Dance

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance (132 units)

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance is designed to prepare students for professional careers as performers and/or choreographers. All students wishing to pursue the BFA in Dance must demonstrate strong technical skill and must audition after successfully completing the following course work with a minimum GPA of 3.0: DANC 120; 6 units from DANC 152 and/or 252; 6 units from DANC 154 and/or 254; and one unit from DANC 181A, 181B, 381A, 381B. If students are enrolled in requirements at the time of the audition, they may audition with a signed Grade In Progress form from the instructors of the in-progress courses. Students may not apply after they have completed 90 units.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Majors will demonstrate proficient skills and technique in modern dance and ballet, with competency in jazz dance and/or other forms, enabling them to pursue professional dance careers.

2. Majors will demonstrate competencies in choreographic processes that support the development of creative and collaborative professional opportunities.

3. Majors will demonstrate substantial knowledge of the historical and scientific dimensions of dance, to give depth and perspective to the performance and pedagogical aspects of the dance discipline.

4. Majors will develop and demonstrate current methods and relevant strategies necessary to pursue professional careers in dance and dance-related fields.

5. Majors will demonstrate the skills necessary to analyze and review dance, both orally and in writing the history, concepts, and aesthetic qualities of dance.

6. Majors will demonstrate selected practical skills in the production and technological aspects of dance.

Requirements

Composition (8 units):

Take all the following courses:

• DANC 120 Improvisation (2)
  Prerequisites: Dance Majors, or Dance Minors who have completed DANC 112A, DANC 112B, or DANC 152.
• DANC 220 Composition I (3)
  Prerequisite: DANC 120. Corequisite: DANC 131.
• DANC 320 Composition II (3)
  Prerequisite: DANC 220.

Theory (29 units):

Take all the following courses:

• DANC 100 Orientation to Dance (1)
  Prerequisite: Dance Major.
• DANC 131 Introduction to Music for Dance(2)
  Prerequisites: Dance Major or Minor.
• DANC 161 Body Placement (2)
  Prerequisites: Dance Major.
• DANC 260 Functional Anatomy for the Dancer (3)
  Prerequisites: DANC 161 or consent of the instructor.
• DANC 261 Anatomy with Clay Laboratory (1)
  Prerequisites: DANC 161 or consent of the instructor. Corequisites: DANC 260 or consent of the instructor.
• DANC 342 Global Cultures and Dance Traditions (3)
  Prerequisites: Completion of GE Foundation Requirements.
• DANC 361 Pilates I (3)
  Prerequisites: Dance Major or Minor, DANC 260; or consent of instructor.
• DANC 442 Dance and Social Identity in the U.S. (3)
  Prerequisites: Completion of GE Foundation requirements. Students must have scored 11 or higher on the GWAR Placement Examination or completed the necessary portfolio course that is a prerequisite for a GWAR Writing Intensive Capstone.
• DANC 445 Movement Analysis (3)
  Prerequisites: Open to Dance Majors and Minors only.
• DANC 498 Senior Seminar in Dance (2)
  Prerequisites: Senior standing in the BFA program or consent of instructor.

Select one of the following courses:

• DANC 470A Dance Pedagogy (3)
  Prerequisites: Upper division standing, or consent of instructor.
• DANC 470B Ballet Pedagogy (3)
  Prerequisites: Upper division standing, or consent of instructor.

Select one of the following courses:

• DANC 491A Design for Dance Lighting (3)
  Prerequisites: Upper division standing or consent of instructor.
• DANC 491B Design for Dance Costuming (3)
  Prerequisites: Upper division standing or consent of instructor.

Performance/Crew (7 units):

Take two units from the following courses:

• DANC 181A, DANC 181B, DANC 381A, DANC 381B, DANC 481A, DANC 481B;

Take five units from the following courses:

• DANC 180A, DANC 180B, DANC 295, DANC 321, DANC 380A, DANC 380B, DANC 480A, DANC 480B, DANC 495.

Technique (26 units):

Take eleven units from the following courses:

• (2 units must be earned from 312)
• DANC 152, DANC 252, DANC 312, DANC 412

Take eleven units from the following courses:

• (2 units must be earned from DANC 314)
• DANC 154, DANC 254, DANC 314, DANC 414

Take two units from the following courses:

• DANC 216, DANC 316

Take two units from the following courses:

• DANC 412, DANC 414

General Education (3 units):

Take the following course:

• DANC 373 Nonverbal Communication: Interaction of Mind and Body (3)
  Prerequisites: GE Foundation requirements, completion of one or more Exploration course(s), and upper division standing.

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