Dance Minor

This course is designed to explore cultures from around the world, emphasizing how dance is derived as an expression and reflection of each culture and people. Students will have the opportunity to actively experience, analyze, and participate in the study of world dance and culture. Students will experience a cross-cultural examination and analysis of dance traditions and movement through historical, critical, artistic, and socio-cultural contexts. (Prerequisites: PRFN-240 or PRFN-243 or PRFN-244 or PRFN-246 or PRFN-247 or PRFN-250 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring, Summer).

This course explores the evolution of dance from early movement to the diverse representation of dance found in the world today. Emphasis will be placed on the study and appreciation of dance through an exploration of theory, history, and the perspective of cultural and social impacts, along with traditional and experimental dance forms. Students will experience and reflect on a survey of dance forms through lectures, discussions, literature references, and viewings of film and live performance. Lecture 3 (Fa/sp/su).

This course introduces students to the study and appreciation of jazz dance through an examination of movement concepts, artistic principles, and the exploration of theory, history, and socio-cultural perspectives. Students will explore various styles of jazz such as Broadway, Street, and Contemporary. Emphasis will be placed on body isolations and rhythmic phrasing to help students develop an appreciation for jazz dance as an art form. Students will discover new capabilities regarding flexibility, strength, coordination, balance, and their comprehension of jazz dance in relation to music, space, time, and energy. Through practice and application, students will develop a physical appreciation of dance from the experience of movement and creative expression. Learning about jazz dance performance and history through the use of images, video, practice, and discussions as well as reading and writing assignments will be part of the course. Lec/Lab 4 (Fall or Spring).

This course introduces students to the study and appreciation of hip hop through an exploration of theory, historical and aesthetic foundations, and socio-cultural perspectives. Students will experience a variety of movement qualities, develop techniques for proper body stretching and conditioning, and be exposed to basic hip hop styles and trends. Students will discover new capabilities regarding flexibility, strength, coordination, balance and their comprehension of hip hop dance in relation to music, space, time and energy. Through practice and application, students will develop a physical appreciation of dance from the experience of movement and creative expression. Learning about hip hop dance performance and history through the use of images, video, practice and discussions as well as reading and writing assignments will be part of the course. Lec/Lab 4 (Fall or Spring).

This course is designed as an introduction to dance as a developmental, expressive, and creative art form. Students will learn how the artistic principles and movement concepts of: basic rhythms, dance technique, improvisation and beginning choreography; impact the creation and execution of modern dance. Students will discover new technical capabilities regarding flexibility, strength, coordination, balance and their comprehension of modern dance in relation to music, space, time and energy. Through practice and application, students will understand the unique structure of their own bodies and expand their awareness of self and others. Theoretical aspects of dance related to historical and socio-cultural contexts will be explored. Learning about dance performance and history through the use of images, video, practice and discussions as well as reading and writing assignments will be part of the course. No previous dance experience is required. Lec/Lab 4 (Fall, Spring).

This course is designed as an introduction to ballet observed through artistic principles, movement concepts and the exploration of technique. Students will discover new technical capabilities regarding flexibility, strength, coordination, balance and their comprehension of the ballet form in relation to music, space, time and energy. Through practice and application, students will understand the unique structure of their own bodies and expand their awareness of self and others. While the primary focus is on strengthening individual dance technique and knowledge of traditional and contemporary ballet movements, dynamic alignment, movement efficiency, connectivity, articulation, phrasing, and breath support, students can expect to develop an appreciation for aspects of the ballet aesthetic while considering theoretical aspects related to historical and socio-cultural contexts. Learning about dance performance and history through the use of images, video, practice and discussions as well as reading and writing assignments will be part of the course. No previous dance experience is required. Lec/Lab 4 (Fall, Spring).

This course focuses on the study and appreciation of dance and choreography through an exploration of theory, history, and social-cultural perspectives encompassing the elements related to designing movement. Students will explore various approaches of dance composition and the creative process from historical and cultural perspectives while examining the interactions of dance and movement found in society today. Attention will also be placed on the role of designing movement and space beyond the dance studio. Examples from live and recorded performances, as well as digitally produced creations such as animations in television, movies and video games, will be examined. Lec/Lab 4 (Fall or Spring).

This course focuses on the study and appreciation of the intersection of dance and technology. Students will examine historical and contemporary integrations of technology in both the creation and production of dance. This inquiry-based exploration broadens perspectives and encourages inventiveness as students actively investigate the relationship between dance and technology. (Prerequisites: PRFN-240 or PRFN-243 or PRFN-244 or PRFN-246 or PRFN-247 or PRFN-250 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring, Summer).

This course focuses on the significance of African dance and movement intertwined in historical, cultural, and social contexts. Students will actively experience, analyze, and participate in the study of dance from various regions of Africa. Students will explore how African dance offers a different perspective of movement compared to a more western focus. (Prerequisites: PRFN-240 or PRFN-243 or PRFN-244 or PRFN-246 or PRFN-247 or PRFN-250 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring, Summer).

In this course, students will actively experience, analyze, and participate in the study of the relationship between dance and movement behavior. Students will creatively engage with emotional, physical, and cognitive processes through the movement of the body. Emphasis will be placed on self-awareness and a first-person experience of movement. (Prerequisites: PRFN-240 or PRFN-243 or PRFN-244 or PRFN-246 or PRFN-247 or PRFN-250 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring, Summer).

This course focuses on applying the tools of choreography to storytelling, emotional representation, and abstract creation. Students will explore the use of costumes, music, props, and other elements in the creative process of choreography. (Prerequisites: PRFN-250 or equivalent course.) Lec/Lab 4 (Fall, Spring).

This course applies technical, performing, script analysis, stage management, and other skills to an actual theatrical production. Students contract with a department mentor for responsibilities and the appropriate credit expectations. In addition to production responsibilities, students are expected to complete reading and writing assignments connected to the production. This course is repeatable for credit. (Enrollment in this course requires permission from the department offering the course.) Lec/Lab (Fall, Spring).

This course gives students the opportunity for focused, in-depth study of a selected advanced topic in theatre, using seminar and workshop approaches. Specific topics vary from semester to semester, and address such areas as methods of acting, playwriting, production design, systems of analysis, genres of dance, translation, and historical influences on theatre art. This course is repeatable for credit. Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring).