Course Descriptions

Dance

DANC 132: Survey of Dance Forms (1)
This course introduces dance as a performing art, focusing on the Western-European dance forms of ballet, jazz, and modern and their historical development and cultural characteristics. Additional course topics include a survey of global dance forms; concepts in viewing dance; the work of the dance artist in contemporary times; and dance as a reflection of social and cultural perspectives. This class is geared toward the student with little to no dance experience, however, all students who wish to learn about dance within its historical, cultural, and sociological context will also benefit greatly from this course. Students should expect to participate in both movement/dance class sessions as well as in lectures/discussions.ARTSStaff

DANC 145: Theory and Improvisation (1)
Theory & Improvisation guides the student in exploring the elements of dance through spontaneous movement. Participants work with, define, and discuss principles of dance such as space, time, shape, and force. Students focus their concentrations and physical abilities as they create their own movements in response to specific kinesthetic problems. They work as individuals, in duets, trios, and larger groupings, learning to respond to and work with fellow dancers as well as follow their own impulses.ARTSJSmith

DANC 152: Contemporary Dance I (1)
An introduction to the elementary principles, concepts and practices within contemporary dance forms, with a focus on manipulating the connections between somatic practice and performance preparation. The course immerses students in a kinesthetic dance experience that focuses on experiencing and creating dynamic alignment and embodied movement exploration in order to define and articulate dance as a means for knowing and/or communicating movement as performance.ARTSStaff

DANC 221: Somatic Practice for the Performing Artist (1)
This class will develop a basic understanding of the roots of the somatic approach; the relationship between the mind and movement; the kinds of results obtained with somatic techniques; and the causes of sensory-motor conflicts. The course will begin with the study of experiential anatomy and move into the analysis of both the theory and practice behind various somatic techniques. These techniques will include: the Alexander Technique, Body-Mind Centering, Laban Movement Analysis, Bartenieff Fundamentals and Authentic Movement.JSmith

DANC 246: Dance Composition (1)
Dance Composition focuses on applying the basic elements of dance into the creation of original dance compositions. Students enrolled in this course participate in weekly critiques that focus on learning how to articulate artistic thoughts and ideas in discussions while developing individual artistic goals and voices. JSmith

DANC 248: Teaching Assistant (1/2 or 1)
Staff

DANC 250: Independent Study (1/2 or 1)
Staff

DANC 252: Contemporary Dance II (1)
An intermediate dance technique course for students with some dance experience who are prepared to refine their skills and undertake new kinesthetic challenges. The focus is on increasing range and efficiency of movement as a means toward greater creative expression in communication and performance. Students engage with the history of noted dance works through viewing and analyzing the significance of meaning and metaphor in movement performance.Staff

DANC 260: Dance History & Contemporary Trends in Choreography (1)
This course introduces students to the history of western theatrical dance. We begin the study of this history within the courts of France and follow it through post-modern dance in America. The class meets three times a week; two of those meetings are used for lectures, the third for an experiential lesson that draws connections between dance and other fields of study. This course serves as the pre-requisite for the Chicago Dance Project (260A) where students experience dance in an urban setting. JSmith

DANC 260A: Chicago Dance Project (1/2)
Two-week December break program held in Chicago that is open to all students who have taken, or are currently enrolled in, the Dance History course. Students will participate in daily technique classes held at a professional studio of dance training, as well as attend four to six dance concerts over the program's duration. Trips will also be taken to the city's many art and cultural museums to create a full interdisciplinary art experience. JSmith

DANC 295: Special Topics (1/2 or 1)
Courses offered occasionally to students in special areas of Dance not covered in the usual curriculum.Staff

DANC 295B: (1)
This course will examine the creation and teaching of arts curricula in various community settings. Students will research the foundations of Service Learning as it pertains to the arts in education and arts programming. The emphasis of the programming designed for community settings will be based in movement and physical learning, though the programming template is applicable across the arts disciplines. Prerequisites: at least two 100-level courses in Theatre, Dance, Art or Music.

DANC 341A: Dance Ensemble (1/2)
Dance Ensemble offers advanced dance students intensive, practical experience in the performance process. Throughout the course, students work as a performing ensemble under the direction of different faculty and/or guest choreographers, with a focus on the process of creating, rehearsing, and performing multiple dance works. Students will learn different rehearsal and performance techniques, build ensemble skills, practice repertoire maintenance, and demonstrate a mastering of performance disciplines. This two-term course culminates with a fully produced performance of completed works. JSmith

DANC 341B: Dance Ensemble (1/2)
A continuation of DANC 341A.JSmith

DANC 343A: Choreography Workshop (1/2)
Choreography Workshop focuses on creating an intensive learning environment for dance students who have focused their dance studies on examining the choreographic process. Students work independently on developing dance works to be presented in a spring concert. Students are also required to write an artistic statement and proposal explaining what their goals are in creating their choreographic work, and they will participate in class sessions that focus on understanding how to communicate and collaborate with costume and lighting designers in creating a finished choreographic work, ready for performance. Staff

DANC 343B: Choreography Workshop (1/2)
A continuation of DANC 343A.Staff

DANC 348: Teaching Assistant (1/2 or 1)
Staff

DANC 350: Independent Study (1/2 or 1)
Staff

DANC 352: Contemporary Dance III (1)
An advanced dance technique course which focuses on crystallizing performance skills through refining movement vocabulary and movement intention. The courses draws on experiences in Contemporary Dance I and II in order to combine sophisticated technical knowledge with critical assessment to improve performers of dance in aesthetic, personal and social contexts.Staff

DANC 395: Special Topics (1/2 or 1)
Courses offered occasionally to students in special areas of Dance not covered in the usual curriculum.Staff

DANC 400: Advanced Studies (1/2 or 1)
See College Honors Program. Staff