Academics
Dance and Movement Studies Major and Minor
The study of dance is perhaps the most unique and all-encompassing pursuit in the fine arts. It involves the total exploration of the self—emotional, intellectual, and kinesthetic. The program develops students’ awareness and appreciation of movement in all its diverse forms and their ability to communicate through non-verbal expression. Dance develops insights into a broad range of studies; therefore it plays a viable role in the liberal arts education. Since dance is so multi-faceted, it enhances the student's preparation for a variety of careers.
Goals for Student Learning (Dance majors)
Requirements for the Dance and Movement Studies Major
Please note: The requirements below are for dance majors and minors who declared on or after 9/1/2008. Please contact the Dance Program Office Manager for guidelines for majors and minors declared before 9/1/2008.
Students must complete forty-one hours within a planned program of dance and movement courses and courses in related disciplines. All courses must be taken for a letter grade. All one credit hour dance technique courses, Movement Improvisation, Movement Fundamentals, Fitness for Dancers, the Alexander Technique, Dances and Dance Forms or the Emory Dance Company course may be used to satisfy the four semester HPED requirement of Emory College. Courses used to satisfy the dance major may simultaneously be used to satisfy the HPED requirement. Dance courses with the letter “R” may be taken up to three times for credit with the exception of DANC 421R and DANC 423R which may be taken up to nine times for credit and DANC 207R which may be taken up to eight times for credit.
Course Requirements:
Required Core Courses (16 Hours)
All of the following courses are required:
DANC 230 - History of Western Concert Dance (4 hours)
DANC 240 - Dance Literacy (4 hours)
DANC 250 - Choreography I (4 hours)
DANC 329 - Contemporary Issues in Dance (4 hours)
Electives in Composition, History, Theory and Interdisciplinary Studies (12 Hours)
The electives portion of the dance major is designed to give students the opportunity to further clarify, specify, and enhance their understanding of dance and its many facets. Twelve credit hours must be selected from the following list.
DANC 307R - Emory Dance on Tour (2 hours)
DANC 330 - Dance Pedagogy (4 hours)
DANC 339 - Labanotation (4 hours)
DANC 340SWR - Arts Writing and Criticism (4 hours)
DANC 350 - Choreography II (4 hours)
DANC 360R - Concert Production Workshop (2 hours)
DANC 385 - Special Topics: Actors and Dancers: Text and Movement (4 hours)
DANC 385 - Special Topics in Dance and Movement Studies: (1-4 hours)
DANC 491R - Special Projects: Performance (1-4 hours)
DANC 492R - Special Projects: Technical Production (1-4 hours)
DANC 493R - Special Projects: Historical/Theoretical Research (1-4 hours)
DANC 494R - Special Projects: Internship (1-4 hours)
DANC 495 A, B - Special Projects: Honors Thesis (1-4 hours)
DANC 496R - Special Projects: Directing (1-4 hours)
DANC 497R - Special Projects: Choreography (1-4 hours)
DANC 499R - Special Projects in Dance and Movement Studies (1-4 hours)
MUS 347 - Electronic Music/Midi Technology (4 hours)
REL 334 - Dance and Embodied Knowledge (4 hours)
THEA 121 - Introduction to Acting (4 hours)
THEA 131 - Basic Stagecraft (4 hours)
THEA 230 - Principles of Design (4 hours)
THEA 241 - Theater Administration (4 hours)
Technique Courses (7 Hours)
Seven credit hours to be selected from the following one credit hour courses. Two of the courses must be above the 200 level in modern technique.
Four modern courses: DANC 123R, DANC 223R, DANC 323R, DANC 423R
Two ballet courses: DANC 121R, DANC 221R, DANC 321R, DANC 421R
One elective technique course: DANC 124R, DANC 224R, DANC 324R or additional modern or ballet technique courses
Performance Courses (4 Hours)
The two following courses are required:
DANC 127R - Dances and Dance Forms (1 hour)
DANC 207R - Emory Dance Company (1-2 hours)
An additional two hours from the following:
DANC 127R - Dances and Dance Forms (1 hour)
DANC 207R - Emory Dance Company (1-2 hours)
DANC 307R - Emory Dance on Tour (2 hours)
DANC 491R - Special Projects: Performance (1-4 hours)
Movement Studies Courses (2 Hours)
The following course is required:
DANC 150R - Movement Improvisation (1 hour)
An additional course from the following:
DANC 190S - All About Yoga (4 hours)
DANC 225 - Fitness for Dancers (1 hour)
DANC 226 - Movement Fundamentals (1 hour)
DANC 227 - The Alexander Technique (1 hour)
1. Majors will be able to demonstrate and understand their artistry through the study of technical concepts. (Skills addressed include alignment, movement efficiency, embodiment of movement material, range of motion, deepening of core connection, and relationship to music.)
2. Majors will be able to invent original vocabulary in order to create choreography using the basic principles of composition. (Choreographic skills include abstracting, use of metaphor, phrase development, understanding of form, relationship of sound and movement, and clear expression of intention.) Majors will be able to verbally describe their creative process, and to articulate issues and clarifications resulting in the presented movement invention.
3. Majors will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the breadth of rehearsal and performance processes including the following skills: an in–depth investigation of movement concepts or ideas, the embodiment of material, clarity of intention of movement, movement dynamics, collaborative modes of choreography, and interpersonal relationships inherent in the studio and performance environment.
4. Majors will be able to articulate both verbally and non-verbally an understanding of various analytical aspects of dance. These aspects include cultural dimensions, context, recurring patterns, history, and current issues of dance.
Requirements for the Dance and Movement Studies Minor
Students must complete twenty hours within a planned program of dance and movement studies courses. All courses must be taken for a letter grade. All one credit hour dance technique courses, Movement Improvisation, Movement Fundamentals, Fitness for Dancers, the Alexander Technique, Dances and Dance Forms, or the Emory Dance Company course may be used to satisfy the four semester HPED requirement of Emory College. Courses used to satisfy the dance minor may be simultaneously used to satisfy the HPED requirement. Dance courses with the letter “R” may be taken up to three times for credit with the exception of DANC 421R and DANC 423R which may be taken up to nine times for credit and DANC 207R, which may be taken up to eight times for credit.
Course Requirements:
Required Core Courses (8 Hours)
The two following courses are required:
DANC 230 - History of Western Concert Dance (4 hours)
DANC 250 - Choreography I (4 hours)
Technique Courses (5 Hours)
Five credit hours to be selected from the following one credit hour courses. Two of the courses must be above the 100 level.
Three modern courses: DANC 123R, DANC 223R, DANC 323R, DANC 423R
One ballet course: DANC 121R, DANC 221R, DANC 321R, DANC 421R
One elective technique course: DANC 124R, DANC 224R, DANC 324R or an additional modern or ballet technique course
Performance Course (1 Hour)
Required:
DANC 207R - Emory Dance Company (1-2 hours)
Movement Studies Courses (2 Hours)
The following course is required:
DANC 150R - Movement Improvisation (1 hour)
An additional course from the following:
DANC 190S - All About Yoga (4 hours)
DANC 225 - Fitness for Dancers (1 hour)
DANC 226 - Movement Fundamentals (1 hour)
DANC 227 - The Alexander Technique (1 hour)
Electives in Composition, History and Theory (4 Hours)
Four credit hours from the following are required:
DANC 127R - Dances and Dance Forms (1 hour)
DANC 240 - Dance Literacy (4 hours)
DANC 307R - Emory Dance on Tour (2 hours)
DANC 329 - Contemporary Issues in Dance (4 hours)
DANC 330 - Dance Pedagogy (4 hours)
DANC 339 - Labanotation (4 hours)
DANC 350 - Choreography II (4 hours)
DANC 360R - Concert Production Workshop (2 hours)
DANC 385 - Special Topics in Dance and Movement Studies: (1-4 hours)
DANC 385 - Special Topics: Actors and Dancers: Text and Movement (4 hours)
DANC 491R - Special Projects: Performance (1-4 hours)
DANC 492R - Special Projects: Technical Production (1-4 hours)
DANC 493R - Special Projects: Historical/Theoretical Research (1-4 hours)
DANC 494R - Special Projects: Internship (1-4 hours)
DANC 496R - Special Projects: Directing (1-4 hours)
DANC 497R - Special Projects: Choreography (1-4 hours)
DANC 499R - Special Projects in Dance and Movement Studies (1-4 hours)
REL 334 - Dance and Embodied Knowledge (4 hours)
THEA 230 - Principles of Design (4 hours)*
*THEA 230 will only satisfy the dance minor elective credit when it is co-taught by a dance faculty member.