responsibilities.
4. Analyze representative works from the major periods of theatre or dance history through research papers, discussions, and written responses.
5. Identify characteristics of physical theatres, patterns of production organization, and production techniques of major periods of theatre or dance history.
6. Compare critical standards by which theatre and dance have been judged throughout history.
7. Identify artistic and cultural elements influenced by an exploration of dance from a liberal arts perspective.
8. Identify, analyze, and evaluate movement.
9. Compare and contrast the relationship of dance to other art forms and disciplines.
10. Incorporate technical skills in performance to dance expressively.
11. Demonstrate a high level of proficiency in a variety of dance disciplines with a strong foundation in ballet technique.
12. Demonstrate the ability to synthesize dance terminology, technology, history, pedagogy, and choreography.
13. Identify and implement music into desired creative expressions in dance performance, pedagogy and choreography.
14. Identify the fundamental elements involved in one or more aspects of production design.
15. Apply observational skills and aesthetic judgment to effectively articulate creative ideas through verbal, written, choreographic, and performance modes of expression.
16. Synthesize program objectives to create goals to support the pursuit of graduate studies or other professional endeavors.

All candidates for the Bachelor of Arts degree in dance must complete the Liberal Arts Curriculum requirements, the capstone assessment requirement, and the required courses for the major.

Acceptance into the dance major is based on the successful completion of an audition and interview with dance faculty, as well as admission to the University. Completion of this process enables the applicant to compete for merit-based scholarships in dance. The audition process also provides an assessment of the applicant’s proficiency in Modern Dance, Tap, Ballet, and Jazz; any necessary remediation that would be required through level one courses is established as a condition of admission.

The capstone assessment includes successful completion of required coursework and assignments; completion of a first year goal-setting assignment in relation to the integration of dance and University learning objectives; effective fulfillment of required performance work; completion of at least one of the highest level of course offerings in the student’s chosen area of concentration; and achievement of designated proficiencies. Students must also complete required internships where applicable, a major entrepreneurially-oriented project in the student’s chosen area of professional focus, and a statement on how the attainment and integration of major and University learning objectives informed the project and the student’s plans for the future.

A minimum of 120 credits is required.