Dance

• Peter de Grasse

Dance is primarily an activity category under the current activity credit limitations. Students may earn a maximum of 12 credits in dance within the 16-credit limitation (see Credit Restrictions in the Academics section of the catalog). Courses may not be repeated for credit unless a statement to the contrary appears in the course description.

115, 116 Beginning Modern Dance
1, 1 de Grasse

This class introduces the beginning student to traditional dance class structure, starting with warm-up exercises designed to enhance flexibility, moving to a standing center “barre” to develop strength and technique, and finishing with center combinations and movement across the floor. By the semester’s end, students will have the ability to learn and perform, in one class period, complicated movement sequences. Two 80-minute classes per week. Standard grading. May be repeated for credit.

125, 126 Beginning Ballet
1, 1 de Grasse

An introduction to classical ballet technique. Emphasis on correct posture, muscular control, strengthening exercises and building a classical movement vocabulary. Three hours per week. Standard grading. May be repeated for credit. Open to all students.

215, 216 Intermediate Modern Dance
1, 1 de Grasse

This class is for the student who has acquired a general knowledge of movement and class structure. The focus is on expanding knowledge of dance vocabulary, improving strength and technique, and learning and performing more difficult movement sequences, and developing performance quality. The class is divided into warm-up/technique and learning new movement combinations which change weekly. Two 80-minute classes per week. Standard grading. May be repeated for credit.

225, 226 Intermediate Ballet
1, 1 de Grasse

For the student who has a fundamental understanding of ballet technique. The work of the course focuses on 1) improving the student’s ability to execute classical ballet technique with clarity and precision and 2) building the beauty and expressiveness of the dancer. Involves a more rigid criterion of discipline than Beginning Ballet. Standard grading. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Dance 125, 126 or previous formal training in classical ballet and consent of instructor.

234 Dance Performance and Composition
4, 4 de Grasse

Students will participate in the creation, rehearsal, and performance of original work. Learning choreographed movement will form the earliest stage of the creative process, during which students, acting as collaborators, will use a variety of discrete techniques, such as movement processing, acting work, and text generation, to contribute personal layers to an original work of theater which will keep dance as its main focus. In later stages of the process, students will receive artistic and technical coaching while preparing the work for performance. Standard grading. Academic credit. Prerequisite: Dance 115, 116, 125, or 126 or consent of instructor.

325 Advanced Ballet and Contemporary Dance
1, 1 de Grasse

This class focuses on continued improvement in all areas with an emphasis on technical skill and performance quality. Each class session will begin with ballet training and will then move on to an extended contemporary movement combination. Prerequisite: Dance 215, 216, 225, or 225 or consent of instructor.

344 Dance Performance
1, 1 de Grasse

This course gives students an opportunity to receive activity credit for participating in dance performances. Standard grading. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Dance 115, 116, 125, 126, 215, 216, 225, or 226 or consent of instructor.

385, 386 Independent Study
1-3, 1-3 Staff

Directed reading, research, or choreographing resulting in a paper or project. The student must submit a detailed proposal to the instructor in the semester preceding the anticipated study. The student is responsible for any extra expenses incurred in completing the project. Standard grading. Prerequisites: Dance 216 or 226 or the equivalent, and consent of instructor.