Course Catalog 2009-2010

Associate Professor Gill Wright Miller, Chair

Associate Professors Sandra Mathern-Smith, Gill Wright Miller; Resident Musician and Composer Terrence Karn; Production Assistant and Academic Administrative Assistant Susan Kosling

The Department of Dance is committed to the liberal arts study of "dance as an art form" and the belief that such a study necessitates an integration of the kinesthetic (body), the intellectual (mind), and the emotional/ internal (spirit). We see this trinity (body/mind/spirit) as the core concern of the discourse, the discipline and the department as we explore physical and metaphysical material both artistically and academically, exposing students to the principles of dance through movement and through theoretical inquiry. We seek to encourage these body/mind/spirit experiences to serve as a foundation for personal, creative, intellectual, and artistic freedom.

Practically, we strive to balance breadth with depth both in our movement opportunities and in our theoretical inquiries and to tie technique into theory and theory into technique. The opportunity for application in critical research and concert performance is available early in the student's career, enabling her/him to become independently productive in the application of these principles. Ultimately, our aim is to expose students to a wide variety of approaches by utilizing primary and secondary sources. Finally, we both support and encourage collaboration through interdisciplinary work.

44 credits minimum. The Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance reflects a philosophy that integrates principles of theory and technique resulting in the informed viewing of and practical participation in dance activity and performance. Studio course work includes technique classes, performance, repertory, composition, reconstruction of modern and post-modern dance, ballet, and world dance forms. Theoretical course work includes reading, writing, and moving with an emphasis on exposing theory. The boundaries between technique and theory are purposefully blurred, indicating our commitment to a liberal arts curriculum rather than a conservatory curriculum.

All dance majors must take four theoretical core courses: Dance 284 Dance Improvisation and Composition; Dance 374 Experiential Anatomy and Kinesiology; and Dance 384 Introduction to Movement Analysis AND one of the following courses: Dance 174 Understanding Dance OR Dance 274 Cultural Studies in Dance History OR Dance 302 Women and the Arts OR Dance 322 Dance and Ethnicity.

Dance majors must also enroll in a minimum of 16 credit hours (8 courses) of technique in any configuration of genres. However, all majors must reach or achieve the highest level of both Contemporary and Ballet.

Dance majors are required to produce a senior research project representing their culminating experience in the discipline. There are two paths from which to choose: critical theory research or choreographic research. Students must complete a 2-credit seminar in their junior year reflecting their intention in one of these areas. These seminars, Seminar in Critical Theory Research and Methodology and Seminar in Choreographic Research and Methodology, concentrate on preparing the student for research by either written or choreographic means. All students must enroll in a 4-credit Senior Research course in which the completion of their research, either written or choreographic, is the focus during their senior year.

Additionally, all majors must complete a 2-credit seminar in concert production and receive a minimum of 4 repertory credits by auditioning, being cast in and performing a work by a faculty or guest artist (Repertory credit is awarded proportionate to the number of contact hours).

Dance Major Requirements:

TECHNIQUE 16 credits (awarded at 2 credits per course)

Majors must reach Level III in both Contemporary Dance (Dance 332) and Ballet (Dance 342).

THEORY 16 credits (awarded at 4 credits per course)

Each of these:

And one of these:

INTEGRATING EXPERIENCES (accumulating to 12 credits)

*Repertory credit is awarded at a rate of one credit per 50 rehearsal/production/performance hours - typically one credit per work performed - for works created or reconstructed by faculty or guest artists (.5 credits for subsequent works performed in the same semester).

The minor in dance consists of a minimum of 24 credit hours. Minors must complete 12 credit hours (i.e., three courses) in theory, at least one from each of two Sub-Groups:

The minor must also take a minimum of 12 credit hours in studio courses, technique or repertory, which must include Level III in either Contemporary Dance (Dance 332) or Ballet (Dance 342) or an equivalent program of study in World Dance forms, as approved by the department.

With department approval, minors have an option of completing a semester-long senior research project in lieu of a third theory course. In this instance, a student would need to enroll in the Seminar in Critical Theory Research and Methodology OR Seminar in Choreographic Research and Methodology and Seminar in Production, prior to completing their Senior Research project.

Dance Minor Requirements:

TECHNIQUE/REPERTORY 12 credits

8 in one area (the chosen area of focus) AND any combination of 4 in the other two areas. All minors must take Level III in either contemporary dance or ballet technique or an equivalent program of study in World Dance forms as approved by the department.

*Technique classes are awarded 2 credits per course.

**Repertory credit is awarded at a rate of one credit per 50 rehearsal/production/performance hours - typically one credit per work performed - for works created by faculty or guest artists (.5 for subsequent works in the same semester).

THEORY 12 credits (awarded at 4 credits per course)

At least one from each sub-group:

Sub-group A

Sub-group B

The General Education distribution requirements include two 4-credit-hour courses within the Fine Arts Division. Dance technique courses, at 2 credit hours per course, award students "half" of a Fine Arts General Education requirement. Any combination of two technique classes fulfills one General Education Fine Arts Division requirement.

It is expected that students might enroll at the same technical level for more than one semester. Generally, a student remains at the same level for one year.

Dance majors are advised to take all theory courses in their sophomore and junior years. This schedule is necessary to supply the foundation for the Senior Research Project either in critical theory or in choreography. The Senior Research Project is undertaken in the fall semester of the senior year.

In all technique courses, the first week of classes serves as a placement audition. Instructors will be watching students in the first week of classes in order to adjust placement where levels are inappropriate. When registering, please follow the guidelines listed below:

Seminar in Production (DANC-110).  This seminar focuses on many aspects of dance concert production. Topics covered include budgeting, marketing, graphic design, costume design/construction, lighting design for dance, box office and house management, video documentation, scheduling and backstage production. Professionals/faculty in the various subfields will present information. Students will collaborate in the production of department-sponsored events. Limited readings will be assigned. A portfolio of completed work is required. (Not offered fall) 2

World Dance I - Burmese (DANC-122).  The World Dance series offers dance experiences with non-Western forms. This level one course expects no previous experience and is open to all students regardless of previous dance training. Course work includes instruction in technique, outside readings, performance observation and optional performance opportunities. Emphasis is placed on learning the culture and history of the dance and understanding its significance in context. Courses offered tend to be thematic over the course of a year. A variety of forms have been offered including Balinese, Indian Classical forms Bharata Natyam and Odissi, African forms (e.g., Ghanaian, West African), Capoeira, Flamenco, and Japanese Butoh. World Dance forms offered 2009-10 are Burmese and African/Jazz. 2

Contemporary Dance I (DANC-132).  This course offers students a basic movement experience that strives to promote greater integration of mental and physical knowledge and kinetic awareness. Exercises emphasizing placement, flexibility and strength will be taught. Attention to the body, breath, momentum and the use of gravity for efficiency will be emphasized and improvisation will be introduced. Outside work may include an introduction to the history of modern dance through video viewings and readings; creative movement projects and quizzes. Concert attendance and critical responses are examples of outside work that will be required. 2

Ballet I (DANC-142).  This course serves the student with no previous training, and those who have had little training or none recently. Basic body placement, the positions of the feet, simple port de bras, and other simple movements are taught. The proper carriage of the body in classic ballet technique is explored through elementary barre and centre exercises. A brief introduction to the history of ballet dance in the U.S. is included through video viewings and readings. Concert attendance and critical responses are examples of outside work that will be required. (Not offered fall) 2

Understanding Dance as an Art Form (DANC-174).  This course is open to first-year students with an interest in dance in practice and in theory. Students need not have danced previously. We will taste ballet, contemporary, and African/Jazz dance in a handful of master classes while considering dance as a socio-cultural mode of expression with a fine arts agenda. Field trips to live concerts by professional dancers will be included and are required as "texts" for this course. Students should be prepared to commit to 2-4 field trips over the course of the semester. (Not offered fall) 4

Speical Topics in Dance (DANC-194).  2-4

Introductory Topics in Dance (DANC-199).  A general category used only in the evaluation of transfer credit. 1-4

World Dance II - Burmese (DANC-222).  This course, open to students with previous dance study (although not necessarily in the form of dance offered), focuses on the same forms as are brought into focus in World Dance I. In this more advanced class, the instructor will assume students will be able to assimilate physical information more quickly. Therefore, this course will cover these forms in greater detail and with greater depth in the same amount of time. Limited work outside the classroom is required; examples include concert attendance, journal writing, video essays or historic/cultural research. Performance opportunities are often integrated into the course as capstone experiences. Learning the culture, history and significance of the dance form is emphasized. World Dance forms offered 2009-10 are Burmese and African/Jazz. 2

Contemporary Dance II (DANC-232).  This course offers students a heightened movement experience with an emphasis on technical development and aspects of performance. Exercises emphasizing placement, flexibility and strength are taught, with specific attention given to gravity, transition, phrasing and movement of the torso and limbs in opposition and harmony. Limited work outside the classroom is required; examples include concert attendance, journal writing, video essays or historic/cultural research. 2

Ballet II (DANC-242).  This course will begin with a limited review of the basic work prior to the study of a greater variety of steps. This will be followed by an increased emphasis on epaulement, pirouettes, adagio and petit and grand allegro in center work. The level of technique expands to include longer, more controlled adagios, more variety of turns, effort to improve elevation and extension, and a development of port de bras in relationship to carriage and performance. Limited work outside the classroom is required; examples include concert attendance, journal writing, video essays or historic/cultural research. (Not offered fall) 2

Cultural Studies in Dance History (DANC-274).  This course will frame Western concert dance as a complex political activity made public through various agendas of race, creed, national origin, sexuality, and gender. Students will simultaneously be exposed to poststructuralist epistemology and feminist theory while they are meeting a survey of historical works. The course is less about coming to know a canon of "masterworks" and more about learning how to interrogate dance in any culture from a western perspective. (Not offered spring) 4

Composing the Bode/Improvisation and Composition (DANC-284).  In this course, students will study and research composition for the human body and its environment, placing and shaping the body in juxtaposition or in relation to specific and chosen spaces. We will look at both time-based art forms and still images and create works that utilize compositional elements of space and time found in the visual arts of painting and photography as well as dance and installation art. The focus of this course will be the formal elements that inform the aesthetics of composition, noticing how these basic compositional elements create tension, drama and meaning and can point to content that is inherent in the form. Students will create compositional works in video and movement in several different compositional assignments. The use of text as a prompter of and inspiration for movement also will be investigated. The final project will be the creation of a site-specific movement/performance work for a chosen environment on the Bryn Du Estate (a publicly owned space in Granville) that will be presented at the end of the semester. Students will be responsible for the publicizing of the event, as well as the production elements of sound, costume and lighting. No experience in dance necessary, but an interest in and curiosity about the body as the subject of creative work is essential. (Not offered spring) 4

Intermediate Topics in Dance (DANC-299).  A general category used only in the evaluation of transfer credit. 1-4

Women and the Arts (DANC-302).  This course will consider how women artists have expressed what goes into the building of a home. We will think about different settings (during peacetime, wartime, in various cultures with or without partnes and/or families), in different individual needs and tastes, and different genres for the recording of that expression. This will entail four kinds of considerations: First, we will read sections from Timeless Way of Building, Language of Landscape and House Thinking; then we will deconstruct those readings to explore issues addressed by feminist theory, issues like comparable worth, coming to voice, single-parenting. All the while we will look at those issues expressed in artworks by and about women -- paintings, dances, music, novels, short-stories, and finally over the course of the semester, we will create a work ourselves around a physical dwelling -- whether that means dressing a window, painting a wall, or making something physical happen within it. No dancing involved. 4

Dance and Ethnicity (DANC-322).  This course investigates the historical aesthetic practices of a human society outside of the West along its religious, political, economic and ecological foundations and accomplishments. The course will include emergence of other dance forms from the neighboring regions, focusing on their emergence as an expression of devotion, ethnicity and a means for intercultural communications. In Spring 2008, this course will center on the Southern Slavic region, including Slovenia, Serbia, Croutia, Macedonia, Bosnia, and Herzegevina. 4

Contemporary Dance III (DANC-332).  Contemporary III is designed for students with significant experience in modern or contemporary dance training. This course provides the student with the rigorous training required for performance and demands an attitude that anticipates professionalism. Students will be challenged to integrate both technical and qualitative skills while continuing to develop strength, flexibility, endurance, and a sensitivity to gravity, momentum and phrasing. Advanced classes meet for two hours three times a week. No outside work is required. (Not offered spring) 2

Ballet III (DANC-342).  Like Contemporary III, this course is designed for the most advanced dancers in the department and requires an attitude of dedication that anticipates professionalism. The level of the class in general determines the material presented. Advanced classes meet for two hours three times a week. The opportunity to work on pointe at the student's individual level is available. No outside work is required. (Not offered fall) 2

Seminar in Critical Theory Research and Methodology (DANC-352).  All junior dance majors who intend to engage in critical theoretical research projects are required to meet with the permanent dance faculty weekly for this course that explores basic sourcing and methodology skills in critical dance research. Specifically, this seminar focuses on the creation and production of a prospectus or research proposal that outlines the research question, what sources will be used, where any field work will be done, and how the results of the field work will be reported, evaluated, and interpreted. The first half of this seminar will incorporate reading from various texts to reveal processes and methodologies. The second half will focus on completing the prospectus and securing internships and permissions to pursue fieldwork. Students are required to attend all regular class meetings, participate in discussion, act as peer evaluators and share the progress of their work with their peers. Near the end of the semester, junior majors submit requests for departmental funding for their senior research project, to be determined competitively and announced by June 1. (Not offered fall) 2

Seminar in Choreographic Research (DANC-354).  All junior dance majors who intend to engage in choreographic research projects are required to meet with the permanent dance faculty weekly for this course that focuses on the creation and production of an original choreographic work to be presented and produced. Students will be responsible for all aspects of production of their work, including lighting, costuming, music/sound, and set designs, and will be expected to understand how decisions on each impacts their work and supports their creative ideas. The first half of this seminar will incorporate reading from various texts to reveal processes and methodologies. The second half will focus on completing the choreography, producing the work and developing their senior research proposal. Students are required to attend all regular class meetings, participate in discussion, act as peer evaluators and share the progress of their work in research and rehearsal with the class. Near the end of the semester, junior majors submit requests for departmental funding for their senior research project, to be determined competitively and announced by June 1. (Not offered fall) 2

Directed Study (DANC-361).  Individual pursuits in (1) composition/improvisation/choreography, (2) history/cultural studies/criticism, (3) experiential anatomy/kinesiology/systems of movement re-education, or (4) movement analysis/reconstruction, under the supervision of a faculty member. Only those students who have had the initial coursework in that pursuit may apply. 1-4

Directed Study (DANC-362).  Individual pursuits in (1) composition/improvisation/choreography, (2) history/cultural studies/criticism, (3) experiential anatomy/kinesiology/systems of movement re-education, or (4) movement analysis/reconstruction, under the supervision of a faculty member. Only those students who have had the initial coursework in that pursuit may apply. 1-4

Independent Study (DANC-363).  1-4

Independent Study (DANC-364).  1-4

Experiential Anatomy/Kinesiology (DANC-374).  Through various approaches to learning (memorizing factual information, sharing personal body-centered stories, drawing evocative and descriptive images, and moving through guided developmental movement explorations), students will be introduced to anatomy and kinesiology in their own bodies. The course materials approach the body primarily through different kinds of movement activities in relation to reflexes and developmental material through skeletal, muscular, and neurological systems. Students are required to keep weekly journals, work in small study groups, and create a series of personal bodywork sessions for themselves to illustrate their command of anatomical and kinesiological terminology and reasoning. (Not offered fall) 4

Movement Analysis (DANC-384).  Students will learn aspects of both a quantitative system called Labanotation and a qualitative system called Laban movement analysis in an exploration of analyzing and recording movement. The course will result in the reconstruction of small movement studies from scores and the creation of small movement scores from observation. Depending on the make-up of the class, we may reconstruct a classic modern or ballet work for performance and/or create scores for improvisational performing. (Not offered fall) 4

Special Topics in Dance (DANC-394).  From time to time, according to the expertise of the faculty and the interest of the students, special courses that can address intensive study will be arranged and offered. This course can be taken more than once for credit. Courses recently offered are Contact Improvisation, Music for Dance and Creative Collaboration in the Arts. 2-4

Advanced Topics in Dance (DANC-399).  A general category used only in the evaluation of transfer credit. 1-4

Performance Workshop (DANC-410).  The technical aspects of producing a concert are applied through practical experience. Performance space preparation (the hanging of lights, laying of the floor, and the building of audience space) and the designing of lights, costumes, and publicity are taught by means of application. Students are awarded credit based on the number of hours of involvement. .5-2

Repertory: World Dance (DANC-420).  New and reconstructed works choreographed by faculty and guest artists in world dance are learned by students and rehearsed for public performance. Credit is awarded at a rate proportionate to the number of contact hours, generally 1 credit per work. Differences in course number refer to genres of performance work. By audition only; auditions are held during the first two weeks of each semester or immediately preceding a short residency by a guest artist. .5-1

Repertory: Contemporary (DANC-430).  New and reconstructed works choreographed by faculty and guest artists in contemporary dance are learned by students and rehearsed for public performance. Credit is awarded at a rate proportionate to the number of contact hours, generally 1 credit per work. Differences in course number refer to genres of performance work. By audition only; auditions are held during the first two weeks of each semester or immediately preceding a short residency by a guest artist. .5-1

Repertory: Ballet (DANC-440).  New and reconstructed works choreographed by faculty and guest artists in the ballet genre are learned by students and rehearsed for public performance. Credit is awarded at a rate proportionate to the number of contact hours. Differences in course number refer to genres of performance work, generally 1 credit per work. By auditions only; auditions are held during the first two weeks of each semester or immediately preceding a short residency by a guest artist. .5-1

Repertory: African/Jazz (DANC-450).  New and reconstructed works choreographed by faculty and guest artists in an Afro-centric form are learned by students and rehearsed for public performance. Credit is awarded at a rate proportionate to the number of contact hours, generally 1 credit per work. Differences in course number refer to genres of performance work. By auditions only: auditions are held during the first two weeks of each semester or immediately preceding a short residency by a guest artist. .5-1

Senior Research in Critical Theory or Choreography (DANC-451).  The integration of theoretical and technical course work through the intensive examination of a specific interest is the foundation for the senior dance major's own research. During the course of the semester's work, each student will write up a significant dance research experiment, produce several excerpts of historical works in concert, create and produce an original choreographic work, or comment on a period in dance's history or a sociological movement in dance, or the like. The resultant document/performance will be presented publicly for an identified audience in partial fulfillment of the degree requirements. Course offered fall semester only. Revision of the main work may continue into the spring semester without additional credit hours. 4

Senior Research in Critical Theory or Choreography (DANC-452).  The integration of theoretical and technical course work through the intensive examination of a specific interest is the foundation for the senior dance major's own research. During the course of the semester's work, each student will write up a significant dance research experiment, produce several excerpts of historical works in concert, create and produce an original choreographic work, or comment on a period in dance's history or a sociological movement in dance, or the like. The resultant document/performance will be presented publicly for an identified audience in partial fulfillment of the degree requirements. Course offered fall semester only. Revision of the main work may continue into the spring semester without additional credit hours. 4