Dance Studies - Major

The B.S. in Dance Studies is a degree with a rigorous foundation in both the arts and sciences. The program has a strong emphasis on both the “how” and “why” of dance, with a solid grounding in not only the physical, but also the cultural, historical, aesthetic, entrepreneurial, therapeutic, and theoretical functions of dance. The Dance Studies program prepares graduates for employment, graduate degrees, and/or certification programs in such areas as dance performance, choreography, dance pedagogy, production/stage management, arts administration, dance therapy, dance history, dance criticism, dance theory and research, somatic therapies, and movement analysis.

Emphasizing the development of the well-rounded dance artist living and working within a global and technological community, we are forwarding the concept of the “thinking dancer” through this program. The spirit of creative investigation, original research, and productivity are main themes - courses stress personal creativity, individual growth, and strong dance training, within a greater context of social awareness. The Dance Studies program will provide an excellent means of gaining in-depth knowledge of the art form and its related fields through multi-faceted training in performance, theory, wellness, interdisciplinarity, pedagogy, and current modes of research.

Dance - Minor

also available.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will possess the following competencies:

The ability to identify and work conceptually with the elements of dance.
An understanding of choreographic processes, aesthetic properties of style, and the ways these shape and are shaped by artistsic and cultural ideas and contexts.
An acquaintance with a wide selection of dance repertory, the principal eras, genres, and cultural sources.
The ability to develop and defend critical evaluations.
Fundamental knowledge of the body and of kinesiology as applicable to work in dance.
An understanding of procedures for realizing a variety of dance styles.

Program Director

Heather Roffe
Assistant Professor, Dance
Theatre Arts Department
Nazareth College
(585)389-2163
hroffe4@naz.edu

Dance Studies Program Requirements

Total credits required to fulfill major: 62

General Requirements

MUS.Q 102 - Introduction to the Language of Music Credits: 3
DAN 260 - Integrated Somatic Anatomy and Kinesiology Credits: 3

Composition Requirements

DAN 310 - Dance Theory and Improvisation Credits: 2
Required co-requisite: DAN 310L Dance Theory and Improvisation Movement Lab Credits: 1
DAN 322 - Choreography I - Theories of Dance Composition Credits: 3
DAN 380 - Choreography II: Advanced Theories of Dance Composition Credits: 3

Technique/Studio Requirements

Ballet - Minimum 8 credits required from the following courses:
DAN 101 - Ballet Barre: Strength and Stretch Credits: 1
Required co-requisite: DAN 101L Ballet Barre Movement: Strength and Stretch Lab Credits: 1
DAN 208 - Ballet I Technique Credits: 2
Required co-requisite: DAN 208L Ballet I Technique Movement Lab Credits: 1
DAN 308 - Ballet II Technique Credits: 2
Required co-requisite: DAN 308L Ballet II Technique Movement Lab Credits: 1
DAN 408 - Ballet III Technique Credits: 2
Required co-requisite: DAN 408L Ballet III Technique Movement Lab Credits: 1
DAN 207 - Open Ballet Technique Credits: 1
Required co-requisite: DAN 207L Open Ballet Technique Movement Lab Credits: 1
Modern/Somatics - Minimum 10 credits required from the following courses:
DAN 111 - Pilates Credits: 1
DAN 117 - Yoga Credits: 1
DAN 212 - Modern I Dance Technique Credits: 2
Required co-requisite: DAN 212L Modern I Movement Lab Credits: 1
DAN 312 - Modern II Dance Technique Credits: 2
Required co-requisite: DAN 312L Modern II Dance Technique Movement Lab Credits: 1
DAN 412 - Modern III Technique and Theory Credits: 2
Required co-requisite: DAN 412L Modern III Technique Movement Lab Credits: 1
DAN 213 - Special Topics in Contemporary Dance Technique Credits: 1
Required co-requisite: DAN 213L Special Topics in Contemporary Dance: Technique Movement Lab Credits: 1
Elective Options - Minimum 8 credits required from the following courses:
DAN 102 - Afro-Caribbean Contemporary Dance Credits: 1
Required co-requisite: DAN 102L Afro-Caribbean Contemporary Dance Movement Lab Credits: 1
DAN 211 - Jazz Dance I Credits: 1
Required co-requisite: DAN 211L Jazz Dance I Movement Lab Credits: 1
DAN 311 - Jazz Dance II Technique Credits: 1
Required co-requisite: DAN 311L Jazz Dance II Movement Lab Credits: 1
DAN 209 - Tap I Technique Credits: 1
Required co-requisite: DAN 209L Tap I Technique Movement Lab Credits: 1
DAN 309 - Tap II Technique Credits: 1
Required co-requisite: DAN 309L Tap II Technique Movement Lab Credits: 1
DAN 307 - Forms of Social Dance and Partnering Credits: 1
Required co-requisite: DAN 307L Forms of Social Dance and Partnering Movement Lab Credits: 1
DAN 313 - Musical Theatre Dance Styles and Auditions Credits: 1
Required co-requisite: DAN 313L Musical Theatre Dance Styles and Auditions Movement Lab Credits: 1

Theory Course Requirements

Complete 12 credits from the following courses:

DAN 105 - Fundamentals and Theory of Dance Credits: 2
Required co-requisite: DAN 105L Fundamentals and Theory of Dance Movement Lab Credits: 1
DAN.Q 130 - Dance and Culture Credits: 3
DAN 315 - Introduction to Dance/Movement Therapy Credits: 3
DAN 333G - PII Anthropology of Dance Credits: 3
DAN 350 - Dance as Art - History and Aesthetics Credits: 3
DAN 355 - The Art and and Theory of Dance Pedagogy Credits: 3

Performance/Production Course Requirements

Complete a minimum of five credits from the following courses:

THA 150 - Technical Theatre I Credits: 3 / THA 150L Technical Theatre I Lab Credits: 0
DAN 242 - Dance Performance/Repertory Credits: 3
THL Lab - Theatre Lab Credits: 0-1

Experiential Learning Courses/Senior Capstone

Complete a minimum of 3 credits from the following courses:

DAN 400 - Performance and Collaboration Credits: 3
DAN 401 - Dance and Community Engagement Credits: 3
DAN 499 - Senior Project