DAN: Dance

DAN 130. Movement for Performance. 3 Credits.

The purpose of this course is to improve body intelligence, providing a strong foundation for acting and dance performance. Yoga and Pilate based exercises are incorporated to build strength and flexibility. Laban's system or analyzing movement using space/time/effort is examined in this course along with movement sequencing improvisation, visualization and relaxation techniques. No previous dance or acting training necessary.
Typically offered in Spring.

DAN 132. Modern Dance I. 3 Credits.

This course is an introduction to modern dance as a 20th century art form which makes use of the integration of "mind" and "body" into an expressive and communicative whole. The work in this class has many layers, including ongoing development of physical skills as well as explorations into improvisation, choreography and the historical contexts that have shaped modern dance.
Gen Ed Attribute: Arts Distributive Requirement.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

DAN 133. Jazz Dance 1. 3 Credits.

This course will bring students together in movement practice and expression through the investigation of various American Jazz dance forms. Students will focus on the technical elements that form the practice, as well as the musicality and rhythmic structure that is essential to the form. In these experiences students will search to find their own "voices" within the movement.
Gen Ed Attribute: Arts Distributive Requirement.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring & Summer.

DAN 134. Beginner's Ballet. 3 Credits.

This course is designed to teach fundamental ballet technique and vocabulary at the beginning level. The emphasis will be on using anatomically sound principles to promote efficient use of the body and develop kinesthetic awareness. The course also includes an over view of the history of ballet from its origins until present day.
Gen Ed Attribute: Arts Distributive Requirement.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

DAN 135. Tap Dancing I. 3 Credits.

The primary purpose of this course is to introduce the fundamentals of tap dance technique, form and function. Emphasis will be given to basic steps, building combinations, musicality, performance of movement, and understanding the historical background of tap dance as an art form.
Gen Ed Attribute: Arts Distributive Requirement.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

DAN 136. Introduction to Ballroom Dance. 3 Credits.

The purpose of this course is to teach students the basic steps of ballroom dance, smooth, rhythm and Latin dances. Emphasis will be placed on lead and follow techniques, proper footwork and positions, and how to recognize and dance to different types of music. While most of the techniques taught in this class are from the American style of ballroom dance, students will learn the historical context of the diverse cultures from where they originated and be able to contextualize their global significance. This course will also enable the student to participate in social occasions requiring ballroom dancing skills, such as weddings, formal social and business parties, as well as informal occasions.
Gen Ed Attribute: Arts Distributive Requirement.
Typically offered in Fall.

DAN 137. African Dance. 3 Credits.

Through readings, discussion, videos, movement, essays, and other intensive projects, this course will explore dance and music from West Africa and the African Diaspora.
Gen Ed Attribute: Arts Distributive Requirement.
Typically offered in Spring.

DAN 138. Hip Hop Dance I. 3 Credits.

The primary purpose of this course is to introduce the fundamentals of hip hop dance technique, form and function. Emphasis will be given to basic steps; building combinations, musicality, and understanding the cultural influences through a theoretical and historical investigation of hip hop dance styles as an art form.
Gen Ed Attribute: Arts Distributive Requirement.
Typically offered in Spring.

DAN 150. Athleticism and Artistry in Dance. 3 Credits.

This course will explore the vast field of dance. Students, as a group, will move through historical, traditional, and emerging dance forms investigating their artistic and athletic make-up. Students will have in-depth discussions based on their readings and film viewings in order to deepen their understanding of dance.
Gen Ed Attribute: Arts Distributive Requirement.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring & Summer.

DAN 199. Transfer Credit. 1-10 Credits.

Transfer Credit.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.
Repeatable for Credit.

DAN 205. Improvisation. 2 Credits.

This course examines the nature of improvisation ion terms of movement and explores the process of discovering, creating and performing movement spontaneously.
Pre / Co requisites: DAN 205 requires a prerequisite of DAN 130 or DAN 132 or DAN 232 or DAN 332.
Typically offered in Spring.

DAN 210. The Dancer's Body. 3 Credits.

An exploration of the body systems, along with injury prevention and care, especially as it applies to the dancer. This course incorporates the physical practice of yoga, Pilates and other mind and body techniques as they apply to the preparation for the physical demands of dance technique.
Gen Ed Attribute: Arts Distributive Requirement.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

DAN 232. Modern Dance II. 2 Credits.

Modern Dance II is a continuation and expansion of Modern Dance I. It will focus on Modern Dance as a performing art with emphasis placed on longer combinations and more complex problem-solving themes.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

DAN 233. Jazz Dance II. 2 Credits.

This course is a continuing development of jazz dance form and function (introduced in Jazz 1) with emphasis on proper jazz technique, introduction of intermediate level rhythms and combinations, expanding movement capabilities, and exploring individual expression and artistry.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

DAN 234. Ballet II. 2 Credits.

Ballet II is an intermediate-level course designed to expand on the ballet fundamentals and basic vocabulary learned in Ballet I.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

DAN 235. Tap Dancing II. 2 Credits.

The primary focus of this course is to introduce the fundamentals of tap dance at an intermediate level. Emphasis will be given to focus and presentation of steps and combinations, musicality, and individual expression through movement.
Typically offered in Fall.

DAN 300. Controversial Bodies: Visions of Beauty. 3 Credits.

Controversial Bodies: Visions of Beauty will foster a discussion of bodily beauty across the multiples fields of theater, dance, history and sociology. In creating a course that holds these two physical markers, the body and beauty, at its core, a space can be filled within the university's curriculum where central to the course is the notion that the body is a social and cultural entity and that, markers of bodily beauty are constructed differently across various cultures and time periods. In particular, Controversial Bodies: Visions of Beauty, examines how figures in the performing arts have pulled the make-up of beauty in opposite directions, reinforcing or subverting the norms of what is socially and politically acceptable, playing with nudity, androgyny and ugliness, and rewriting the markers of beauty in terms of race, gender, age and bodily type.
Gen Ed Attribute: Interdisciplinary Requirement.
Typically offered in Fall & Spring.

DAN 315. Dance Pedagogy. 3 Credits.

Basic course offering methods and materials for teaching dance technique.

DAN 332. Modern Dance III. 2 Credits.

Modern Dance III is a continuation and expansion on Modern Dance I II. This course will focus on exploring various teaching techniques and styles that have been developed by prominent figures in Modern Dance.

DAN 333. Jazz III. 2 Credits.

Continuing development of jazz dance technique with emphasis on varying styles of jazz techniques, advanced rhythms and combination, expanding movement capabilities, and exploring individual expression and artistry.

DAN 334. Ballet III. 2 Credits.

Ballet III is an advanced level ballet course, expanding the student's repertoire and proficiency of ballet steps, including advanced steps and the basics of ballet choreography. Substantial previous ballet training is recommended.

DAN 335. Advanced Tap. 2 Credits.

This course is a continuing development of tap dance technique (introduced in TAP 1 and Tap 2) with emphasis on proper tap technique, more advanced rhythms and combinations, musicality, improvisational skills, individual expression and artistry.

DAN 344. History of Dance. 3 Credits.

This course aims to provide a thorough background of dance as a fundamental form of human expression. Topics shall include the historical roots and recent status of theatrical dance forms, recent trends, and evaluation of dance as an art form in relation to larger society. Explored are physiological, sociological, and psychological implications of a variety of dance forms. Film and other materials focus on parallel development in related arts. As in most liberal arts education, these connections to related arts add to the student's understanding and broadened perspective of how the arts thread together seemingly diverse aspects of our society.
Gen Ed Attribute: Writing Emphasis.
Typically offered in Fall.

DAN 346. Repertory Development. 2 Credits.

This course is designed to give the students experience learning new and/or existing choreography in a professional rehearsal setting. Admission to the course is by audition or permission of the instructor. Auditions take place the first week of fall semester; email the instructor for audition details.
Typically offered in Fall.
Repeatable for Credit.

DAN 380. Cuban Rumba: Cultural Identity. 3 Credits.

This course is a theory and practice course, designed for students interested in exploring the layered social and cultural history of Cuba, through the lens of its national dance, the rumba. Cuban rumba is made up of three different dances: guaguanco, yambu, and columbia; which this course will focus on embodying, while simultaneously examining its history and place within society. Inside the theoretical conversations, the focus will shift and build from its African and Spanish lineage to social repression on the island, architecture as a container for community and performance, gender agency, and cultural identity appropriation.
Gen Ed Attribute: Foreign Language Culture Cluster, Spanish Culture Cluster.

DAN 399. Directed Studies in Dance. 1-3 Credits.

Research, creative projects, reports, readings in dance. Students must submit applications to advisors one semester in advance of registration.
Repeatable for Credit.

DAN 441. Dance Composition & Choregraph Techniques. 3 Credits.

The art of dance composition. Basic elements of space, rhythms, and motion dynamics. Students design original movement, progressing from simple to complex solo and group forms.
Pre / Co requisites: DAN 441 requires a prerequisite of one of the following courses: DAN 232, DAN 233, DAN 234, DAN 332, DAN 333, or DAN 334.
Typically offered in Fall.

DAN 442. Musical Theatre Dance and Choreography. 3 Credits.

This course covers the appropriate methods, materials, and skills needed for preparing and staging dance in a musical production. Special emphasis will be given to the choreographic process as well as the role of the choreographer.
Pre / Co requisites: DAN 442 requires a prerequisite of one of the following courses: DAN 232, DAN 233, DAN 234, DAN 332, DAN 333, or DAN 334.
Typically offered in Spring.

DAN 446. Repertory Performance. 2 Credits.

The purpose of this course shall be the study of various elements of performance and dance production. All are integrated into a final performance given in the spring semester. Admittance is by audition during the fall semester.
Typically offered in Spring.
Repeatable for Credit.

DAN 499. Dance Seminar. 3 Credits.

Intensive examination of a selected area of study in dance. Topics will be announced in advance.
Repeatable for Credit.