Dance Course Descriptions
Dance 110
- Basic Technique
One-half course for one year. Drawing primarily from the techniques
of American modern dance, this class provides a foundation for
further study in a variety of dance forms. Students will learn the
essentials of both classic and contemporary movement vocabularies
and explore elements of choreography through improvisation and
composition. The course includes a discussion of historical and
critical perspectives from which to view and write about
contemporary performance. Elementary instruction in rhythm and
kinesiology is also provided. Studio.
Dance 211
- Intermediate Contemporary Dance I
Full course for one semester. Technical study explores the
techniques of Limon, Nikolais and Cunningham. Students investigate
the elements of dance through improvisation and composition,
creating movement vocabulary and building dance phrases. Dances
choreographed in class are presented in the end of semester
concert. Studio.
Dance 212
- Intermediate Contemporary Dance II
Full course for one semester. Classical and contemporary forms will
be the bases from which students develop strength, flexibility and
versatility in movement. Composition will focus on orchestration of
traditional structures as a vehicle for solo and group dance works.
Students participate in discussion and critique of class work and
perform in the end of semester concert. Studio.
Dance 221
- Contemporary Performance Ensemble
One-half course for one semester. This course focuses on
performance through the development, rehearsal, and production of a
contemporary dance work. Students will address the technical,
stylistic, and interpretive challenges of the choreographic
material presented as well as developing and manipulating
choreographic material of their own. Work in and out of class
leading to performance will be supported through written responses,
small group sessions, and critiques. Prerequisite: instructor’s
permission or audition. Dance 211 and 212 (or Dance 210) strongly
recommended. Offered on a credit/no credit basis only. May be
repeated for credit, with departmental approval. Studio.
Dance 252
- Improvisation
One-half or full course for one semester. Since the early 1960s,
improvisation has played an increasingly more sophisticated role in
contemporary dance. This course will investigate contemporary
improvisational practices that are at once creative, performative,
and philosophic. The first half of the course will focus on contact
improvisation, a partnering form that explores the exchange of
physical support, the practice of which has challenged notions of
gender roles, ability and disability, and community structure. The
second half of the course will focus on choreographic
improvisation, an ensemble form in which movement scores are
developed and refined over time, and which has influenced changing
views of the function of performance and the relationship of
makers, performers and viewers of dance. Prerequisite: one year of
dance technique, or one year of intermediate-level creative work in
dance, music, theater, creative writing, or the visual arts.
Studio.
Dance 311
- Advanced Technique and Composition
Full course for one semester. This class will emphasize rigorous
technical training and advanced work in choreography. Technical
material will be drawn from classic as well as contemporary
movement vocabularies and will include detailed work in alignment
and introductory partnering. Choreography assignments will focus on
using a variety of source materials and conceptual bases from which
to generate both detailed movement material and formal structures.
With permission of the instructor, the course may be repeated as an
advanced practicum. Prerequisite: Dance 211 and 212 or equivalent
experience. Studio.
Dance 312
- Advanced Technique and Composition
Full course for one semester. Rigorous technical training and
advanced work in choreography. Technical material will be drawn
from the Nikolais and Limón vocabularies. Choreography assignments
will center on non-musical sources for movement invention and
various approaches to orchestration of movement material. With
permission of the instructor, the course may be repeated as an
advanced practicum. Studio. Not offered 2005-06.
Dance 321
- Dance Traditions of Western Civilization
Full course for one semester. A survey of the development of dance
as a performing art in Western culture, beginning with Greek dance,
the court ballet, dances of the Renaissance, and nineteenth century
romantic ballet. Lecture-conference.
Dance 322
- Twentieth Century American Dance
Full course for one semester.
Beginning with the Diaghilev ballet and early pioneers of modern
dance, this course traces the development of both modern dance and
ballet in the United States. Covers the work of major twentieth
century choreographers, including Balanchine, Graham, Humphrey,
Weidman, Nikolais, Cunningham, and the postmodernists.
Lecture-conference. Not offered 2005-06.
Dance 330
- Dance Theory and Criticism
Full course for one semester. A survey of the choreographic
theories and criticism of major choreographers of the twentieth
century. Particular attention is given to Fokine, Balanchine,
Graham, Humphrey, Cunningham, Nikolais, and the postmodern
movement. Conference. Not offered 2005-06.
Dance 335
- Special Projects in Choreography: Choreographic Identity--Martha, Merce, and Me
One-half or full course for one semester. An in-depth analysis of
the works of Martha Graham and Merce Cunningham through readings,
viewing of videos, and learning movement excerpts from selected
works by each choreographer. Based on this process, students will
conduct an analysis of their own movement and choreographic style,
creating a short work based on their personal movement vocabulary
and aesthetic vision. Prerequisite: Dance 211, 212 or equivalent
experience. May be taken for credit in different topics up to three
times. Studio.
Dance 340
- Dance and Technology
One half or full course for one semester. This class will explore
image-making using computer animation, video, digital photography,
and other technological tools. Students will create performances
works exploring the combination of technologically created images
and live performance. Prerequisite: Dance 211 and 212 (or Dance
210), one year of dance technique, or one year of
intermediate-level creative work in dance, music, theater, creative
writing, or the visual arts. Studio. Not offered 2005-06.
Dance 350
- Cultural Studies in Dance
Full course for one semester. Gender, ethnicity, and sexual
orientation continue to be among the critical markers of difference
in our society--differences that not only have profound effects in
the lives of individuals but broadly affect our institutions,
values, and norms. As an embodied cultural practice, dance is
uniquely positioned to signal, reinforce, or challenge social
categories of identity--to explicitly and implicitly reflect or
reconfigure our notions of self and other. This class will consider
concepts in cultural studies, focusing especially on identity, in
order to explore both what cultural studies can offer dance and
what dance can offer cultural studies. Prerequisite: sophomore
standing. Conference-studio. Not offered 2005-06.
Dance 481
- Independent Study
One-half or full course for one semester. Prerequisite: approval of
instructor and division.
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