Program Overview

 The dance program is designed to encourage students to explore their artistic and creative qualities while improving and enhancing their technical dance skills.

The program provides an interdisciplinary approach to education, while preparing students for dance-related careers and for graduate studies.

We offer a broad spectrum of both traditional technique classes as well world dance forms such as African, Middle Eastern, Mexican Folklorico and Aztec dance. The program encourages students to expand their knowledge and appreciation of the technical, artistic and intellectual sides of dance. 

Dance Program Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Evaluate basic knowledge of dance from the historical, social and cultural contexts by using specific dance vocabulary.

2. Execute basic dance technique skills.

3. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the body from anatomical and/or somatic perspectives.

4. Demonstrate knowledge of compositional craft for choreography.

5. Identify necessary components of dance production.

The Degrees

B.A. In Dance Studies (Interdisciplinary Studies)

Majors must be able to place in DANC 310, DANC 320 and DANC 330 to complete degree. Lower levels of these courses taken remedially count as dance electives.  It is highly recommended that majors take a dance technique class every semester: One repeat of each of the following may count as a Dance/Movement elective. “T” courses offer 1 unit opportunities to maintain technical and artistic performance skills. Majors must complete their course of study with a C or better in each course.

REQUIRED COURSES   31 Units

INTERDISCIPLINARY: APPROVED ELECTIVES  (10 UNITS REQUIRED)

                            Units

• DANC 104  3  Modern/Contemporary II
• DANC 288  1  Music for Dancers                         
• DANC 289  1  Choreography I                             
• DANC 303  3  Dance in World Cultures              
• DANC 310  2  Ballet II                                             
• DANC 320  2  Jazz II                                                
• DANC 330  2  Modern III                                         
• DANC 350  3  Dance Science
• DANC 352  3  Bodyworks
• DANC 389  2  Choreography II                             
• DANC 488  1  Dance Performance Ensemble             
• DANC 489  4  Dance Theater Production          
• TA 494         2  Senior Seminar                                                                                                   

  Take two of the following: 

• DANC 240  1  African Dance
• DANC 243  1  Tap Dance
• DANC 245  1   Middle Eastern Dance
• DANC 247  1   Mexican Folklorico Dance

DANCE MOVEMENT ELECTIVES (9 UNITS MIN)                                                                                                

• DANC 103    3   Modern/Contemp I                     
• DANC 103T  1   Modern/Contemp I / Skills Maintenance            
• DANC 104    3   Modern/Contemp II                     
• DANC 104T  1   Modern/Contemp II / Skills Maintenance            
• DANC 110     2   Ballet I                                             
• DANC 110T   1   Ballet I / Skills Maintenance                                    
• DANC 120     2   Jazz I                                                 
• DANC 120T   1   Jazz I / Skills Maintenance                                        
• DANC 240     1   African Dance                                 
• DANC 243     1   Tap Dance                                        
• DANC 245     1   Middle Eastern Dance                  
• DANC 247     1   Mexican Folklorico Dance           
• DANC 310     2   Ballet II                                             
• DANC 310T   1   Ballet II / Skills Maintenance                                    
• DANC 320     2   Jazz II                                               
• DANC 320T   1   Jazz II / Skills Maintenance                                       
• DANC 330     2   Modern III                                         
• DANC 330T   1   Modern III / Skills Maintenance                                
• DANC 350     3   Dance Science                                 
• DANC 380    1-4 Special Topics                                
• DANC 480    1-4 Special Topics                                
• DANC 484     3    Creative Dance / Classroom       
• DANC 488    1-4  Dance Performance Ensemble             
• DANC 489     4    Dance Theater Production          
• DANC 499    1-4  Directed Study                                
• PE 192           1    Latin Dance                                     
• PE 194           1    Social Dance 
• PE 196           1    Swing Dance                                   

Approved Electives- Interdisciplinary

TAKE ONE COURSE FROM GROUP 1 AND THE REMAINING UNITS FROM GROUP 2 OR 3

Group 1:  Design and Production for Dance

Choose ONE course

• TA 237  3  Production Techniques
• TA 333  4  Lighting Design Stage/Screen
• TA 336  4  Costume Design Stage/Screen

Group 2: Dance/Art for Self, Society and Culture 

• ES 245       3   Hip Hop/Black Experience
• MUS 302    3   Music in World Culture
• PHIL 301    3   Reflections on the Arts
• PHIL 309B  3   Perspectives: Humanities/Science/Social Science
• SOC 316    4   Gender and Society
• TA 104        4   Story Through Word and Image
• TA 307        3   Theater of the Oppressed

Group 3: Dance Education 

• CD 209       3   Middle Childhood Development
• CD 255       3   Early Childhood Development
• CD 350       3   Perspectives: Life Span Development
• DANC 484  3   Creative Dance for the Classroom
• KINS 313    2   Concepts of Teaching Dance
• KINS 317    2   Concepts of Teaching Fitness
• KINS 475    3   Elementary Education/PE
• KINS 484    3   Motor Development/Learning
• REC 210     3   Recreation Leadership
• REC 302     3   Inclusive Recreation
• REC 320     3   Organization, Administration and Planning

Dance Minor  (Total: Minimum 18 units)

Required Units (10):

• DANC 104   3   Modern II
• DANC 288   1   Music for Dancers
• DANC 289   1   Choreography I
• DANC 303   3   Dance in World Cultures
• DANC 389   2   Choreography II

Elective Units (minimum 8 units)

• DANC 103     3   Modern I
• DANC 103T   1   Modern I Skills Maintenance
• DANC 104     3   Modern II
• DANC 104T   1   Modern II Skills Maintenance
• DANC 110     2    Ballet I
• DANC 110T   1    Ballet I Skills Maintenance
• DANC 120     2    Jazz I
• DANC 120T   1    Jazz I Skills Maintenance
• DANC 240     1    African Dance
• DANC 243     1    Tap Dance
• DANC 245     1    Middle Eastern Dance
• DANC 247     1    Mexican Folklorico Dance
• DANC 310     2    Ballet II
• DANC 310T   1    Ballet II Skills Maintenance
• DANC 320     2    Jazz II
• DANC 320T   1    Jazz II Skills Maintenance
• DANC 330     2    Modern III
• DANC 330T   1    Modern III Skills Maintenance
• DANC 350     3    Dance Science
• DANC 352    3    Bodyworks
• DANC 380     1-3 Special Topics (Activity Based)
• DANC 480     1-4 Special Topics
• DANC 484     3    Creative Dance for the Classroom
• DANC 488     1-4 Dance Performance Ensemble
• DANC 489     4    Dance Production
• DANC 499     1-4 Directed Study
• PE 192           1    Latin Dance
• PE 194           1    Social Dance
• PE 196           1    Swing Dance

Double Major

Want to double major?

Many students like to combine a dance major with a second major which gives students greater career opportunities upon graduation. With careful planning, it is possible for a student to graduate in four years with a double major.

Several of our required classes double-count as GE requirements:

• DANC 103, 104  Area C lower division
• DANC 303   Area C upper division and DCG – non-domestic
• DANC 352   (prior to fall 18)  Area E upper division

Interdisciplinary electives allow for many courses in the second major to double count on the Dance degree. 

Here are a few easily facilitated double majors that are applicable to career success and currently popular our students:

• Dance and Kinesiology
• Dance and Theater
• Dance and Child Development
• Dance and Elementary Education
• Dance and Recreation
• Dance and Psychology 

Dance Careers and Marketable Skills

Majoring in dance can lead to dance careers as:

• Artistic director
• Performer in a company or commercial/amusement venues
• Choreographer
• Studio Manager/owner
• Dance teacher
• Dance Critic or Historian
• Roles in production
• Company management
• Arts advocacy
• Event coordinator

Marketable skills obtained include:

• Teamwork
• Collaboration
• Creativity
• Artistic expression
• Leadership
• Hands-on problem-solving
• Teaching skills
• Written, verbal, and non-verbal communication skills
• Knowledge of cultural history and events
• Working with diverse populations
• People management
• Time management