Dance
Department of Theatre and Dance
Walter Schoen, Chair
Associate Professors Holland, Mike, Schoen, West
Assistant Professor Stegmeir
Assistant Director of Costume and Makeup Hogg
Director of Dance Daleng
Assistant Director of Dance Van Gelder
Each year two professional guest artists join the faculty to work with students and in productions. Additional professionals from the field also are employed as adjunct faculty members.
The Dance Major
Note: The grade point average of the coursework comprising the minor must be no less than 2.00 with no course grade below C- (1.7). Upper-level courses are taught on a rotating basis.
11 units, including
History/Theory, two units
- DANC 230 Dance History/Theory I
- DANC 240 Dance History/Theory II
Choreography, two units
- DANC 255 Choreography I
- DANC 335 Choreography II
Human Kinetics for Dance, one unit
- DANC 320 Human Kinetics for Dance (Science of Movement)
Technical Theatre/Lighting or Costume Design, one unit chosen from
- THTR 202 Stage Lighting
- THTR 206 Introduction to Costume
- THTR 322 Advanced Costume Design
Technique, four units chosen from
- DANC 367 Topics in Dance Techniques
Elective, one unit
- Music, Studio Art, or Art History
Majors must take a minimum of eight units in DANC 367 for .5 unit each as selected topics in ballet, jazz, modern, tap, dance improvisation, and contact improvisation as DANC 367. No student may take the same technique class at the same level more than once for credit with the exception of University Dancers. Majors will be required to take a minimum of one unit at the advanced level. Majors will not be required to write research papers in performance classes if taken as DANC 367 but will be required to complete all other course expectations.
Note: Theatre 330-341 (Practica) and Theatre 388 (Individual Internship) cannot be counted toward the dance major. No course units can be counted toward both a major in dance and a minor in theatre.
The Dance Minor
Note: The grade point average of the coursework comprising the minor must be no less than 2.00 with no course grade below C- (1.7). Upper-level courses are taught on a rotating basis.
6 units, including
DANC 250 Dance History
DANC 255 Choreography
Performance, two units chosen from
- DANC 238 Introduction to Contact Improvisation
- DANC 248 Introduction to Movement Improvisation
- DANC 256 Beginning Jazz Dance
- DANC 257 Beginning Ballet
- DANC 258 Writing from the Body: Words and Movement
- DANC 259 Beginning Tap Dance
- DANC 260 Beginning Modern Dance
- DANC 261 Intermediate Jazz Dance
- DANC 262 Intermediate Tap Dance
- DANC 263 Intermediate Modern Dance
- DANC 266 Intermediate Ballet
- DANC 306 University Dancers
- DANC 316 Repertory
- DANC 356 Pointe and Variations
- DANC 361 Advanced Jazz Dance
- DANC 362 Advanced Tap Dance
- DANC 363 Advanced Modern Dance
- DANC 366 Advanced Ballet
Technical Theatre/Theatre Design, one unit chosen from
- THTR 201 Stagecraft
- THTR 202 Stage Lighting
- THTR 206 Introduction to Costume
- THTR 213 Fundamentals of Stage Makeup
- THTR 301 Scene Design
- THTR 302 Scene Painting
- THTR 322 Advanced Costume Design
Acting or Stage Lighting, one unit chosen from
- THTR 202 Stage Lighting
- THTR 212 Basics of Acting
- THTR 327 Acting Shakespeare I
- THTR 328 Acting Shakespeare II
Note: No course units can be counted twice. Theatre 330-341 (Practica) and Theatre 388 (Individual Internship) cannot be counted toward the dance minor.
Students are expected to fulfill all prerequisites necessary for courses within the minor. Prerequisites do not count toward the minor unless otherwise noted.
Related Fields
Interdisciplinary concentration in arts management for studio art, art history, music, theatre, and dance majors or minors
Courses
DANC
230 Dance History/Theory I
Focuses on dance studies that use a theoretical and historical perspective based in dance and other movement practices as a means of analyzing dance within larger cultural contexts. Studies the development of dance in Western culture from its primitive beginnings the through Renaissance era. Integrates theory and practice as a means of heightening a scholarly inquiry.
Prerequisite(s): (FSVP)
Unit(s): 1
DANC
238 Introduction to Contact Improvisation
The practice and exploration of contact improvisation, an improvised movement form that relies on partners in constant physical dialog and connection. Class is devoted to developing balance, strength, flexibility, trust, support, weight-sharing, risk-taking, play, and body awareness. The class is ideal for students pursuing dance, theater, biology, psychology, or anyone wanting a physical challenge.
General Education Requirement: (FSVP)
Unit(s): 1
DANC
240 Dance History/Theory II
Focuses on dance studies that use a theoretical and historical perspective based in dance and other movement practices as a means of analyzing dance within larger cultural contexts. Studies the development of dance in Western culture from the Baroque era through Modern dance. Integrates theory and practice as a means of heightening a scholarly inquiry.
Prerequisite(s): (FSVP)
Unit(s): 1
DANC
248 Introduction to Movement Improvisation
Focus on unraveling habitual ways of moving to discover impromptu motion and new patterns in groups, duets, and alone. A range of contemporary theoretical, artistic, and ethnographic techniques from American and international improvisers will be explored for strategies, techniques, motivations, and process.
General Education Requirement: (FSVP)
Unit(s): 1
DANC
250 Dance History
Study of the development of dance in Western culture from its primitive beginnings to present. Students will create dance sequences in movement labs.
General Education Requirement: (FSVP)
Unit(s): 1
DANC
255 Choreography I
Study of choreographic process covering fundamentals of movement composition. Studio time includes improvisation and choreography.
Prerequisite(s): Department approval.
General Education Requirement: (FSVP)
Unit(s): 1
DANC
256 Beginning Jazz Dance
Introduction to jazz dance as an eclectic form of artistic expression with emphasis on rhythm and technique. Students are required to critique live dance concerts as well as conduct research on a relevant topic.
General Education Requirement: (FSVP)
Unit(s): 1
DANC
257 Beginning Ballet
Introductory course in ballet as a theatrical art form. Study of basic ballet terminology, understanding of correct body placement, and a general knowledge of performing elementary ballet technique. Students are required to critique live dance concerts as well as conduct research on a relevant topic.
General Education Requirement: (FSVP)
Unit(s): 1
DANC
258 Writing from the Body: Words and Movement
Reflection on how one moves through the world and how experience gets articulated. Class is devoted to exercises that generate movement and writing, both used as gateways to the other.
General Education Requirement: (FSVP)
Unit(s): 1
DANC
259 Beginning Tap Dance
Introduction to tap dance, a theatrical form of artistic expression with development of a movement vocabulary based on rhythms made with taps. Students are required to critique live dance concerts as well as conduct research on a relevant topic.
General Education Requirement: (FSVP)
Unit(s): 1
DANC
260 Beginning Modern Dance
Introduction to modern dance as a diverse form of expression with development of language of movement. Students are required to critique live dance concerts as well as conduct research on a relevant topic.
General Education Requirement: (FSVP)
Unit(s): 1
DANC
261 Intermediate Jazz Dance
Continuation of beginning jazz, emphasizing intermediate technique, vocabulary, and style. Students are required to critique live dance concerts as well as conduct research on a relevant topic.
Prerequisite(s): Previous jazz technique.
Unit(s): 1
DANC
262 Intermediate Tap Dance
Continuation of beginning tap dance, emphasizing intermediate technique using movement to build strength and coordination. Syncopated rhythms are explored with the sounds of the taps. Students are required to critique live dance concerts as well as conduct research on a relevant topic.
Prerequisite(s): Previous tap dance technique.
Unit(s): 1
DANC
263 Intermediate Modern Dance
Continuation of beginning modern dance, emphasizing intermediate technique and development of an aesthetic vocabulary of contemporary modern dance. Students are required to critique live dance concerts as well as conduct research on a relevant topic.
Prerequisite(s): Previous modern dance technique.
Unit(s): 1
DANC
266 Intermediate Ballet
Continuation of beginning ballet, emphasizing intermediate technique and vocabulary. Students are required to critique live dance concerts as well as conduct research on a relevant topic.
Prerequisite(s): Previous ballet technique.
Unit(s): 1
DANC
306 University Dancers
Technique, rehearsal, and performance of dance works choreographed by dance faculty, students, and visiting choreographers. May be repeated for credit.
Prerequisite(s): Audition or invitation of director.
Unit(s): .5
DANC
312 Special Topics in Dance
Offered on an as-needed basis. Representative topics include ballet, jazz, modern, tap, dance history, advanced choreography, dance theory, music for dancers, kinesiology, and pointe.
Unit(s): .5-1
DANC
315 Independent Study
Restriction: Prospectus must be submitted and approved prior to the end of advance registration.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.
Unit(s): .5-1
DANC
316 Repertory
Students in the repertory class are members of University Dancers, and will spend the fall semester learning, rehearsing, and collaborating on a new piece of choreography by one of the University of Richmond's dance faculty or a guest artist.
Prerequisite(s): Dance 306 (corequisite).
Unit(s): .5
DANC
320 Human Kinetics for Dance
The science of human movement and knowledge of the skeletal and muscular structures which is a valuable tool in a dancer's growth. Focus on how the body functions and moves as the students develop an objective and realistic sense of their strengths and weakness. An approach that applies principles towards the anatomical analysis, assessment, function, preservation and enhancement of human movement.
Unit(s): 1
DANC
335 Choreography II
Continuation of Choreography I, developing choreographic ideas with an emphasis on the exploration of different approaches to choreographic forms, building on themes and style in group studies.
Prerequisite(s): Dance 255.
Unit(s): 1
DANC
356 Pointe and Variation
For advanced ballet students to continue training in pointe work. Study of classical variations in a historical context and performance of these variations in an informal showing. Students are required to critique live dance concerts as well as conduct research on a relevant topic.
Prerequisite(s): Must be able to dance on pointe at the intermediate or advanced level.
Unit(s): 1
DANC
361 Advanced Jazz Dance
Continuation of intermediate jazz, emphasizing advanced technique, vocabulary, and style. Students are required to critique live dance concerts as well as conduct research on a relevant topic.
Prerequisite(s): Previous intermediate jazz technique.
Unit(s): 1
DANC
362 Advanced Tap Dance
Continuation of intermediate tap dance, emphasizing advanced technique using movement to build strength and coordination. Syncopated rhythms are explored with the sounds of the taps. Students are required to critique live dance concerts as well as conduct research on a relevant topic.
Prerequisite(s): Previous intermediate tap dance technique.
Unit(s): 1
DANC
363 Advanced Modern Dance
Continuation of intermediate modern dance, emphasizing advanced technique and developing an aesthetic vocabulary of contemporary modern dance. Students are required to critique live dance concerts as well as conduct research on a relevant topic.
Prerequisite(s): Previous intermediate modern dance technique.
Unit(s): 1
DANC
366 Advanced Ballet
Continuation of intermediate ballet, emphasizing advanced technique and vocabulary. Students are required to critique live dance concerts as well as conduct research on a relevant topic.
Prerequisite(s): Previous intermediate ballet technique.
Unit(s): 1
DANC
367 Topics in Dance Techniques
Selected topics in ballet, jazz, modern, tap, dance improvisation, and contact
improvisation for dance majors. Must be repeated eight times to fulfill the major requirements however no student can take the same technique at the same level more than once for credit with the exception of University Dancers.
Unit(s): .5
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