Dance

Assistant Professors: Collins-Achille, Henderson, Myers, Race, Roberts; Musician-Composer/Adjunct Instructor: Schenk; Professor Dorfman, chair

The Major in Dance

The department of dance offers an integrated study of theory and technique with an emphasis on performance and choreography; it provides students with a broad knowledge of dance that supports creative and intellectual development in a liberal arts context.

The dance major consists of a minimum of twelve courses including the following eight courses: 125; 145; 208; 222; 223; 271; 305; 494; and two of the following: 238, 241, 264, 266, 344; one semester of Repertory and Performance (267, 268, 367, 368, 467, 468); one semester of Advanced Modern Dance and Ballet Techniqueat the 400 level.

All dance majors are expected to include dance technique classes in their scheduled programs throughout their four years and must participate in two concert performances in addition to course requirement 494. All dance majors shall complete four academic years of study, at least two of which shall be in residence at Connecticut College, including one semester of the final year. One summer session at an approved institution (prior to the senior year) is strongly suggested. Students are also required to fulfill production crew requirements as defined by the department.

All prospective dance majors must audition.

Advisers: S. Collins-Achille, D. Dorfman, H. Henderson, A. Myers, L. Race

The Minor in Dance

The minor in dance consists of a minimum of six courses from the following: a) two semesters of Theory and Style at the 200 level or above; b) 145; c) three courses chosen from 107; 108; 125; 166; 208; 222; 223; 238; 241; 264; 266; 267 or 268; 271; 305; 344; 367 or 368; 396.

All dance minors are encouraged to include dance technique classes throughout their years in the dance department, either in five-day-a-week Theory and Style courses or two-credit dance listings. All dance minors are required to fulfill crew requirements as defined by the department.

Learning Goals in the Dance Major

Students find their individual artistic voices in three areas of the dance major: movement technique, dance studies (history and theory), and choreography and improvisation.

We strive to:

Offer a diverse range of movement techniques
Instill a deep and factual understanding of anatomical information in order to be more articulate in the body
Expose our students to artistic traditions and current trends in dance-making
Foster critical thinking and emphasize the ability to express oneself through language
Raise social and cultural awareness
Provide a methodology for creation, editing and presentation of one’s work in order to move from conceptual idea to performance
Facilitate a high level of craft alongside a radical artistic voice in choreographic work

We work with integrity, rigor and diligence in order to teach our students to be citizens who contribute to the world. Our dance majors will graduate to become the next generation of trailblazing dance artists.

BREADTH OF STUDY/SCHOLARSHIP

Our majors will honor the notion of building technique in dance of all kinds. They will engage in interdisciplinary investigations such as; dance and film, dance and science, performance art, performance studies and self-designed majors incorporating a myriad of related studies. They will select one non-kinetically oriented academic, administrative or production area in which to research under the supervision of their major advisor.

SPECIFICS WITHIN FIELD/DIRECTION OF CREATIVITY AND SERVICE

Our majors will discover their individual movement, performance, writing, and choreographic styles. They will develop a high level of integrity in their art form on and off the stage. Seniors will create a 10-minute dance for presentation on the Palmer Auditorium Stage or a site-specific venue fully produced by the department. They will also support this physical production with a document calling on dance studies as their referential source. They will achieve proficiency in Ballet, Modern, Post-Modern, African and at least one other form of their choosing, and will work with hands-on production elements from lighting design to graphic design. They will think critically about their art form in theory and practice, and recognize how a personal choreographic aesthetic represents social ideologies within specific cultural contexts. Dance majors will apply their analytical knowledge directly to their experiences in technique and composition classes, and consistently experience dance outside of their 'comfort zone' as a given not an exception. Our dance majors will graduate able to become the next generation of trailblazing dance artists.

ARTISTIC CITIZENSHIP/CONTRIBUTIONS TO DANCE AND GROWTH AS A PERSON

Our majors will utilize organizational, theoretical and artistic opportunities as modeling for post-graduate behavior as a citizen in the world. They will therefore contribute to a new dance world, one that reflects changes in world society. Technical grace, choreographic power, and skills as a teacher and leader are translated into human terms of quantifiable growth.

Courses

Level I

DANCE 107 EXPERIMENTAL WORKSHOP: INTRODUCTION TO IMPROVISATION Studio work for the investigation of movement and sound in solo and group improvisation. Students will conduct and participate in compositional experiments.

Enrollment limited to 40 students per section. This course satisfies General Education Area 5. Staff

DANCE 112 INTRODUCTION TO YOGA Yoga from a Sanskrit word meaning ′union,′ strives to bring the body, mind, and spirit into balance, using the breath as the bridge. Postures (asana) help to strengthen and loosen the body, pranayama (breath practice) helps to guide the mind and yoga nidra (relaxation) allows the body-mind to integrate these. One hour of credit, marked as pass/not passed. This course can be repeated for credit. For restrictions on the number of one-credit courses that can be applied toward the minimum degree requirements, see page 338 of the undergraduate catalog.

Enrollment limited to 50 students. Special fee. M. Ursin

DANCE 113 PILATES A method of full-body conditioning that focuses on breathing, concentration and control. The system enhances the performance of physical activities and has long been utilized for injury recovery and prevention. One hour of credit, marked as pass/not passed. This course can be repeated for credit. For restrictions on the number of one-credit courses that can be applied toward the minimum degree requirements, see page 338 of the undergraduate catalog.

Enrollment limited to 50 students. Special fee. S. Connelly

DANCE 116 BALLROOM DANCE Practice of Western social dance forms. One hour of credit, marked as pass/not passed. This course can be repeated for credit. For restrictions on the number of one-credit courses that can be applied toward the minimum degree requirements, see page 2338 of the undergraduate catalog.

Enrollment limited to 100 students. Offered second semester annually. Special fee. G. Smith, S. Smith

DANCE 118 DRUMMING Basic technique of drumming rhythms from dances of Africa, Brazil, Cuba, Haiti and others. Analysis of rhythms and hands on experience supported by text and video presentations. Two credit hours.

Enrollment limited to 20 students. Offered second semester annually. Staff

DANCE 125 DANCE PRODUCTION An exploration of the visual components of dance production. The course will address the various media that comprise the visual design of a dance, with an emphasis on lighting. Production techniques will be discussed as an avenue for artisticexpression. Practical work on dance productions required. Classroom meetings plus lab. Course may be taken for either two or four credits on a semester basis, as determined by the department.

Enrollment limited to 20 students per semester. Offered in alternate years. Staff

DANCE 145 HISTORY OF DANCE Three areas of study covered: a survey of world dances 19th/20th century ballet; and the history of modern dance. Themes considered include the social-political and cultural contexts of dances, the roles of men and women in different styles of dance and choreography, and cross-currents between the dances of different nations and societies.

Enrollment limited to 40 students. Offered first semester annually. This course satisfies General Education Area 4. A. Myers

DANCE 147, 148 DANCE STYLES SAMPLER Analysis and practice of dance in styles to be announced each semester. Styles may range from American to multi-cultural dance forms. Two credit hours.

Prerequisite: Course 151, 152 or previous experience in dance. Staff

DANCE 151, 152 INTRODUCTION TO DANCE: MOVERS AND SHAKERS An introduction to major dance techniques. Experiencing new body alignment, spatial patterning, and improvisation. Each semester-long course may be repeated for credit twice, with the approval of the department.

Enrollment limited to 25 students. Both courses satisfy General Education Area 5. A. Myers

DANCE 159 INTRODUCTORY BALLET Analysis and practice of ballet fundamentals. Instruction in basic alignment, spatial patterning and movement concepts. Two credit hours. This course can be repeated for credit. Offered one semester annually either fall or spring.

Enrollment limited to 25 students. Staff

DANCE 166 WORLD DANCE OF A SELECTED CULTURE Examination of movements in relation to music, aesthetic principles and cultural context of a selected world dance form. Analysis and practice of dance technique, reconstruction or recreation of a particular dance genre. Course may be taken for two or four credits, as determined by the department.

Enrollment limited to 25 students. This course satisfies General Education Area 5. S. Collins-Achille

Level II

DANCE 208 ELEMENTARY CHOREOGRAPHY Theory and experience in structuring movement, from simple phrases to complex organizational units. Use of time, weight, space, and flow as factors in choreography.

Prerequisite: Course 107 or equivalent experience in dance and permission of the instructor. Enrollment limited to 20 students. Offered second semester. H. Henderson, A. Myers

DANCE 213 INTERMEDIATE BALLROOM DANCE Practice of social dance forms which involve complex steps, knowledge of movement and partnering. One credit hour, marked as pass/not passed. For restrictions on the number of one credit courses that can be applied toward the minimum degree requirements, see page 338 of the under-graduate catalog.

Prerequisite: Course 116 or permission of the instructor. Special fee. Staff

DANCE 222 COMPOSITIONAL IMPROVISATION Studio work in improvisation and performance: exploration of movement and sound, group dynamics, composition.

Prerequisite: Course 107 or equivalent experience in dance and audition. Enrollment limited to 25 students. Offered second semester. This course satisfies General Education Area 5. L. Race

DANCE 223 MUSIC FOR DANCE Music for dance through training in rhythmic theory and practice in composing and performing related movement studies. Topics include rhythmic notation, music terminology, score reading and the relationship between choreographic repertory and its music.

Prerequisite: Course 107 or 147 or 148 or 151 or 152 or equivalent experience in dance, or permission of the instructor. Enrollment limited to 20 students. R. Schenk

DANCE 225 PRACTICUM IN DANCE Extended work as a set designer, costume designer, lighting designer, stage manager, technical director or major crew head in relation to productions presented by the department of dance. Specific projects must be coordinated with a project supervisor before registration. Two credit hours.

Prerequisite: Course 125 for technical projects. Permission of faculty director or choreographer for performance option. Staff

DANCE 238 DANCE AND TECHNOLOGY Videotaping and editing of dance related subjects. Editing techniques and the documentation of live dance culminating in the creation of a work of video art. Topics include: aesthetic issues in video art, music and dance; sound basics and editing for video; software resources for video, audio, choreography and dance documentation; and trends in dance and technology.

Open to dance majors or permission of the instructor. Enrollment limited to 12 students. R. Schenk

DANCE 239, 339 INTENSIVE WORKSHOP Intensive short-term study of movement technique classes in various styles and related subjects at department approved workshops in the United States and abroad. Course may be taken for two or four credits, as determined by the department and may be taken for credit more than once.

Prerequisite: Course 166, 266, or permission of the instructor. S. Collins-Achille

DANCE 251, 252, 253, 254 INTERMEDIATE MODERN DANCE AND BALLET TECHNIQUE Analysis and practice of dance in major techniques. Experience in increasingly complex spatial and rhythmic patterns and movement sequences. Course may be taken for two or four credits on a semester basis upon department's approval.

Prerequisite: Placement is determined by audition. Enrollment limited to 25 students. Offered both semesters. Courses satisfy General Education Area 5. Staff

DANCE 259, 260 LOW INTERMEDIATE BALLET Analysis and practice of ballet technique. Instruction in basic alignment and spinal patterning. Two credit hours. This course can be repeated for credit.

Prerequisite: Course 151, 152, 159 or previous experience in dance. Offered both semesters annually. Staff

DANCE 264 ACTING FOR DANCERS Development of acting techniques for dancers through vocal and movement exercises, improvisation and scene work. Course may be taken for two or four credits on a semester basis, as determined by the department.

Prerequisite: Course 147 or 148 or 151 or 152 or permission of the instructor. Enrollment limited to 20 students. D. Dorfman

DANCE 266 WORLD DANCE OF A SELECTED CULTURE Examination of movements in relation to music, aesthetic principles and cultural context of a selected world dance form. Analysis and practice of dance technique, reconstruction or recreation of a particular dance genre. Course may be taken for either two or four credits on a semester basis, as determined by the department.

Prerequisite: Course 147 or 148 or 151 or 152, or permission of the instructor. Enrollment limited to 25 students. This course satisfies General Education Area 5. S. Collins-Achille

DANCE 267, 268 INTERMEDIATE REPERTORY AND PERFORMANCE Reconstruction or creation of works of recognized dance artists and of department faculty. Works will be presented in lecture-demonstration and/or concert. Section A: Concert. Section B: Touring.

Open to qualified students after audition and consultation with the department. Staff

DANCE 271 ANATOMY/KINESIOLOGY A study of kinesiological principles related to human movement through the investigation of movement behavior and application of body therapies including structural, bio-mechanical and neuromuscular analysis.

Enrollment limited to 20 students. Offered second semester annually. H. Henderson

Level III

DANCE 305 INTERMEDIATE CHOREOGRAPHY Advanced theory and experience in structuring movement to make dances. Individual choreographic works required in pure dance, performance art, or theater-dance collaborations.

Prerequisite: Open to juniors who have successfully completed Courses 107 and 208. Offered first semester. L. Race

DANCE 319 THEORY AND PRACTICE OF CHOREOGRAPHY A studio-based seminar with a practical, theoretical, and historical approach to dance composition. Modern, post-modern, and contemporary choreographic works provide a point of departure for individual choreographic invention. Readings include Roland Barthes, Susan Foster, and Susan Sontag.

Prerequisite: Course 208 or permission of instructor. Enrollment limited to 15 students. A. Myers

DANCE 341 DANCE WRITING Investigation of writings related to dance through readings, analysis, discussions, and written assignments. Readings may include journalistic writing and criticism, theoretical and autobiographical writings by artists.

Prerequisite: Dance 145. Enrollment limited to 30 students. This course satisfies General Education Area 4 and is a designated Writing course. H. Henderson

DANCE 351, 352, 353, 354 INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED MODERN DANCE AND BALLET TECHNIQUE Intensive instruction in major dance techniques. Mastery of more complex vocabulary and intricate spatial and rhythmic sequences. Majors and minors may take these courses for two or fourcredits upon department's approval.

Prerequisite: Previous course work at Level II or equivalent experience in dance, and placement is determined by audition. Enrollment limited to 25 students, with qualified non-major students admitted when space is available. Offered both semesters. Staff

DANCE 359, 360 ADVANCED INTERMEDIATE BALLET Analysis and practice of ballet technique, graded for the more highly trained dancers. Instruction in more complex spatial patterning and movement concepts. Two credit hours. This course can be repeated for credit.

Prerequisite: Course 259 or 260. Offered both semesters annually. Staff

DANCE 367, 368 INTERMEDIATE ADVANCED REPERTORY AND PERFORMANCE Reconstruction or creation of works of recognized dance artists and of department faculty. Work presented in lecture-demonstrations and/or in concert. Section A: Concert. Section B: Touring.

Prerequisite: Open to intermediate and advanced level dancers. Enrollment limited to 15 students. Staff

DANCE 396 DANCE PEDAGOGY An examination of theoretical and applied understandings of observing, analyzing, and teaching movement. Readings in current dance research, pedagogical issues, and strategies as well as observations and their practical application in the field will relate to teaching and learning dance in in the context of K-12, studio, higher education, and community settings.

Prerequisite: Open to junior and senior majors and minors in dance, and to others with permission of the instructor. R. Roberts

Level IV

DANCE 434 TOPICS IN MULTICULTURALISM: MAPPING BODIES A gendered study of transformation is examined through the lens of feminist artists and dance makers as this course looks at their work to reveal cultural context and meaning. Students will develop research and present the formulation of a project concerning the mapping of body knowledge inside multicultural cohabitation. Projects may be linked with performances by professional touring companies.

Prerequisite: Course 145 and Gender and Women′s Studies 103. Open to juniors and seniors. This is the same course as Gender and Women′s Studies 434. Enrollment limited to 15 students. S. Collins-Achille

DANCE 451, 452, 453, 454, 455, 456 ADVANCED MODERN DANCE AND BALLET TECHNIQUE Intensive instruction in dance techniques. Mastery of complex vocabulary and intricate spatial and rhythmic movement sequences. Emphasis on individual performance and advancement. Majors and minors may take these courses for two or fourcredits with appropriate course requirements approved by the department.

Prerequisite: Previous course work at Level III or equivalent experience in dance and placement is determined by audition. Advanced non-majors admitted by invitation. Enrollment limited to 25 students. Offered both semesters. Staff

DANCE 460 PERFORMANCE ART IN PRACTICE This is the same course as Art 460. Refer to the Art listing for a course description.

DANCE 467, 468 ADVANCED REPERTORY AND PERFORMANCE Reconstruction or creation of works of recognized dance artists and of department faculty. Works will be presented in lecture-demonstration and/or in concert. Section A: Concert. Section B: Touring.

Prerequisite: Previous course work in Level III, audition and permission of the department. Staff

DANCE 494 ADVANCED CHOREOGRAPHY SEMINAR Advanced study which leads to a culminating experience in the student's selected area of the major field. The culminating experience may be choreographic, research, or interdisciplinary in nature.

Prerequisite: Previous course work at Level III and permission of the department. Offered second semester. D. Dorfman

DANCE 291, 292 INDIVIDUAL STUDY

DANCE 391, 392 INDIVIDUAL STUDY

DANCE 491, 492 INDIVIDUAL STUDY

DANCE 497-498 HONORS STUDY