Dance

The Department of Dance offers curricula leading to bachelor of arts (BA) or bachelor of science (BS) degrees. The goal of the department is to provide comprehensive dance training within the liberal arts framework of the university. The serious study of dance involves intellectual, artistic, and physical development. The Department of Dance emphasizes all three areas of growth, a commitment made possible by the breadth of its curricular offerings and the depth of faculty expertise.

Facility with oral and written communication is one goal of a liberal arts education. Therefore, dance majors pursue a course of study to acquire a firm intellectual grasp of the theoretical, historical, and creative forces that shape dance as an art form.

Dance, unique in that it is also a physical form of communication, requires continual experience in its technical foundations. Students are expected and encouraged to experience a variety of forms of dance training and idioms. Production and pedagogy are also integral to the undergraduate core, because many students find careers in theater and teaching.

Goals for the Undergraduate Dance Major

1. Explore the field of dance from a liberal arts perspective
2. Explore disciplined technique and creative processes involved in the artistry of dance
3. Formulate an intellectual understanding of the historical, philosophical, and culturally significant aspects of dance
4. Develop a working knowledge of music and science as they relate to and enhance the dance experience
5. Develop an understanding of dance as a unique art form in conjunction with its relationship to other art forms and disciplines
6. Develop a level of competence in performance, creative, and theoretical aspects of dance to pursue graduate studies or other professional goals

Preparation. High school students planning to major in dance should include preparation in music, drama, art, and dance, especially modern dance and ballet.

Students transferring to the UO as dance majors after two years of college work elsewhere should have completed two terms of college-level English composition, as many of the university’s general-education requirements as possible, and training in modern dance and ballet techniques.

Careers. Career opportunities include performing in regional dance companies and teaching in universities, colleges, community colleges, community centers, fitness centers, and private studios. Business and technical theater management, dance science, dance research, and dance journalism offer alternatives to performance and creative work.

Admission

Students eligible for admission to the university may declare dance as a major. Entering freshmen should have a basic knowledge of dance and music as art forms and technical training in dance. Transfer students must meet any deficiencies in lower-division dance course work by proficiency examination or by completion of the core course at the first opportunity.

Students are placed in levels of modern and ballet technique according to skill. Each term students are reviewed to ensure that they are studying at the most advantageous level for their abilities. Dance majors are expected to take a modern and ballet course every term.

Candidates for the bachelor’s degree with a major in dance must satisfy general university requirements, select appropriate courses in related areas, and complete dance course requirements with a grade of C– or better. The faculty regularly reviews students for evidence of satisfactory progress toward fulfilling degree requirements. Students who receive grades lower than C– or I (incomplete) or Y in dance courses are placed on departmental probation and must repeat or complete the course with a minimum grade of C–. Students placed on departmental probation have one term to achieve the goals they agreed upon with their academic advisors. While students are on probation, they receive guidance to help them achieve satisfactory progress toward the degree.

All courses required for a dance major or minor must be taken for letter grades when that option is available. A grade of P must be earned in courses designated pass/no pass (P/N) only. The P/N option should be exercised sparingly by students who plan to pursue a graduate degree in dance.

Advising. Students admitted as majors must meet with a dance faculty advisor prior to registration each term. These meetings inform students about prerequisites and progress toward the degree. Appointment schedules for advising are posted by each advisor. Students must have a signed advising contract in their departmental academic file before they may register each term.

Major Program

Candidates for the bachelor’s degree with a major in dance must satisfy general university requirements, select appropriate courses in related areas, and complete the professional course requirements of the Department of Dance.

Department Requirements

Electives (24 credits)

University requirements and electives to complete 180 credits (90 credits)

The breadth requirement in dance technique is fulfilled by completing studio courses in two idioms other than modern or ballet. Lower-division breadth courses should be completed by the end of the sophomore year. Students with experience in any of these forms should enroll in the highest level that reflects their competence in each idiom. Decisions about the appropriate level are made in consultation with an advisor.

The technique requirements for ballet and modern are as follows: (1) dance majors must enroll in a ballet or modern technique course every term they are in the program; (2) the minimum competency for graduation is two terms of ballet (DAN 396) and three terms of modern (DAN 394); and (3) during the last three terms before graduation, each major must complete an additional 6 credits of DAN 394 or 396 or higher.

Students who enroll in a DAN or DANC course without completing the course’s prerequisite—either a specific course or an audition or a level of skill—are asked to withdraw. Failure to do so results in a grade of F or N (no pass) for that course.

Required internships, performances, and senior projects can be satisfied in a variety of ways. Through consultation, students and their advisors choose options for these requirements that allow the students to pursue personal interests.

With approval from their faculty advisor, dance majors can focus their 24 credits of elective work in one of three ways: (1) by completing an established minor or second major, (2) by concentrating on an area of emphasis within dance, or (3) by integrated interdisciplinary study.

University requirements for the BA and BS degrees are explained in the Registration and Academic Policies section of this catalog.

Honors College Program

See the Honors at Oregon section of this catalog for specific honors college requirements. Departmental requirements for dance majors enrolled in the Clark Honors College include (1) 6 credits of independent study in choreography, technical production, or related research leading to the senior honors thesis and (2) either a choreography (minimum of ten minutes) with written description and discussion or an honors essay on an approved research topic.

Minor Program

The dance minor is available to undergraduate students who want to combine an interest in dance with a major in another area of study. The minor allows students flexibility in constructing a program of courses to enhance and complement any chosen major.

A minimum of 32 credits are required for the dance minor, including the technique requirement (9 credits), the core curriculum requirements (15 credits), and a miniimum of 8 more credits from the studio theory, dance science, and history-humanities areas of study in the dance program. The 32 credits must include 15 upper-division credits. Dance courses applied to the minor must be passed with grades of C– or better. Most upper-division courses have prerequisites, corequisites, or both. Independent study courses, including performance credits in Workshop: Work Rehearsal and Performance (DAN 408), are applicable to Area 3 with faculty consultation and approval.

Minor Requirements 32 credits

Students must take a placement class before enrolling in a technique course at the DAN level. See Placement of Majors and Minors in this section of the catalog.

The Department of Dance offers master of arts (MA) and master of science (MS) degrees in three programs—general master’s degree with thesis or choreographic thesis, general master’s degree without thesis, master’s degree with emphasis in dance science—and the master of fine arts (MFA) degree.

The MFA program requires at least three years of study in residence. Full-time students with adequate undergraduate preparation can complete an MS or MA degree program in two years if their area of specialization is designated during the first year. Students who enter with background deficiencies or who lack a focus for the thesis or final project typically take more than two years to complete an MS or MA degree. Work for a master’s degree must be completed within a period of seven years. This includes credits transferred from another institution and the thesis or final project.

Admission

Department Visit. Applicants for admission are strongly encouraged to visit the dance department during February or March of the preceding academic year. Participation in classes and performance of choreographic excerpts during the visit help the faculty evaluate applicants and can serve to augment video application. Video applications are acceptable in extenuating circumstances. Video applications must be in DVD or in half-inch VHS NTSC-standard format and clearly show technical, performance, and choreographic proficiencies. For more information, call or write the department.

Application. Students seeking admission to a master’s degree program should apply online at the department website. Application for enrollment is open to anyone who has graduated from an accredited college or university and has a 3.00 cumulative undergraduate GPA. A student with a GPA below 3.00 may be admitted upon review of credentials. An official transcript of the student’s college record must be submitted to the Graduate School. In addition, applicants must arrange for electroniic submission of three letters of recommendation, an up-to-date vita or résumé, a statement of purpose explaining why they intend to pursue graduate studies in dance at the University of Oregon, and a sample of written work. The statement of purpose and sample of written work are used to evaluate the applicant’s writing ability. All submissions must be electronic.

International students whose native language is not English must earn scores of at least 575 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

Adequate undergraduate preparation in dance theory and technique is required for admission to graduate programs in dance. Applicants with undergraduate deficiencies should seek admission as postbaccalaureate students until the necessary courses are completed.

Deficiencies may be made up by (1) passing proficiency examinations provided by the department, (2) presenting evidence of acceptable practical professional experience, or (3) demonstrating ability on videotape or in person for faculty review. Deficiencies must be addressed at the first opportunity after entering the program.

Graduate Fellowships. Some graduate teaching fellowships (GTFs) are available; applications are available online. Fellowship applicants are strongly urged to visit the department; see Department Visit in this section of the catalog. Applicants who cannot visit must submit a DVD or half-inch VHS NTSC-standard format videotape documenting teaching skills in at least two dance idioms—African, ballet, ballroom, contact improvisation, hip-hop, jazz, modern, salsa, swing, tango, or tap. Videos should document a complete class; edited highlights of classes are not acceptable. Applications are reviewed beginning January 1 for the following fall term. GTF offers are made beginning April 15. Positions remain open until filled. 

MA and MS Requirements

A minimum of 54 graduate credits must be completed for an MA or MS degree in dance; at least 30 of these credits must be earned in residence after admission to the graduate program. Candidates for the MA degree must demonstrate proficiency in one second language by submitting evidence of two years of college-level study within the previous seven years or by passing an examination at the university Testing Office, 238 University Health and Counseling Center Building.

Students must enroll in a technique course every term during their studies in residence and earn a minimum of 6 credits in 500-level DAN courses. These 6 credits must be taken for letter grades.

Students must take a minimum of 2 credits in Supervised College Teaching (DAN 602). The department recommends that these credits be earned in at least two teaching experiences, which provide opportunities to develop mentor relationships with faculty members.

A final oral thesis defense or terminal project presentation is administered by the student’s faculty committee following completion of the thesis or project.

General Master’s Degree with Thesis (54 credits)

In addition to the requirements described above, candidates for the general master’s degree with thesis must have completed the following undergraduate course work:

Dance as a discipline at the graduate level requires an understanding of research methodology, theoretical issues, and their practical applications. Required core courses provide this understanding for the student seeking the general master’s degree with or without thesis.

Upon consultation with the graduate director, students may use graduate-level work for the master’s degree to correct deficiencies.

Core Courses

Scientific Aspects of Dance (DAN 560)

Research Methods in Dance (DAN 611)

Aesthetic Bases for Dance in Art and Education (DAN 693)

Electives

DAN electives are selected in consultation with the student’s advisor.

Thesis

Students in this program must take a minimum of 9 credits in Thesis (DAN 503). Eight to 16 credits must be earned in graduate courses outside the department by the end of winter term of the student's second year. These courses, approved by the major advisor, are selected from fields related to the student’s research. At least 4 credits must be earned outside the department before beginning the thesis. Early in their programs, these students should enroll in graduate-level choreography courses.

The thesis proposal must be approved by a committee of at least three faculty members representing fields of study related to the program and thesis topic. The chair and at least one member of the committee must be from the Department of Dance. Graduate School requirements are to be followed in the preparation and defense of the thesis. Refer to "Thesis Guidelines," available in the department office, and the Thesis and Dissertation Style and Policy Manual, available from the Graduate School’s website.

General Master’s Degree without Thesis (54 credits)

This option includes the general requirements, examinations, and limitations on credits stated earlier. Core courses listed above and correction of undergraduate-level deficiencies are required.

The nonthesis option requires 19 credits of elective course work, 8 to 16 credits in an area related to dance, and another 9 project-related credits appropriate to the program selected from within or outside the Department of Dance. All course selections and field choices must have the approval of the student’s advisor.

For the student electing the nonthesis option, a project is required in the area of concentration. A proposal must be approved by a project committee representing the area of concentration in dance.

Master’s Degree with Emphasis in Dance Science (54 credits)

This option integrates a degree in dance with a second area of specialization in a related science. A bachelor’s degree in dance or its equivalent is the preferred background. Graduate students must have completed the following undergraduate course work:

A thesis is required for this master’s degree, with emphasis on dance science. Requirements parallel the general master’s degree with thesis with two exceptions:

1. Core courses for this option are Research Methods in Dance (DAN 611), Aesthetic Bases for Dance in Art and Education (DAN 693), and research method or design courses that include

a. quantitative statistics through ANOVA or qualitative research design and methodology

b. computer applications in research

c. interpretation and critique of research

Options that satisfy this requirement range from 5 to 9 credits

2. At least 16 credits of elective course work must be taken; 6 of these credits may be in Research (601) taken in another department

This individualized program is designed in consultation with the coordinator of the dance science program to meet the interests of the student. Eight to 16 credits must be earned in graduate courses outside the dance department. These courses are selected from fields related to the student’s research. At least 4 credits must be earned outside the department before beginning the thesis.

All course work for this option must be approved by the dance science coordinator, who must be a member of the student’s thesis committee.

MFA Requirements

The master of fine arts is a rigorous terminal degree. Prescribed components provide a foundation upon which each student builds an individualized degree. Flexible emphases, supported by faculty expertise, permit elective areas of study in performance, choreography, collaboration, education, history, contemporary issues, and dance science. The program emphasizes modern dance with ballet as a strong supporting area.

Goals

The MFA in dance is designed to develop

• individual creative and scholarly talents, interests, and philosophies that can be used to expand and preserve our cultural heritage
• individuals with the potential to solve contemporary problems in dance and to explore and address new questions and issues
• professional competence in the dissemination of knowledge, including the logical, verbal, and written presentation of aesthetic ideas
• scholarly competence in the organization, evaluation, and interpretation of knowledge
• professional competence as reflected in a significant body of artistic work

Course Work

In addition to earning a minimum of 109 graduate credits, candidates must spend at least three years in residence to complete the degree. Undergraduate proficiencies for the master of fine arts degree are the same as those listed above for the general master’s degree with thesis.

Satisfactory Progress toward a Master’s Degree in Dance

1. Qualified students are admitted to the dance master’s degree program with conditional master’s classification. The classification is changed to unconditional master’s after a student has

a. corrected undergraduate deficiencies

b. completed 12 graduate dance credits with grades of mid-B or better

c. achieved a technical skill equivalent to that achieved in Modern Dance Laboratory (DAN 594). Studio classes taken to prepare for 500-level DAN courses must be passed with letter grades of mid-B or better

Students must achieve unconditional master’s classification before they have completed 36 credits of graduate work

2. Students must meet with a graduate advisor each term to draw up course advising contracts, which ensure that courses taken fulfill university and department requirements

3. Graduate teaching fellows (GTFs) must satisfactorily complete at least 9 graduate credits each term

4. DAN graduate courses must be passed with grades of P or B– or better. Courses must be retaken at the next scheduled offering if satisfactory grades are not received. The student may be dropped from the program if a grade of P or B– or better is not earned on the second try

5. Technique and core courses (except DAN 508 and 608) must be taken for letter grades. A minimum of 24 graduate credits must be taken for letter grades; the remaining credits may be taken pass/no pass. P is the equivalent of a B– letter grade or better

6. Core courses in dance should be completed the first term they are offered during graduate study. Requests for exceptions are considered by members of the faculty after approval by the student’s advisor

7. Students must have a GPA of 3.00 or better in course work used to meet the requirements of a master’s degree

8. With the exception of Thesis (DAN 503), no more than one incomplete (I) may be earned each term and no more than two each year. Students have one calendar year or less to finish an incomplete, depending on the nature of the course and the instructor’s requirements

DANC courses are open to students who fulfill the prerequisites and meet placement criteria. Introductory Dance Courses do not have prerequisites or placement criteria.

Not all courses can be offered every year. A list of courses offered each term is in the current class schedule. Each course requires payment of a laboratory fee.

101–198 Introductory Dance Courses I (1R) 170 Modern I, 171: Contact Improvisation, 172: Ballet I, 175: Jazz I, 176: Tap I, 184: Ballroom I, 185: African. R twice for maximum of 3 credits each.

199 Special Studies: [Topic] (1–5R) Recent topics include Tango, Hip-Hop, Salsa, Drumming, and Swing.

201–299 Introductory Dance Courses II (1R) 270: Modern II, 271: Dance Improvisation, 272: Ballet II, 275: Jazz II, 276: Tap II, 284: Ballroom II, 285: African II. R twice for maximum of 3 credits each.

301–398 Introductory Dance Courses III (1R) 370: Modern III, 372: Ballet III, 375: Jazz III, 376: Tap III. R twice for maximum of 3 credits each.

399 Special Studies: [Topic] (1–5R) Recent topics include Tango, Hip-Hop, Salsa, Drumming, and Swing.

Professional Dance Courses (DAN)

DAN courses are open to students who fulfill the prerequisites and meet placement criteria. Generic courses are limited by faculty workload and availability. A list of courses offered each term is in the current class schedule.

198 Workshop: [Topic] (1–2R) Recent topics include Performance, Production Experience, Repertory.

199 Special Studies: [Topic] (1–5R)

251 Looking at Dance (4) Overview of dance as a cultural and aesthetic experience. Examines its meaning and impact on contemporary United States society. Chatfield, Garner, Kennedy, Mockli.

252 Fundamentals of Rhythm (3) Essential topics in rhythm and dance; how rhythm and dance relate in various cultures with an emphasis on concert modern dance choreography; introduction to the communication of personally created movement to other dancers. Cherry.

255 Dance Production I (3) Introduction to production planning, management, lighting, design, costuming, and publicity for the dance concert. Practical experience in Dougherty Dance Theatre. Craig.

256 Dance Somatics (3) Exploration of patterning in movement. Various body therapies—Bartenieff Fundamentals, ideokinesis, and body-mind centering—provide a framework for experiential investigations. Honka.

301 Dance in Traditional Cultures: Africa: [Topic] (4R) Investigation of origins, meanings, and development of dance culture and related folk arts in selected regions and countries of the world. Honka.

351 Dance Composition I (3) Introduction to creation of dance movement as a communication tool. How to select, develop, vary, and phrase dance movement. Choreography of short dance studies. Prereq: DAN 252, DANC 271, DANC 370 or above. Craig, Chatfield, Kennedy, Mockli.

352 Dance Composition II (3) Compositional forms in dance. Crafting of movements into studies. Prereq: DAN 351. Craig, Chatfield, Kennedy, Mockli.

355 Dance Production II (1–2R) Extended application of skills and procedures used in producing a concert. Practical backstage work; pre- and postconcert sessions. Prereq: DAN 255. R eleven times for maximum of 24 credits. Craig.

360 Dance Kinesiology (4) Applications of anatomical, muscular, and motor control information to dance training and injury prevention. Chatfield.

394 Modern Dance Laboratory (2R) Dance technique in the modern idiom. Prereq: placement audition. R for maximum of 24 credits.

396 Ballet Laboratory (2R) Dance technique in the ballet idiom. Prereq: placement audition. R for maximum of 24 credits.

401 Research: [Topic] (1–4R)

403 Thesis (1–12R)

404 Internship: [Topic] (1–4R) Apprenticeship under the guidance of a supervising teacher in areas such as teaching, arts management, administration, and dance production. Junior standing required. R for maximum of 12 credits.

405 Reading and Conference: [Topic] (1–21R)

406 Special Problems: [Topic] (1–21R)

407/507 Seminar: [Topic] (1–5R) Recent topics include Choreographic Analysis, Contemporary Issues.

408/508 Workshop: [Topic] (1–21R) Topics include rehearsal and performance for department-sponsored events. Prereq: audition for performance experiences.

409 Practicum: [Topic] (1–21R) Current topics are Choreography, Production Design, and Management.

410/510 Experimental Course: [Topic] (1–5R) Recent topics: Neuromuscular Bases of Dance, Topics in Technique, Composition III.

411 Senior Project (3)

412/512 Student Dance Concert (1–6R) Students apply ideas learned about concert choreography, production, and management. In a cooperative venture, students produce dance works in Dougherty Dance Theatre. Prereq: DAN 255, 352. R for maximum of 24 credits.

450/550 Choreographer and Composer Workshop (3R) Choreographers and composers collaborate to develop and explore skills for creating work in a supportive laboratory environment. R when topic changes. Prereq: MUS 440 or 640 for music students; DAN 352 or 606 for dance students. Cherry.

453/553 Ballet from the Courts to Balanchine (3) Social and theater dance forms of Western cultures from the Middle Ages through 18th-century ballet into the era of contemporary art. Prereq: DAN 251. Kennedy.

454/554 Evolution of Modern Dance (3) Influences of leading dance artists; directions in concert and theater forms in the 20th century; emphasis on dance in the United States. Prereq: DAN 251. Craig.

458/558 Music for Dancers (3) Surveys musical form, style, and expressive content as it relates to dance. Examines the interrelationship of elements of music and dance in significant works from around the world. Prereq: DAN 252. Cherry.

460/560 Scientific Aspects of Dance (3) Nutrition, biochemistry, anatomy, and physiology explored from the perspective of the dancer and dance training. Personal nutritional and physiologic analyses. Prereq: DAN 360. Chatfield.

480/580 Dance Repertory (2R) Dance rehearsal training for repertory company performance experience. Informal performance at end of term. Coreq: DANC 300 level or above in both ballet and modern. R four times for a maximum of 10 credits. Craig, Chatfield, Garner, Honka, Kennedy, Mockli.

481/581 Repertory Dance Company: Rehearsal (1–12R) Creating and rehearsing new or existing material in preparation for local performances and tour. Prereq: audition or application; coreq: DANC 300 level or above in ballet and modern. R four times. Chatfield, Craig, Garner, Honka, Kennedy, Mockli.

482/582 Repertory Dance Company: Touring (1–12R) Lecture-demonstrations and formal performances of repertory learned in DAN 481/581. Prerequisite: DAN 481/581; coreq: DANC 300 level or above in ballet and modern. R four times.

490/590 Dance Accompaniment (1–3R) Examines technique of communication between the dance teacher and the dance accompanist. Prereq: DAN 252, DANC 271, DAN 394; coreq: DAN 491/591. R once for maximum of 6 credits. Cherry.

491/591 Teaching Dance (3) Application of teaching theories, course planning methods, teaching resources and techniques. Emphasis on teaching in university situation. Prereq: DAN 252, DANC 271, DAN 394; coreq: DAN 490/590. Craig, Kennedy.

494/594 Modern Dance Laboratory (2R) Dance technique in the modern idiom. Prereq: placement audition. R for maximum of 24 credits.

496/596 Ballet Laboratory (2R) Dance technique in the ballet idiom. Prereq: placement audition. R for maximum of 24 credits.

503 Thesis (1–16R)

601 Research: [Topic] (1–16R)

602 Supervised College Teaching (1–5R)

605 Reading and Conference: [Topic] (1–16R)

606 Special Problems: [Topic] (1–16R) Topics include Formal Compositional Structure, Solo Composition, and student-initiated topics. Limited by faculty workload and availability.

607 Seminar: [Topic] (1–5R)

608 Workshop: [Topic] (1–16R) Topics include Performance, Production, Rehearsal.

609 Practicum: [Topic] (1–16R)

610 Experimental Course: [Topic] (1–5R)

611 Research Methods in Dance (3) Review and evaluation of written and creative research in dance and allied fields. Culminating project is a written proposal for original research in dance. Chatfield.

612 MFA Movement Project (1–16R)

613 MFA Professional Paper (1–16R)

692 Dance Literature (3) Introduction to graduate studies in dance through critical reading of literature of theory and practice. Admission to graduate program in dance required.

693 Aesthetic Bases for Dance in Art and Education (3) Theories of dance as an art form; function of the dance in the changing social milieu; elements of dance criticism. Prereq for nonmajors: instructor’s consent. Craig.