Dance Major Requirements

   Schedule of Classes   

D 180, 181, 182 Beginning Modern Dance I-III

1 creditIntroduction to the use of the human body in space and time. The elements of dance activity will be examined as they relate to the body in motion. Varied types of music and sound will be utilized to explore the relationship of sound to movement. Some choreographic studies will be included. To be taken in sequence.

D 185, 186, 187 Beginning Ballet I-III

1 creditIntroduction to the basic concepts of body alignment, the technical movement vocabulary in traditional ballet, the accompanying French terminology and the basic movement sequences that will develop strength and flexibility. To be taken in sequence.

D 188, 189, 190 Beginning Jazz Dance I-III

1 creditIntroduction to the varied styles of contemporary jazz technique with an emphasis on the uses of rhythm, syncopation, isolation of the various body parts, and varied rhythmic accompaniment. To be taken in sequence.

D 196, 197, 198 Beginning Tap Dance I-III

1 creditIntroduction to the basic elements of tap dancing, such as the shuffle, flap, ball change and the varied combinations of these and other elements. Improvisation will also be introduced and the various styles of tap will be explored.

D 199 Special Studies

Terms and hours to be arranged. May be repeated for credit.

D 251 Introduction to Dance 3 hours

This course is designed to introduce the origins of the various forms of dance, such as ballet, modern, musical theatre, jazz, tap, folk and contemporary. Also examined will be how and why people dance as well as how and why people watch dance, with concern for becoming more conscious and informed viewers.

D 253 Labanotation

3 creditsA study of the Labanotation method for analysis and recording of basic movements of the human body through the use of symbols. This system is applied to those fields in which there is a need to record motions of the body, dance, athletics, anthropology, and physiotherapy.

D 280, 281, 282 Intermediate Modern Dance I-III

2 creditsDevelopment of the technique level of the student through exposure to varied styles of past and contemporary modern dance trends in movement theory. Individual and compositional studies also will be included. Prerequisite: beginning modern sequence or consent of instructor.

D 285, 286, 287 Intermediate Ballet I-III

1 creditIntroduction of the elements of advanced adagio, barre, petite and grande allegro. Emphasis will be placed on work in the center and across-the-floor combinations. Prerequisite: beginning ballet sequence or consent of instructor.

D 288, 289, 290 Intermediate Jazz Dance I-III

1 creditIntermediate level past and contemporary jazz dance techniques. In addition to American jazz forms, the student will be exposed to African, Haitian and Caribbean jazz dance forms. Some emphasis will be placed on improvisatory jazz dance. Prerequisite: jazz dance sequence or consent of instructor.

Upper-Division Courses

D 310 Women in Dance

3 creditsWomen's contributions to music and dance from 1800 to the present will be presented within historical and sociological contexts.

D 330 Rhythmic Awareness

Prerequisite: Beginning dance sequence, or consent of instructor.

D 351 Dance Composition I

3 creditsThis course will explore choreographic concepts as they relate to the elements of space, time and force. Emphasis will be placed on solo, duet and trio compositions. Prerequisite: beginning modern sequence or consent of instructor.

D 352 Dance Composition II

3 creditsThis course will explore choreographic concepts as they relate to the elements of spatial design, musical form, character study and textural differences. Emphasis will be on quartet, quintet and sextet compositions. Prerequisite: D 351 or consent of instructor.

D 357 Dance in Musical Theater

3 creditsIntroduction to various dance styles used in musical theater choreography. Roles played by selected choreographers in the development of musical theater choreography. Investigation of the relationship between the choreographer and the director, musical director and scenographer in terms of overall production values.

D 380, 381, 382 Advanced Modern Dance

1 creditTo develop the technique level of the student through advanced study in past and contemporary modern dance trends. Some exposure to European as well as American modern dance idioms will be explored. Prerequisite: intermediate modern dance sequence or consent of instructor.

D 390 Kinesiology for Dance

3 creditsThis course includes a survey of kinesiology principles as related to basic movement. The areas stressed are anatomy, physiology, bio-mechanics, movement behavior, and various alignment and conditionary techniques. Students become aware of their personal movement behavior and investigate ways of becoming movement efficient.

D 399 Special Studies

1-3 credits. May be repeated for credit.

D 406 Independent Studies in Dance

1-3 creditsThis course is aimed toward students who wish to study in depth selected topics in dance history, theory, education or criticism. Only 3 credit hours of D 406 and D 408, singly or combined, count as electives in the dance minor. Prerequisite: intermediate level dance study and consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit.

D 407 Seminar

1-15 creditsTerms and hours to be arranged. May be repeated for credit.

D 408 Workshop

1-15 hoursTerms and hours to be arranged. (To allow for various workshops in Dance, i.e., Pas de Deux, men's techniques, African dance, etc.) May be repeated for credit.

D 450 Dance Repertory

1-3 hours. Intermediate and advanced students have an opportunity to work with regionally and/or nationally renowned guest artists who set repertory works, historical works or create new work on WOU dance students. The piece will be performed in the annual dance concert at WOU and if often performed and adjudicated at the regional American College Dance Festival. By audition only. May be repeated for credit.

D 451 Dance Production

3 creditsThis course will provide the practical and theoretical knowledge of the various areas of dance production. Included will be practical experience in sound production, lighting, costume, makeup, management and publicity.

D 451L Dance Production Lab

Designed to give students a hands-on experience in the study and practical application of the aesthetic and technical aspects of producing a dance concert. To be taken concurrently with D451 Dance Production

D 453 Ballet from the Courts to Balanchine

3 creditsThis course will cover the development of ballet from its roots in the Renaissance Courts through the Romantic and Classical eras to the late twentieth century.

D 454 Evolution of Modern Dance

Covers the development of modern dance and the philosophies of the leading modern dancers from Duncan to the present.

D 455 Group Choreography

3 creditsThis course will examine the use of groups of dancers as they relate to design, shape, focus, pace and balance. Group choreographers are integral. Prerequisite: D 351, 352 or consent of instructor.

D 491 Creative Dance for Children

3 credits. Contemporary American and European movement theory as it relates to the elementary school program. The interrelationship of dance to other subject areas will be explored. Prerequisite: a beginning level dance technique sequence or consent of instructor.

D 494 Dance in Secondary Education

3 creditsThis course will introduce a student to the methodologies involved in teaching dance on the secondary level. The topics examined include: how to build a dance class, what to teach and methodology involved, and integration of dance within the secondary school curriculum.

D 496 Dance and Related Arts

3 creditsThis course will examine the aesthetic foundations of dance as a creative art. In addition, the philosophic basis of music, theater and art will be analyzed in relation to dance. Prerequisite: D 251, a dance history course, or consent of instructor.