Movement Practices and Dance Studies
Professor Berry demonstrates in an African/Diasporan class
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, composition, re-construction of modern, post-modern, ballet and world dance forms from this and previous centuries. Theoretical course work includes reading, writing and moving with and emphasis on applying theory. The boundaries between movement practice and dance studies or theoretical investigations are purposefully blurred, indicating our commitment to a liberal arts curriculum rather than a conservatory approach.
Course work is taught by full-time faculty members and augmented by guest artists. Not every course we offer is offered every semester, but we strive to offer at least one course in each of the categories every year. Our curriculum aims to reflect the needs of the student body and the skills and strength of the faculty at any given time.
Courses Offered
- Introductory Experiences:
- Movement Practices:
Understanding Dance as an Art Form
Seminar in Production
African/ Diasporan
Including aspects of
Traditional African
West and South African
Contemporary African
American Jazz
Modern/Postmodern
Including principles of
Release Technique
Contact Improvisation
Alexander Technique
Bartenieff Fundamentals- Dance Studies:
Cultural Studies
Western Dance History
African American Dance History
Modernism Recomposed
Compositional Studies
Site-Based Work
Improvisation in Performance
African Movement Aesthetics
Choreographic Investigations
Text/Voice-based Work
Somatics/Human Movement
Somatics I & II
Including principles of
Ideokinesis
Bartenieff Fundamentals
Body Mind Centering®
Movement Analysis
(rotating emphasis)
Labanotation
Laban Movement Analysis
Reconstruction