• Director: Dana L. Burgess
• Idalee Hutson-Fish Vicki Lloid

Dance is 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 Academic Information 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 Lloid

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 Hutson-Fish

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 Lloid

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. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

225, 226 Intermediate Ballet
1, 1 Hutson-Fish

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.

227, 228 Whitman Dance Theater:
Performance and Composition
1, 1 Lloid

This course includes rehearsal and performance of works choreographed by the instructor and/or students. At least one concert per semester is presented in Cordiner Hall. Special events are scheduled at the discretion of the instructor. Students may perform in as many works as they have time for and are encouraged, but not required, to present their own compositions. Rehearsal space and time is provided for student choreographers. Rehearsal times are arranged to fit the participant’s academic schedule. Standard grading. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

315, 316 Advanced Modern Dance
1, 1 Lloid

This class focuses on continued improvement in all areas with an emphasis on technical skill and performance quality. Two 80-minute classes per week. Standard grading. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

335, 336 Advanced Ballet
1, 1 Hutson-Fish

The work of this class continues to enhance the classical ballet student’s technical ability and deepen her/his expressive ability. Two 90-minute classes per week. Standard grading. May be repeated for credit.

337, 338 Dance Workshop
1, 1

Designed to permit close study of specific areas of dance. Subjects may change from semester to semester and year by year, depending on the needs of students and interests of instructors. The current offerings follow:

337 Dance Workshop: The Craft of Choreography
1, x Hutson-Fish

An exploration of the creative process of choreography. The class focuses on expressing felt experience in the externalized form of movement. Develops inner sensing and imaginative response and shaping. The course involves improvisation, composition, and a studio showcase final. The videotaped works of established choreographers will be viewed and discussed. Three hours per week. Standard grading. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

338 Dance Workshop: Dance Production
x, 1 Hutson-Fish

This class will reflect the working environment of the performing dance artist. The course will culminate in a production. Choreographed work will be set on the members of the class and staged for an audience to develop students’ abilities to communicate in a visual art form, to learn and choreograph quickly and to polish and prepare for performances. Students will be required to take an active role in other aspects of the production process such as: costuming, lighting, stage-managing and rehearsal protocol. Minimum five hours per week. Prerequisite: consent of the instructor. Graded credit/no credit.

360 Pointe
1, 1 Hutson-Fish

The work of this class is classical pointe work. One hour per week. Graded credit/no credit. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: 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.