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

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.

B. A. in Dance 45-47 units for the major

Core Courses (29 units)

• DANC 104     Modern/Contemporary 2 (3 units)
• DANC 287     Choreography/Rhythmic Analysis (1 unit)
• DANC 303     Dance in World Cultures (3 units)
• DANC 310     Ballet 2 (2 units)
• DANC 320     Jazz 2 (2 units)
• DANC 330     Modern/Contemporary 3 (2 units)
• DANC 350     Dance Science (2 units)
• DANC 352     Bodyworks (3 units)
• DANC 354     Teaching of Dance (2 units)
• DANC 389     Choreography 2 (2 units)
• DANC 477w   Career Skills for Performing Artists (3 units)
• DANC 488     Dance Performance Ensemble (1 unit)
• DANC 489     Dance Theatre Production (3 units)

Complete four units of the following(4)

• DANC 240     African Dance (1 unit)
• DANC 241     Hip hop (1 unit)
• DANC 243     Tap Dance (1 unit)
• DANC 245     Middle Eastern Dance (1 unit)
• DANC 247     Mexican Folklorico Dance (1 unit)
• DANC 248     Danza Azteca (1 unit)

Complete eight units from the following (8)

• DANC 103     Modern/Contemporary 1 (3 units)
• DANC 110     Ballet 1 (2 units)
• DANCE 120   Jazz 1 (2 units)
• DANC 310T   Ballet 2 Skills maintenance (1 unit)
• DANC 320T   Jazz 2 Skills maintenance (1 unit)
• DANC 330T   Modern/Cont. Skills maintenance (1 unit)
• DANC 488     Dance Performance repeated (1-3 units)
• PE 192          Latin Dance (1 unit)
• PE 195          Swing Dance (1 unit)

Complete 4-6 units from the following (4-6)

• CD 209       Child Development (3 units)
• CD255        Early Child Development (3 units)
• ES 202       Hip hop and the Black Experience (3 units)
• ES 305       African American Cultural History (3 units)
• ES 314       Chicano Culture and Society (3 units)
• MUS 302    Music in World Cultures (3 units)
• PHIL 309b  Perspectives: Humanities (3 units)
• Rec 302      Inclusive Recreation (3 units)
• TA 105        Acting 1 (3 units)
• TA 221        Make up for Stage and Screen (2 units)
• TA 307        Theatre of the Oppressed (3 units)
• TA 237        Production Techniques (2 units)
• TA 333        Lighting Design (4 units)
• TA 336       Costume Design (4 units)

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     Production Techniques (3 units)
• TA 333     Lighting Design Stage/Screen (4 units)
• TA 336     Costume Design Stage/Screen (4 units)

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

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

Group 3: Dance Education 

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

Dance Minor  (Total: Minimum 18 units)

Core Courses (9 units)

• DANC 104 Modern/Contemporary 2 (3 units)
• DANC 287 Choreography/Rhythmic Analysis (1 unit)
• DANC 303 Dance in World Cultures (3 units)
• DANC 389 Choreography 2 (2 units)

Complete one unit of the following(1)

• DANC 240 African Dance (1 unit)
• DANC 241 Hip hop (1 unit)
• DANC 243 Tap Dance (1 unit)
• DANC 245 Middle Eastern Dance (1 unit)
• DANC 247 Mexican Folklorico Dance (1 unit)
• DANC 248 Danza Azteca (1 unit)

Complete eight units from the following (8) (one must be upper division: 300 or 400 level)

• DANC 103 Modern/Contemporary 1 (3 units)
• DANC 110 Ballet 1 (2 units)
• DANCE 120 Jazz 1 (2 units)
• DANC 310T Ballet 2 Skills maintenance (1 unit)
• DANC 320T Jazz 2 Skills maintenance (1 unit)
• DANC 330T Modern/Cont. Skills maintenance (1 unit)
• DANC 488 Dance Performance repeated (1-3 units)
• PE 192 Latin Dance (1 unit)
• PE 195 Swing Dance (1 unit)

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