

The B.A. degree program of study in Dance provides either a major or minor in dance. Students are encouraged to consider
a double major in dance and another field in the Columbian College of Arts
and Sciences or another school of the university.
The program for dance majors (39 semester hours) emphasizes the development
of a technically trained body, the processes involved in the creative activity
of making dances,and building a strong theoretical base for understanding
movement. The student prepares for a professional career in the multifaceted
field of dance as artist, entrepreneur, manager, or dance specialist. In addition,
courses in theatrical crafts such as lighting and costuming are required to
reinforce the concepts behind presenting dances in the theatrical environment.
The focus of the dance program is contemporary modern rather than classical
modern (Graham, Limon, etc). Our dance courses are allied with the body knowledge
found in somatic theories. Modern technique classes are offered at four levels.
We have an exceptional faculty, most are active artists creating and/or performing
dance professionally.
The adjunct faculty are specialists in dance techniques such as Classical
Indian Dance, Angola Capoeira, Classical Spanish Dance, and African-American
Dance. Extensive opportunities exist for the students to perform and create
original work. Concerts feature faculty, guest artist, and student choreography.
Students interested in creating dances may present their works in either of
two informal dance presentations or, by audition, in the Mainstage Concerts.
Students who minor in dance have equal opportunities to study dance technique,
the creative processes of dance, dance theory and the history of dance. The
same expectations of performance, creative activity and theatrical support
to the performances of the Dance Degree Programs hold true for the student
with a minor in dance. In addition to the well-rounded Dance requirements,
the four-year major program provides a strong foundation in the liberal arts
and sciences.
Columbian College of Arts and Sciences requires that each undergraduate student
complete 48 credit courses in seven major areas of study: Literacy, Quantitative
and Logical Reasoning, Natural Sciences, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Creative
and Performing Arts, Humanities, and Foreign Language and Cultures.