Dance

Dance

Challenge yourself mentally and physically

In our 63-credit program we take a holistic approach, weaving together theory and performance. Here you'll take both liberal arts and dance courses and prepare yourself for further education elsewhere. In addition to transferring to a four-year institution, you can use your associate's degree as a terminal degree and teach at private dance schools or studios.

In our program we have an encouraging and diverse student body whose members foster collaboration, creativity and leadership. We believe that you should "dance healthy" and support a body-friendly approach that includes health and nutrition.

Program outcomes
  • Demonstrate intermediate-level proficiency in modern dance and ballet technique;
  • Perform in-class improvisations alone, with a partner, and in a group with commitment to the movement;
  • Choreograph and perform a dance using basic principles of dance composition;
  • Perform selected dance repertory for the public according to established criteria;
  • Analyze cultural influences on contemporary dance;
  • Integrate critical elements of dance training into personal dance practice.

Program Curriculum

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General Education Requirements

COURSE ID TITLE CREDITS
ENG 101 English Composition I 3
ENG 102 English Composition II 3
Elective (MAT-106A or higher) Quantitative Reasoning  3 - 4
Elective** Cultural Awareness and Diversity  3
Elective Scientific Reasoning 4
Elective ESW 147 Mat Pilates or ESW 148 Hatha Yoga 2
HIS 101, HIS 102 or HIS 205 History of Western Civilization I, History of Western Civilization II or History of U.S. from 1877 3
CMS 110, CMS 120 or THA 105 Speech Communication, Public Speaking or Introduction to Acting I 3

Major Requirements

COURSE ID TITLE CREDITS
DAN 101 Introduction to Dance Studies* 3
DAN 104 Modern Dance I 3
DAN 110 DAN 110 Introduction to Dance as Art in America* 3
DAN 123 Ballet I 3
DAN 151 Dance Improvisation* 3
DAN 155 Dance Performance Ensemble I 1
DAN 156 Dance Performance Ensemble II 1
DAN 157 Dance Performance Ensemble III* 1
DAN 161 Dance Repertory and Performance I* 3
DAN 204 Modern Dance II* 3
DAN 223 Ballet II* 3
DAN 251 Dance Composition* 3
Elective DAN 131, DAN 134, DAN 162, DAN 205 or DAN 224 3
MUS 120 Music Fundamentals 3
MUS 140 Introduction to Digital Music Technology 3

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Full-time sample course schedule

Semester 1 (fall)

Course ID Title Credits
DAN 101 or DAN 151 Introduction to Dance Studies* or Dance Improvisation* 3
DAN 104 Modern Dance I 3
DAN 155 Dance Performance Ensemble I 1
ENG 101 English Composition I 3
CMS 110, CMS 120 or THA 105 Introduction to Speech Communication, Public Speaking or Introduction to Acting 3
MUS 120 Music Fundamentals 3

Semester 2 (spring)

Course ID Title Credits
DAN 123 Ballet I 3
DAN 110 or DAN 251 Introduction to Dance as Art in America* or Dance Composition* 3
DAN 156 Dance Performance Ensemble II 1
DAN 161 or DAN Elective Dance Repertory and Performance I* or DAN 131, 134, 162, 205 or 224* 3
ENG 102 English Composition II 3
MUS 140 Introduction to Digital Music Technology 3

Semester 3 (fall)

Course ID Title Credits
DAN 101 or DAN 151 Introduction to Dance Studies* or Dance Improvisation* 3
DAN 157 Dance Performance Ensemble III* 1
DAN 204 Modern Dance II* 3
ESW 146 or ESW 147 Mat Pilates or Hatha Yoga 2
Elective** Cultural Awareness and Diversity  3
Elective (excluding ACC 110 and MAT-103A) Quantitative Reasoning 3

Semester 4 (spring)

Course ID Title Credits
DAN 110 or DAN 251 Introduction to Dance as Art in America* or Dance Composition* 3
DAN 223 Ballet II* 3
Scientific Reasoning Any Scientific Reasoning Elective 4
DAN 161 or DAN Elective* Dance Repertory and Performance I* or DAN 131, 134, 162, 205 or 224 3
HIS 101, HIS 102 or HIS 205 History of Western Civilization I, History of Western Civilization II or History of U.S. from 1877 3

Part-time sample course schedule

Semester 1

Course ID Title Credits
DAN 101 or DAN 151 Introduction to Dance Studies* or Dance Improvisation* 3
ENG 101 English Composition I 3

Semester 2

Course ID Title Credits
DAN 123 Ballet I 3
DAN 155 Dance Performance Ensemble I 1
MUS 120 Music Fundamentals 3

Semester 3

Course ID Title Credits
ENG 102 English Composition II 3
CMS 110, CMS 120 or THA 105 Introduction to Speech Communication, Public Speaking or Introduction to Acting 3

Semester 4

Course ID Title Credits
DAN 104 Modern Dance I 3
DAN 101 or DAN 151 Introduction to Dance Studies* or Dance Improvisation* 3
MUS 140 Introduction to Digital Music Technology 3

Semester 5

Course ID Title Credits
DAN 223 Ballet II* 3
DAN 251 or DAN 110 Dance Composition* or Introduction to Dance as Art in America* 3
DAN 156 Dance Performance Ensemble II 1

Semester 6

Course ID Title Credits
Elective** Cultural Awareness and Diversity 3
Elective Quantitative Reasoning (excluding ACC 110 and MAT-103A) 3

Semester 7

Course ID Title Credits
DAN 204 Modern Dance II* 3
DAN Elective* Any of DAN 131, DAN 134, DAN 162, DAN 205 or DAN 224 3
HIS 101, HIS 102 or HIS 205 History of Western Civilization I, History of Western Civilization II or History of U.S. from 1877 3

Semester 8

Course ID Title Credits
DAN 161 Dance Repertory and Performance I* 3
DAN 157 Dance Performance Ensemble III* 1
DAN 251 or DAN 110 Dance Composition* or Introduction to Dance as Art in America* 3

Semester 9

Course ID Title Credits
Elective Scientific Reasoning 4
ESW 146 or ESW 147 Mat Pilates or Hatha Yoga 2

*Course must be completed with a C or better to complete program.

**ANT-104, MUS-110 or THA-114 recommended.

Students who cannot demonstrate a fundamental level of proficiency in modern dance and ballet may be required to take DAN-102/103 Fundamentals of Modern Dance and/or DAN-121/122 Fundamentals of Ballet.

This curriculum outline represents the minimum requirements for the AA in Dance degree. Students planning to transfer as third year dance majors may need to take additional dance courses. Check the requirements of the transfer institution. Students planning to transfer as dance majors are recommended to take at least two DAN technique courses per semester, which will require additional hours of study. Check the requirements of the intended transfer institution.