REQUIRED THEORETICAL CORE COURSES
All dance majors are required to complete the following:
REQUIRED TECHNICAL CORE COURSES
All dance majors are expected to include dance technique classes in their schedules each semester. Technique courses may be repeated for credit up to three times.
Students must explore all 3 genres (Ballet, Modern, and West African Dance) by the end of their sophomore year by completing a minimum of 1 course in each genre for credit. Upperclassmen have the ability to maintain this breadth of study or specialize in chosen genre(s) based on interest. All students must complete a minimum of 9 courses or 18 credits in their four years and reach the proficiencies stated below.
Required Technique Proficiency - All dance majors are required to achieve the following technical proficiencies for credit (C- or better) for graduation:
- 400-level in at least one genre
- 300-level or higher in a second genre
- 200-level or higher in a third genre
BALLET
DAN 121 - Ballet Technique I
DAN 221 - Ballet Technique II
DAN 320 - Ballet Technique III
DAN 421 - Ballet Technique IV
MODERN
DAN 115 - Modern Technique I
DAN 215 - Modern Technique II
DAN 316 - Modern Technique III
DAN 415 - Modern Technique IV
WEST AFRICAN
DAN 133 - West African Dance Technique I (2 Cr.)
DAN 233 - West African Dance Technique II (2 Cr.)
DAN 333 - West African Dance Technique III (2 Cr.)
DAN 433 - West African Dance Technique IV (2 Cr.)
REQUIRED THEORETICAL AND TECHNICAL ELECTIVES
In addition to the above core requirements, students must select 6-8 credits from the theoretical studies electives and 2 credits from the technical studies electives to complete their course of study.
THEORETICAL STUDIES ELECTIVES
Students must complete a minimum of two courses. One MUST be a 4-credit course.
TECHNICAL STUDIES ELECTIVES
Students must complete a minimum of two courses:
RELATED AREAS OF STUDY
Students may also pursue any of the following related areas of study.
Biological Science Major with Dance Concentration: See Academic Catalogue under Biological Sciences Major for details. This concentration focuses on knowledge and technique in the field of dance science. Study of the sciences is combined with technical and theoretical dance training to provide a basis for understanding problems in dance performance, nutrition, and care and prevention of injuries. With additional course work, this concentration provides preparation for graduate studies in physical therapy, sports medicine, dance medicine, and related fields. In addition to fulfilling all requirements for a major in the biological sciences, requirements for a concentration in dance science are:
Concentration in Arts Management
Arts management is a rapidly expanding profession in performance and institutional arts organizations, including museums and galleries; in community or regional centers for the arts; and in government, corporate, and foundation agencies that are concerned with the development of the arts. Students who pursue a concentration in arts management major or minor in one of the arts and supplement that with courses in arts management and business management. The courses in the major and minor provide a solid foundation in an art form and the additional concentration courses enhance knowledge appropriate to the student’s interest in arts management. All courses in arts management may also be taken independently of the concentration.
The Concentration is open to students majoring or minoring in the arts: those students housed in the Center for Writing, Arts and Media, as well as Visual and Material Cultures students who are housed in the Center for Humanities and Interdisciplinary Studies.
Visit Arts Management Concentration for requirements.
Dance Education Teacher Certification:
Students pursuing certification to teach dance must complete the dance major, DAN 484 and DAN 484L . In addition, see Secondary Education Certification, Grades 7-12 for specifics regarding secondary education courses. Be aware that a ninth semester student teaching in the school system may be required at the undergraduate level, or students may engage in the 4+1 Accelerated Degree option available through the Graduate Programs in Education.
STUDENTS MAY DOUBLE MAJOR OR SELECT TO PURSUE A SPECIFIC COURSE OF STUDY, LISTED BELOW, IN PREPARATION FOR SUCCESSFUL ENTRY TO GRADUATE OR PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS FOR IDENTIFIED CAREERS IN DANCE:
Dance/Movement Therapy
To practice movement/dance therapy one must obtain a masters degree. At the undergraduate level, students may major in dance and gain knowledge in the content areas of psychological theory, human development, multicultural perspectives, group process, behavioural research, psychopathology, psychodiagnosis and assessment skills. This program of study is designed to fully prepare a student to enter a masters program in dance therapy and require the following psychology courses: PSY 105 (intro and lab), PSY 244 (developmental), PSY 219 (diversity), PSY 230 (social), PSY 302 or PSY 305 (methods), and PSY 238 (abnormal).
Preparation for physical therapy programs or dance science graduate programs
Students can major in dance and take additional courses in the sciences that are designed to give students a fundamental knowledge in the content of biology and chemistry. The following courses have been identified as requirements for successful application to physical therapy programs: BIO 112 (4), BIO 111 (4), BIO 210 (4), BIO 360 (4), BIO 261 (4), CHE 111 (4), CHE 151 (4), MA 268 , PSY 105 and PHY 115 or PHY 125 . Students opting to pursue entry to a dance science graduate program will major in dance and select appropriate courses in the sciences for specific graduate programs as requirements for each program vary considerably.
Repeatable Courses
The following courses are repeatable up to eight credits:
DAN 395 - Special Topics in Dance (4 Cr.)
The following courses are repeatable up to three times:
DAN 100 - Pilates Method of Body Conditioning Mat (1 Cr.)
DAN 102 - Pilates Method of Body Conditioning I: Apparatus (1 Cr.)
DAN 105 - Male Technique (1 Cr.)
DAN 115 - Modern Technique (2 Cr.)
DAN 121 - Ballet Technique (2 Cr.)
DAN 133 - West African Dance Technique I (2 Cr.)
DAN 146 - Goucher African Dance and Music Ensemble (1 Cr.)
DAN 201 - Intermediate Pointe (1 Cr.)
DAN 202 - Pilates Method of Body Conditioning II: Apparatus (1 Cr.)
DAN 203 - Dance Repertory (1 Cr.)
DAN 204 - Parnering (1 Cr.)
DAN 215 - Modern Technique II (2 Cr.)
DAN 221 - Ballet Technique II (2 Cr.)
DAN 233 - West African Dance Technique II (2 Cr.)
DAN 290 - Internship in Dance (0-4 Cr.)
DAN 295 - Goucher Repertory Dance Ensemble (1 Cr.)
DAN 302 - Advanced Pointe and Variations (1 Cr.)
DAN 316 - Modern Technique III (2 Cr.)
DAN 320 - Ballet Technique III (2 Cr.)
DAN 333 - West African Dance Technique III (2 Cr.)
DAN 415 - Modern Technique IV (2 Cr.)
DAN 421 - Ballet Technique IV (2 Cr.)
DAN 433 - West African Dance Technique IV (2 Cr.)
NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY FOR DANCE ARTS (NHSDA)
National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA) All students who participate in dance and dance activities at Goucher College are encouraged to strive for National Honors in dance through Goucher College’s Chapter of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts Collegiate level, a program provided by the National Dance Education that recognizes students of dance at the collegiate level in their Artistic Merit, Leadership, and Academic Achievement.
Requirements for NHSDA Induction (any academic standing undergraduate or graduate):
1. The applicant must be an undergraduate or graduate student.
2. The applicant must be enrolled in for-credit dance courses as a dance major, minor, or elective at the school.
3. The applicant must establish an NDEO Undergraduate Student membership or NDEO Graduate Student membership as s/he begins accruing honor points toward induction. The student must maintain this membership while participating in the NHSDA Collegiate Program of any institution. To join NDEO as an Undergraduate or Graduate Student member, click here.
4. The applicant must earn a minimum of 45 points of approved activities in three strands (Artistic Merit, Leadership, and Academic Achievement) in 6 of 10 categories as cited in the Collegiate National Point System.
5. The applicant must receive an above average character reference from his/her chapter sponsor or other dance professor.
6. The applicant must attain a GPA of at least 3.5 overall in dance courses only at the time of induction.
Requirements for graduating with NHSDA National Honors:
The student must meet all the criteria above for Induction, and thereafter:
1. Earn an additional 15 points, for a total of 60 cumulative points, of approved activities in three strands (Artistic Merit, Leadership, and Academic Achievement) in 6 of 10 categories, as cited in the Collegiate National Point System during his/her senior or graduation year.
2. Maintain a GPA of at least 3.5 overall in dance courses only at the time of graduation.
3. Maintain a current student membership in NDEO.
4. Receive an above average character reference from his/her chapter sponsor or other dance professor.
5. Submit a 500-1,000 word essay to their NHSDA Chapter Sponsor that describes their career goals and how the NHSDA and NDEO have impacted their career and life choices, or an equivalent essay (senior thesis projects, Capstone exit writing, etc.).
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