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 education, production/stage management, arts administration, dance therapy, dance science/medicine, dance history, dance wellness, 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 relatively small class sizes allow our professional faculty to work closely with each dancer, guiding them individually in their preparation and career pathway. The spirit of creative investigation, original research, and development of connections are main themes - courses stress personal creativity, individual growth, and strong dance training, within a greater context of collaboration and 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. The Dance Studies major can be easily paired with a minor or potentially another major in the student’s area of interest.

  also available.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will possess the following competencies:

• Fundamental knowledge of biomechanics, injury prevention, somatic awareness and of anatomy as applicable to work in dance and with other bodies.
• An inclusive and unbiased approach to understanding multiple techniques, their historical development, and training/pedagogical approaches for realizing a variety of diverse dance styles.
• The ability to identify and work conceptually with the elements of dance, and realize their framework and application in creative, performance, therapeutic, and educational realms.
• Experience with differing choreographic processes, aesthetic properties of style, and the ways these shape and are shaped by pluralistic and cultural ideas and contexts.
• An introduction to the intersections of dance with history, culture, science, art, politics, therapy, education, and technology, and how these are informed by issues of equity/power structures, and diversity.
• The ability to develop and defend critical evaluations, collaborate and engage with multiple perspectives, self-reflect, and self-assess.

 

Program Director

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

Dance Studies Program Requirements

Total credits required to fulfill major: 60