Dance
Erin J. Lane, Assistant Professor
Dance plays an important role within the Department of Theatre and Dance. Our focus in the department is on the following outcomes: Train Deeply, Think Critically, Grow Spiritually and Share Freely. We feel that dance is a unique vehicle with which to do all of those things. From Composition classes where students explore their own creativity through choreography to high-end workshops with leading professionals in the field, we offer a wide range of opportunities for dance students to train and share their love for this universal art form. We always remember that our “vital purpose” (Education at The Principia p. 107) is to help students in their pursuit of spiritual progress and that dance can be a powerful way to do just that.
The maximum transferable credit for a minor in theatre or dance is two courses or six semester hours. Non-credit theatre and dance production courses are not transferable.
Visit our webpage for more information and find us on Facebook.
DANC 030 Dance Composition - No Credit 0.0 SH [ ]
A course designed to introduce the student to the fine art of composition for dance. Respected texts are used to guide the students through the process of creating work for the stage. Students identify key components of effective composition, practice these principles, and produce pieces that illustrate their skill as choreographers. For non-dance minors whose academic load exceeds 18 hours.
Class Level Restriction: Sophomore and Junior and Senior only.
DANC 043 Dance: Ballet I - No Credit 0.0 SH [GEPE]
Introduction to the basic principles and vocabulary of ballet. Flexibility, strength, and control are emphasized.
DANC 044 Dance: Ballet II - No Credit 0.0 SH [GEPE]
Provides the intermediate dancer with ongoing training in ballet technique. Emphasis is on center work and adagio.
DANC 045 Dance: Ballet III - No Credit 0.0 SH [GEPE]
Provides the more advanced dancer with an upper-level technique class emphasizing pointe work and petit allegro.
DANC 048 Dance: Jazz I - No Credit 0.0 SH [GEPE]
Introduction to the basic principles and vocabulary of jazz technique and rhythm.
DANC 079 Dance Styles - No Credit 0.0 SH [GEPE]
Dance technique course that provides technical training and exposure in a variety of styles. Including but not limited to: tap, hip-hop, lyrical, social dances, cultural dance styles (ex: Irish or dances from the African Diaspora), creative movement, partnering etc. Taught with one technique emphasis or as a survey course with an emphasis in multiple styles. Can be taken multiple times.
DANC 080 Dance: Modern I - No Credit 0.0 SH [GEPE]
Introduction to the basic principles and vocabulary of modern dance. Emphasis is on individual expression through the use of improvisation, modern dance technique, and rhythm.
DANC 081 Dance: Modern II - No Credit 0.0 SH [GEPE]
Builds on the basic modern dance techniques and allows greater exploration of improvisation and movement sequences.
DANC 082 Dance: Modern III - No Credit 0.0 SH [GEPE]
Continuation of DANC 081. Further development of modern technique and improvisation and floorwork. Exploration of different styles of modern dance, e.g. Limón, Graham, and others.
DANC 083 Dance as Movement - No Credit 0.0 SH [GEPE]
This introductory course is provided to train the student dancer in spatial awareness, weight transfer, and basic studio-dance movement. It is a generic dance class designed to enable dancers to make connections between basic pedestrian movement and dance vocabulary movements.
DANC 143 Dance: Ballet I 1.0-2.0 SH [ ]
Introduction to the basic principles and vocabulary of ballet. Flexibility, strength, and control are emphasized. May be offered for variable credit from one to two semester hours.
DANC 144 Dance: Ballet II 1.0-2.0 SH [ ]
Provides the intermediate dancer with ongoing training in ballet technique. Emphasis is on center work and adagio. May be offered for variable credit from one to two semester hours.
DANC 145 Dance: Ballet III 1.0-2.0 SH [ ]
Provides the more advanced dancer with an upper-level technique class emphasizing pointe work and petit allegro. May be offered for variable credit from one to two semester hours.
DANC 148 Dance: Jazz I 1.0-2.0 SH [ ]
Introduction to the basic principles and vocabulary of jazz technique and rhythm. May be offered for variable credit from one to two semester hours.
DANC 179 Dance Styles 1.0-2.0 SH [ ]
Dance technique course that provides technical training and exposure in a variety of styles. Including but not limited to: tap, hip-hop, lyrical, social dances, cultural dance styles (ex: Irish or dances from the African Diaspora), creative movement, partnering etc. Taught with one technique emphasis or as a survey course with an emphasis in multiple styles. Can be taken multiple times.
DANC 180 Dance: Modern I 1.0-2.0 SH [ ]
Introduction to the basic principles and vocabulary of modern dance. Emphasis is on individual expression through the use of improvisation, modern dance technique, and rhythm. May be offered for variable credit from one to two semester hours.
DANC 181 Dance: Modern II 1.0-2.0 SH [ ]
Builds on the basic modern dance techniques and allows greater exploration of improvisation and movement sequences. May be offered for variable credit from one to two semester hours.
DANC 182 Dance: Modern III 1.0-2.0 SH [ ]
Continuation of DANC 081 or 181. Further development of modern technique and improvisation and floorwork. Exploration of different styles of modern dance, e.g. Limón, Graham, and others. May be offered for variable credit from one to two semester hours.
DANC 183 Dance as Movement 1.0-2.0 SH [ ]
This introductory course is provided to train the student dancer in spatial awareness, weight transfer, and basic studio-dance movement. It is a generic dance class designed to enable dancers to make connections between basic pedestrian movement and dance vocabulary movements. May be offered for variable credit from one to two semester hours.
DANC 200 Topics in Dance History 3.0 SH [GEA]
A comprehensive study of a notable topic in dance history whether it is a choreographer, particular period of dance, or specific topic, e.g., Politics and Dance, Antony Tudor. Students will be introduced to a particularly relevant viewpoint that includes historical context, analysis, and viewing. The title will be extended to describe the current topic. May be taken more than once if topics differ.
DANC 250 Dance History 3.0 SH [GEA]
An introduction to western dance history. Periods covered include, but are not limited to, the Baroque, Romantic, and Classical ballet eras and the Modern and Post Modern eras. Both ballet and modern dance luminaries are studied. Video is used and an emphasis is placed on historical context as regards dance styles and periods.
DANC 252 World Dance Cultures 3.0 SH [GEA]
An introductory course that explores the history of global cultures through current dance practices other than ballet and modern. Countries/cultural groups to be discussed include but are not limited to India, Japan, China, Hawai'i, Bali, Java, South America, Africa, Turkey, Native American, Caribbean and others. Video, movement experiences, historic context, dance design details will all be explored.
DANC 260 Dance Topics 1.0-3.0 SH [ ]
Group study of selected topics in dance. The title will be extended to describe the current topic. May be taken a total of eight times provided topics differ.
DANC 275 The Functional Moving Body 3.0 SH [ ]
Basic structural elements of the dancer’s primary tool—the body—are discussed. To inform proper functional alignment and biomechanics of movement, skeletal structure, major bones, muscle groups, joints, and anatomical plane—as used in movement—will be identified and explored. Students reflect on how animating principles of movement and a basic knowledge of bodily structure provides a clear sense of how dancers move.
Class Level Restriction: Junior and Senior only.
DANC 330 Dance Composition 3.0 SH [ ]
A course designed to introduce the student to the fine art of composition for dance. Respected texts are used to guide the students through the process of creating work for the stage. Students identify key components of effective composition, practice these principles, and produce pieces that illustrate their skill as choreographers.
Class Level Restriction: Sophomore and Junior and Senior only.
DANC 335 Creative Theory and Practice 1.0-3.0 SH [ ]
This course serves as a laboratory for the performing artist (theatre and/or dance) to solidify his/her own artistic practice and process, to analyze and evaluate best practices in their discipline, and to articulate the transformative power of the performing arts within a community.
Prerequisite: A minimum of two dance technique classes and DANC 370 or THEA 101.
DANC 370 Dance Practicum Cast 1.0-3.0 SH [ ]
Practical application in a dance production of classroom courses in a performance setting. Students participate in all aspects of a performance experience from auditions to learning and creating (if chosen as a choreographer) choreography, through the rehearsal process to the final mainstage performances for the community. May be offered for variable credit from one to three semester hours. May be taken more than once.
Fee=$15.00.
DANC 371 Dance Practicum Staff 1.0-3.0 SH [ ]
A dance production course designed to give students hands-on experience in assisting the director and, in certain cases, the technical director. Professionalism, self-discipline, strong communication skills, and team work are stressed. May be offered for variable credit from one to three semester hours. May be taken more than once.
DANC 372 Choreography Practicum 1.0-2.0 SH [ ]
This is a production course designed to enrich and strengthen the student choreographer’s skills through participation in a faculty-directed but student-centric, main stage dance production. Choreographic staff will fully explore the performance process from the initial auditions through the public performances. Professionalism, self-discipline, team work, generosity of spirit, and personal creativity will all be stressed.
Prerequisite: DANC 330.
Class Level Restriction: Sophomore and Junior and Senior only.
