Academic Learning Compact - Dance

The degree program in dance offers two specializations, one leading to a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and one leading to a Bachelor of Arts (BA).

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance provides extensive training and skills in contemporary dance and choreography with four interlocking areas of 21st century dance study: choreography and performance, intercultural dance studies, dance and medicine, and dance theatre. Dance is studied as a major performing art that impacts artistic, cultural, intellectual and social spheres.

The Bachelor of Arts in dance educates the student as a generalist in dance studies. Students follow a course of study essential to the field of dance, including performance, history, theory, literature, design, technology and related disciplines, all while enjoying sufficient flexibility to pursue other areas of study, including a minor or a major in a field other than dance. Successful degree candidates develop independent, interdisciplinary critical thought, and can articulate the power and agency of the arts over time and across cultures and perspectives.

Additional information is available from your major's website.

Before Graduating You Must

• Develop and complete a senior project approved and evaluated by faculty. The BA project would be research oriented; the BFA would be choreographically related.
• Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.

Skills You Will Acquire in the Major (SLOs) - BA in Dance Studies

1. Develops competency in the terminology, concepts, methodologies and theories of dance studies, and knowledge of varied applications of dance.
2. Analyzes and fosters dance studies inquiry in correlation with diverse creative, historical, social, cultural perspectives and/or other disciplinary perspectives.
3. Develops and articulates in writing and/or practice applications of dance studies.

Skills You Will Acquire in the Major  - BFA in Dance Performance

1. Develops competency in diverse somatic/choreographic practices and dance studies.
2. Conducts and examines choreographic inquiry using diverse creative, historical, social and/or cultural perspectives.
3. Articulates an original voice in choreographic production and analysis.

BA in Dance Studies

Table Key: I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Assessment Types:
Final thesis and/or project; National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD) accreditation review; capstone paper or portfolio review; juries.

BFA in Dance Performance

Table Key: I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Assessment Types:
Final performance, thesis and/or project; National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD) accreditation review; capstone research review; juries.