Dance Courses (DANC)

Related Catalog Entry: Institute of the Arts

Related Mason Website: Dance (http://dance.gmu.edu/), Institute of the Arts (http://www.gmu.edu/cfa/ioa.html)

101 Dance Appreciation (3:3:0). Introduction to dance as a cultural art form. Elements of dance are examined separately and combined in various dance forms. A brief survey of the basic forms leads to a more intensive study of modern and the new dance. Criticism and evaluation are stressed. f,s

114 Rhythmic Analysis and Music Resources for Dance (3:3:0).Prerequisite: Dance major or permission of instructor. An introduction to the rhythmic structure, notation, and basic forms of music. Experience with audio equipment in creating simple sound scores. Taught in a lecture/lab format. May not be taken if DANC 313 has been previously credited. af

118 World Dance (3:3:0). Develops knowledge, skills, and an appreciation of world dance forms through the presentation of fundamental techniques, music, and culture. Area of concentration varies to include as many cultures as possible. May be repeated for a total of six credits.

125 Beginning Modern Dance (3:3:0). Develops knowledge, skills, and an appreciation of modern dance through the presentation of fundamental techniques and creative movement experiences. May be repeated for a total of six credits. f,s

127 Contemporary Dance I (3:3:0).Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Beginning technique course in modern dance designed specifically to meet the professional needs of students who have declared, or are seriously considering, a major in dance. May be repeated for a total of six credits.

131 Beginning Jazz Technique (3:3:0). Students are advised to take DANC 125 concurrently. Mechanics of movement in the jazz style of dance. Emphasis on development of techniques for jazz training. May be repeated for a total of six credits.

145 Beginning Ballet (3:3:0). Introduction to the elements of ballet technique and vocabulary. Stress on learning the elementary positions and movements characteristic of this highly stylized art form. May be repeated for a total of six credits. f,s

150 Dance Improvisation (3:3:0). Exploration into the creation of spontaneous movement experiences. Emphasis on encouraging freedom of self-expression and creative awareness. s

161 Beginning Tap Dance (3:3:0). Elementary exploration into the rhythms and steps basic to the art form of tap dancing. May be repeated for a total of six credits.

170 Orientation to Dance Production (1:1:1).Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Introduction to sound, lighting, and stage management elements and terminology as related to dance performance. Taught in an intensive workshop setting emphasizing laboratory experience. f

204 Visual Thinking (3:3:0). Also ARIN 204, ARTS 204, and THR 204. Not open to students who have had ARTS 102. An introduction to visual thinking. Topics include information from visual perception, memory, classical and modern art, performance, and dance. Opportunities for students to assess themselves as visual thinkers.

205 Creative Impulses (3:3:0). Also ARIN 205, ARTS 205, and THR 205. A study of the creative process in general, with particular emphasis on the inspiration, working methods, and final creations of various artists. Students are encouraged to explore their own creative processes through regular journal keeping, collaborative exercises, and two major projects.

210 Dynamic Alignment (3:3:0).Prerequisite: Dance major or permission of instructor. Aspects of anatomy and kinesiology that directly apply to the correct development of dance technique. Emphasis on the use of exercise correctives and imagery to correct insufficient muscle pattern and reduce stress upon the body. May not be taken if DANC 305 has been previously credited. af

225 Beginning Intermediate Modern Dance (3:3:0).Prerequisite: DANC 125 or permission of instructor. Designed to further develop the knowledge, skills, and appreciation of modern dance through the continued exploration of techniques, aesthetics, and creativity. May be repeated for a total of nine credits. f,s

231 Intermediate Jazz Technique (3:3:0).Prerequisite: DANC 131 or permission of instructor. Continued study of movement in the jazz style of dance. May be repeated for a total of 12 credits.

245 Beginning Intermediate Ballet (3:3:0).Prerequisite: DANC 145 or permission of instructor. Further development of knowledge, skills, and appreciation through the technique, vocabulary, and history of ballet. May be repeated for a total of nine credits. f,s

251 Dance Composition I (3:3:0).Prerequisites: DANC 125 and DANC 150 or permission of instructor. Introduction to basic principles for composing movement for dance. Emphasis on simple compositional forms in dance as they apply to the solo performer. f

252 Dance Composition II (3:3:0).Prerequisite: DANC 251 or permission of instructor. Exploration of the elements of compositional forms in dance as they apply to group forms. Experience in composing and performing duets, trios, quartets, and mass pieces. s

270 Dance Production Lab (1-6:1:1).Prerequisite: DANC 170 or permission of instructor. Practical experience in the areas of stage crew, sound, and/or lighting of dance productions through rehearsal to public performance for university dance concerts or guest artist programs. May be repeated for a total of six credits. f,s

307 Aesthetic Awareness (3:3:0). Also ARIN 307, ARTS 307, and THR 307. The presentation of the historical, philosophical, and aesthetic traditions of the arts with opportunities for each student to confront their own sense of beauty.

308 Cross-Cultural Arts Appreciation (3:3:0). Also ARIN 308, ARTS 308, and THR 308. The course gives students a cumulative arts experience by tying the subject matter of the course to one of the major cultural productions of the Center for the Arts. Subject matter varies each semester.

314 Music Accompaniment for Dance (3:3:0).Prerequisite: DANC 114, or permission of instructor. Lecture practicum course that gives both dance and music students practical experience in dance accompaniment, primarily through the use of percussion instruments. Students use their knowledge of music and rhythm to accompany and enhance a dance technique class.

325 Intermediate Modern Dance (1-3:1-3:0).Prerequisite: Audition or permission of instructor. Continued exploration in movement and motion to further develop technical ability in dance. Emphasis on improvement of technical and performance skills. May be repeated for a total of 12 credits.

326 Dance Performance Practicum (1:0:3).Prerequisite: Audition. Practical experience in the area of dance performance through the rehearsal process of university dance concerts. May be repeated for a total of three credits.

345 Intermediate Ballet (1-3:1-3:0).Prerequisite: Audition or permission of instructor. Continued training at the intermediate level. Emphasis on increasing technical proficiency and aesthetic awareness. May be repeated for a total of 12 credits. f,s

350 Advanced Dance Improvisation (3:3:0).Prerequisites: DANC 125, 126, and 150, or permission of instructor. Lecture/performance course for continued study of dance improvisation. Each student is responsible for creating and directing advanced problems in dance improvisation.

351 Dance Composition III (3:3:0).Prerequisite: DANC 252 or permission of instructor. A continued exploration and research of both classic and group dance forms. Students gain experience in working on collaborative projects that involve sharing creative responsibilities with other artistic forms (i.e., music, fine arts, visual arts, or theatrical arts).

360 Choreography (3:3:0).Prerequisite: DANC 252 or permission of instructor. Continued choreographic exploration and research, culminating in bringing completed works to production.

362 Directed Choreography (1:0:3).Prerequisite: DANC 252 or permission of instructor. A faculty-guided, individual learning experience where students learn to choreograph a dance work by auditioning dancers, costuming, staging, lighting, selecting musical accompaniment, and composing original movement material.

370 Dance Performance (1:0:3).Prerequisite: Audition or permission of instructor. Practical experience in the areas of performance, repertory, and choreography through rehearsal and public performance of university dance concerts or guest artist programs. May be repeated for a total of 12 credits. f,s

371 Residency Workshop (1:0:3).Prerequisite: Audition. Rehearsal and performance of either a new or restaged dance by a guest choreographer in an intensive rehearsal setting. May be repeated for a total of six credits. f,s

372 Advanced Dance Production (1:1:1).Prerequisite: DANC 170 or permission of instructor. Methodology and practice of stage make-up, costume design, and lighting as dictated by specific needs of a dance performance. Taught in a series of workshop settings. as

390 Dance History: Pre-20th Century (3:3:0). History of the social, cultural, and philosophical factors in the development of Western dance as an art form to the 20th century. af

391 Dance History: 20th Century (3:3:0). History of the social, cultural, and philosophical factors in the development of Western dance as an art form in the 20th century. as

394 Intermediate Labanotation (2:2:1).Prerequisite: DANC 393. Intermediate theory and practice in Labanotation. Movement analysis skills and the ability to read and write using the intermediate symbol set is emphasized. as

399 Independent Study (1-3:0:0).Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Individual research or creative project supervised by a faculty member. May be repeated for a total of six credits. f,s

420 Special Topics in Dance (1-3:1-3:0).Prerequisite: Nine credits of dance courses or permission of instructor. In-depth presentation and exploration of topical studies in dance and/or related study areas (e.g., dance as therapy, avant-garde dance, philosophic approach to 20th-century dance artists, cinedance). Topic depends on instructor. May be repeated for a total of nine credits.

425 Advanced Modern Dance (1-3:1-3:0).Prerequisite: Audition or permission of instructor. Continued training for advanced students. Emphasis on attainment of high-quality technical and performance skills. May be repeated for a total of 24 credits. f,s

445 Advanced Ballet (1-3:1-3:0).Prerequisite: Audition or permission of instructor. Performance/lab dealing with ballet at the advanced level. Emphasis on attainment of high-quality technical and performance skills. May be repeated for a total of 24 credits.

451 Dance Composition IV (3:3:0).Prerequisite:DANC 351 or permission of instructor. An examination of nontraditional and experimental dance forms in the areas of performance art, site specific works, and multimedia approaches. s

453 Teaching Creative Movement (3:3:0).Prerequisites: DANC 125 and DANC 150, or permission of instructor.

454 Teaching Principles of Modern Dance (3:3:0).Prerequisites: Six credits of dance technique and DANC 305 or DANC 210. Provides advanced dance students with the methods, principles, and background knowledge for teaching modern dance. Students are expected to apply knowledge gained from previous courses in technique and alignment in the demonstration of their ability to teach a modern dance class.

455 Teaching Practicum (1-3:3:0).Prerequisites: DANC 454 and permission of instructor. A full semester of supervised teaching experience in an approved school or studio dance program. Credits are based on number of teaching contact hours per week. May be repeated for a total of 12 credits.

480 Introduction to Laban Movement Analysis (3:3:0).Prerequisite: DANC 120 or permission of instructor. Introduction to the components of Laban Movement Analysis: Body, Shape, Effort, and Space. The course also includes Motif Writing for recording and analyzing movement.

489 Field Experience in the Arts (3-6:0:0). Also ARIN 489, ARTS 489, and THR 494.Prerequisite: Junior standing and completion of six credits in IOA courses in the area of residency, ARIN 350, or permission of instructor. An apprenticeship, internship, or project with an organization in the arts or with an individual in the arts, providing an introductory working and learning experience in the field. Must be prearranged with the division director prior to enrollment. May be repeated for a maximum of six credits.

501 Graduate Dance Seminar (3:3:0). Presentation and discussion of current issues in dance specific to the areas of education, research, and professional development in the field.

520 Special Topics in Dance (1-3:1-3:0).Prerequisite: Nine credits of dance courses or permission of instructor. In-depth presentation and exploration of topical studies in dance and/or related study areas. Topic depends on instructor. May be repeated for a total of nine credits.

525 Advanced Modern Dance (1-3:1-3:0).Prerequisite: Audition. Advanced training in modern technique emphasizing the attainment of high technical ability and performing skills. May be repeated for a total of 18 credits.

545 Advanced Ballet (1-3:1-3:0).Prerequisite: Audition. Advanced training in ballet technique with an emphasis on high technical quality, performance skills, ballet vocabulary and styles. May be repeated for a total of 18 credits.

553 Teaching Creative Movement (3:3:0).Prerequisite: DANC 125 and 150, or permission of instructor. To provide theory, methodology and practicum experience in preparation for teaching creative movement to children K-12, with some application to special populations.

560 Advanced Choreography (3:3:0).Prerequisite: DANC 351 or permission of instructor. Intensive study and exploration of advanced choreographic forms culminating in a public performance of a complete dance work. May be repeated for a total of 12 credits.

562 Directed Choreography (1-3:3:0).Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Individual choreographic project supervised by a faculty member. May be repeated for a total of six credits.

570 Advanced Dance Performance (1:0:3).Prerequisite: Audition. Advanced performance through participation in university productions and professional dance companies. May be repeated for a total of 12 credits.

571 Residency Workshop (1:0:3).Prerequisite: Audition. Rehearsal and performance of a new or restaged dance by a guest choreographer in an intensive rehearsal setting. May be repeated for a total of six credits.

580 Laban Movement Analysis (3:3:0).Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Introduction to the components of Laban Movement Analysis: Body, Shape, Effort, and Space. The course also includes Motif Writing for recording and analyzing movement.

598 Philosophy and Aesthetics of Dance (3:3:0).Prerequisites: DANC 390 and 391, or permission of instructor. A study of the philosophical theories and aesthetic principles of dance as a performing art.

599 Independent Study (1-3:0:0). Individual research or a creative project in close consultation with an instructor. May be repeated for a total of six credits.

615 Contemporary Trends (3:3:0).Prerequisite: Graduate standing. A study of contemporary art and artists and their current ideas and practices as they relate to the making of new work.

627 Advanced Teaching Seminar (3:3:0).Prerequisite: DANC 454 or permission of instructor. Discussion of advanced problems in teaching from both the scientific and creative points of view.

680 Dance Management (3:3:0).Prerequisite: Graduate standing. Exploration into the technical, financial, and economic aspects of dance management, including the areas of marketing, fund raising, publicity, incorporation, booking, nonprofit vs. profit-making organizations, and issues relating to current practices in the performing arts industry.

790 Internship (1-3:0:0).Prerequisites: Graduate standing and permission of advisor. Study that would involve intensive professional experience through sponsorship by a dance company, agency, or other arts organization in the areas of management, administration, performing, choreography, or teaching. May be repeated for a total of six credits.

799 Thesis (1-6:0:0).Prerequisites: Graduate standing, permission of advisor, and approval of proposal. Original research, including written work and a public performance, under the direction of a thesis committee.