University of Utah
Modern Dance
DANC Course Descriptions
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University of Utah

General Catalog 2005-2006
Posted Feb 26, 2005

Disclaimer: The course information below is current as of Feb 26, 2005, is intended for informational purposes only, and does not constitute a legal contract between the University of Utah and any person or entity.

This Web document is updated twice a year, on or about the first day of registration for Fall and Spring semesters.


1010  Dance in Culture (3) Fulfills Diversity & Fine Arts Exploration.
   This course is designed for nonmajors, and is designated as a Fine Arts Foundation course. The course provides an introduction to and fundamental understanding of dance as a means of cultural expression.

1020  Intermediate Modern Dance (1)
   This course is designed for non-majors with beginning experience in modern dance technique. The course provides continued instruction in technical and creative aspects of modern dance.Modern dance class for nonmajors.

1023  Dance Composition for Nonmajors (3) Fulfills Fine Arts Exploration.
   This course is designed for nonmajors to provide structured learning and experience with group improvisation and dance composition. Fundamental concepts of dance composition and choreography are explored.

1030  Advanced Modern Dance (2)
   This class is designed for nonmajors with intermediate to advanced experience in modern dance technique. Applications of technical and expressive qualities in dance are emphasized.

1075  Dance: A Creative Process (3) Fulfills Fine Arts Exploration.
   This course accesses aspects of the creative process through the medium of movement and dance. Nonmajor students explore different dance forms and modes of creativity used in artistic discovery.

1110  Conditioning for Dancers (1)
   This course is designed for dance majors to provide both remedial and specialized physical conditioning. The course integrates practical applications of physical conditioning to dance technique.

1111  Movement Fundamentals (1)
   This course provides dance majors with a thorough introduction of movement fundamentals. The course focuses on apparatus conditioning and Bartenieff Movement Fundamentals.

1200  Modern Dance I (1)
   This course is designed to introduce nonmajors to the fundamentals of modern dance technique. Students receive technical and creative instruction derived from modern dance forms.

1260  Modern Dance Technique for Ballet Majors (2)
   This course is offered to dance majors in the Ballet Department. The course provides exposure to and experience with basic principles of modern dance technique.

1270  Modern Dance Technique for Ballet Majors (2)
   This course is offered to dance majors in the Ballet Department. The course provides exposure to and experience with basic principles of modern dance technique.

1310  Modern Dance Technique and Theory: First Year (3)
   This course is designed for First Year modern dance majors to provide opportunities for understanding and mastery of fundamental technical facility. Students receive instruction in principles of alignment, rhythmic phrasing and performance skills.

1320  Modern Dance Technique and Theory: First Year (3)
   This course continues to focus on fundamental technical facility for First Year modern dance majors. Focus builds upon principles of alignment, rhythmic phrasing and performance skills.

1410  Beginning Improvisation (2) Co-requisite: DANC 1310.
   This course is an introduction into improvisation and the elements of dance composition. Students develop creative invention, spontaneity, confidence in self-expression, concentration and movement range and possibilities.

1420  Modern Dance Workshop: First Year (2) Prerequisite: DANC 1410. Co-requisite: DANC 1320.
   This course provides structured studies in the basic elements of dance composition. Fundamental concepts of craft and form in choreography are explored.

1640  Elements of Music (2)
   This course is an introduction to fundamentals, forms, and styles of music with an emphasis on the specific relationship to dance. (An exemption test may be taken by permission of instructor).

1710  Introduction to Dance (1)
   This course provides an introduction to issues, opportunities and concerns within dance as a profession. Course content is taken from contemporary topics and evolving issues from the dance field.

2310  Modern Dance Technique and Theory: Second Year (3)
   This course provides dance majors with continued opportunities for mastery of technical facility. Principles of alignment, connectivity and expression are emphasized.

2320  Modern Dance Technique and Theory: Second Year (3)
   This course continues to focus on fundamental technical facility, qualitative expression, and bodily connectivity. Emphasis is placed upon principles of alignment and dynamic expression in movement.

2410  Modern Dance Workshop: Second Year (2) Prerequisite: DANC 1420. Co-requisite: DANC 2310.
   This course offers extended studies in basic elements of dance composition and improvisation with a focus on dance in relationship to other art forms. Emphasis is placed on building both a verbal and movement vocabulary that embraces all of the arts.

2420  Modern Dance Workshop: Second Year (2) Prerequisite: DANC 2410. Co-requisite: DANC 2320.
   This course continues exploration of choreography and the creative process. Students expand their understanding of dance composition, identify individual areas of artistic interest, and increase ability to take artistic risks inside of dance making.

2640  Rhythmic Analysis/Percussion Accompaniment (2) Prerequisite: DANC 1640.
   This course provides basic understanding and experience with rhythmic forms and analysis in relation to dance. The course also emphasizes the practical use of percussion as accompaniment for dance.

3260  Dance Production (2) Cross listed as BALLE 3260.
   This course is designed for dance majors during the junior year of study. The course covers the theory of lighting for dance production and prepares students for a practicum in lighting a specific dance work.

3261  Costume/Lighting Practicum (2)
   This course provides an overview of the theory of costume design for dance, including formal elements of the visual arts and design. The course includes an integration of design concepts with a practical application of lighting theory.

3310  Modern Dance Technique and Theory: Third Year (3)
   This course provides dance majors with continued opportunities for mastery of technical facility. Principles of alignment, bodily connectivity and performance qualities are emphasized as students are challenged with increasingly complex movement material.

3320  Modern Dance Technique and Theory: Third Year (3)
   This course continues to focus on mastery of technical facility, qualitative expression, and bodily connectivity. Students build technical and performance skills through exposure to increasingly complex movement material.

3410  Advanced Dance Improvisation (1)
   This course is designed to offer advanced experience with improvisational studies, including learning to design and lead improvisation activities. Students develop individual expression and movement creation through improvisational structures, practice, and forms.

3610  Music Resources in Choreography (2) Prerequisite: DANC 2640.
   This course is designed to provide dance majors with familiarity and accessibility to various musical styles and forms as resources for choreography. Practical applications of music as accompaniment for dance are offered through compositional studies and creation of sound scores for choreography.

3715  Fine Arts Teaching Methods: Dance (2)
   This course familiarizes elementary education majors with effective methods for integrating dance into the elementary school curriculum. Students design and implement dance lessons for elementary age students that promote creative exploration and discovery. Must also register for THEAT 3715.

3951  Independent Study (1 to 3)
   This course is available to undergraduate dance majors desiring academic credit for a relevant course or experience outside of the departmental undergraduate curriculum. Students must seek faculty approval for independent study.

3961  Special Topics (1 to 5)
   This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of various folk dances. Emphasis is placed upon cultural exploration, styling, rhythmic accuracy, and phrasing.

4310  Modern Dance Technique and Theory: Fourth Year (3)
   This course provides advanced dance majors with further opportunities for mastery of technical facility and performance skills. Performance quality, individual expression, and technical ability are emphasized.

4320  Modern Dance Technique and Theory: Fourth Year (3)
   This course continues to provide advanced dance majors with opportunities for mastery of technical facility and performance skill. Performance quality, individual expression, and technical ability are emphasized.

4366  Modern Dance Repertory (2)
   This course is designed to expose dance majors to the process of learning and performing repertory dance works. Students learn repertory works from noted choreographers in the dance profession.

4388  Dance Performance (1 to 6) Prerequisite: By audition only.
   This course is designed for modern dance majors to provide a formal performing experience in the university setting. Students comprise Performing Dance Company and receive performance experience working with faculty and guest choreographers.

4420  Service-Learning Modern Dance (1 to 3)
   This course is designed for undergraduate dance majors to explore dance as a viable form of service learning. The course addresses community service, leadership, and volunteerism in modern dance.

4460  Senior Capstone I (2) Prerequisite: DANC Senior status.
   This course is designed to prepare students for the planning of senior concert. The course also serves as preparation to pursue a career in dance, covering issues such as job search, career ethics, and alternative and related careers.

4461  Senior Capstone II (2) Prerequisite: DANC 4460.
   This course is designed to coordinate choreography, lighting, costuming, and production of dances for senior concert. The course continues to focus on preparation for careers in dance.

4510  Dance Kinesiology I (2)
   Meets with DANCE 6510. This course provides a study of anatomy and kinesiology with a specific focus on muscular analysis of dance actions. The course prepares the student to understand basic kinesiological analysis and fundamental concepts of somatic inquiry.

4511  Dance Kinesiology II (2) Prerequisite: DANC 4510.
   Meets with DANCE 6511. Continued Kinesiological analysis of dance activities.

4571  Movement in Culture (3) Fulfills Upper Division Communication/Writing.
   This course is designed to examine human movement as a distinguishing identifier of culture throughout history. The course focuses on universal functions of human movement and the diverse expression of those functions from early tribal and ancient to medieval cultures.

4711  Dance History (3) Fulfills Upper Division Communication/Writing.
   This course is a survey of dance history derived from Western civilization from the Renaissance to Contemporary periods. Students examine the role of movement, dance, and the arts in philosophical, cultural, and historical context.

4850  Teaching Methods in Children's Dance (4)
   This course provides an analysis of the materials, methods, and practice in teaching children's dance. Pedagogical and theoretical foundations are emphasized as students form practical applications of course material.

4851  Modern Dance Teaching Methods (4)
   This course is designed to analyze the principles, methods, philosophy, materials, and practice of teaching modern dance at the secondary level. Emphasis is placed on theoretical and practical applications of teaching modern dance in the high school setting.

4875  Contemporary Views (3)
   This course explores the aesthetic basis for current trends in dance as related to art, music, and literature. The course provides the opportunity for students to examine contemporary dance within a philosophical framework.

4999  Honors Thesis/Project (3)
   This course is designed for students in the Honors Program working on an Honors degree. The course serves as an opportunity for Honors dance majors to complete a thesis or project toward the completion of an Honors degree.

5111  Introduction to Laban Movement Analysis (2)
   This course provides an introduction to the theoretical system for movement description known as Laban Movement Analysis. The course addresses the study of movement as a central element among diverse fields of study.

6110  Graduate Apparatus Conditioning (1 to 3)
   This course is designed for modern dance graduates to provide specialized physical conditioning via apparatus training. The course integrates practical applications of apparatus conditioning to strength building and dance technique.

6310  Beginning Graduate Technique (3)
   This course provides modern dance graduate students with opportunities for mastery of technical facility. Principles of alignment, connectivity and expression are emphasized.

6311  Intermediate Graduate Technique (3)
   This course provides graduate students with continued opportunities for mastery of technical facility. Principles of alignment, bodily connectivity and performance qualities are emphasized as students are challenged with increasingly complex movement material.

6320  Beginning Graduate Technique and Theory (3)
   This course continues to focus on fundamental technical facility, qualitative expression, and bodily connectivity. Emphasis is placed upon principles of alignment and dynamic expression in movement.

6321  Intermediate Graduate Technique and Theory (3)
   This course continues to focus on mastery of technical facility, qualitative expression, and bodily connectivity. Students build technical and performance skills through exposure to increasingly complex movement material.

6366  Graduate Repertory (2)
   This course is designed for graduate students to build experience with learning and performing repertory dance works. Students learn repertory works from noted choreographers in the dance profession.

6388  Dance Performance (1 to 6) Prerequisite: By audition only.
   This course is designed for modern dance graduate students to provide a formal performing experience in the university setting. Students comprise Performing Dance Company and receive performance experience working with faculty and guest choreographers.

6410  Graduate Dance Workshop I (3)
   This course is designed to explore advanced improvisational and choreographic integration of basic dance concepts. The course follows a workshop format, incorporating composition and improvisation studies, reading, writing, and group discussion of course material.

6420  Graduate Dance Workshop II (3)
   This course continues to explore advanced improvisational and choreographic integration of basic dance concepts. The course follows a workshop format, incorporating composition and improvisation studies, written assignments, and group discussion of course material.

6510  Graduate Dance Kinesiology I (2)
   Meets with DANCE 4510. This course provides an examination and application of research design and pedagogical principles as they apply to dance kinesiology. The course involves individual teaching/research practicum.

6511  Grad Dance Kinesiology II (2) Prerequisite: DANC 6510.
   Meets with DANCE 4511. Continued Kinesiological analysis of dance activities.

6571  Movement in Culture (3)
   This course is designed to examine human movement as a distinguishing identifier of culture throughout history. The course focuses on universal functions of human movement and the diverse expression of those functions from early tribal and ancient to medieval cultures.

6711  Dance History (3)
   This course is a survey of dance history derived from Western civilization from the Renaissance to Contemporary periods. Students examine the role of movement, dance, and the arts in philosophical, cultural, and historical context.

6740  Problems in Historical Research (1 to 5)
   This course is designed for graduate students to explore specific problems in dance history. The course encourages specialized investigation and requires faculty approval of research project.

6851  Research Design (3)
   This seminar is designed to introduce graduate students to various theoretical and methodological orientations in research. The course examines theoretical orientations/methodological approaches to dance/art research, and evaluates scholarly writing and creative work.

6852  Philosophy and Aesthetics (3)
   This seminar is designed for advanced inquiry in selected areas of dance philosophy and criticism. The course focuses on fundamental questions of values in relationship to the arts.

6853  Graduate Modern Dance Teaching Methods (3)
   Prereq.: DANCE 4851 or teaching experience. This course is designed to introduce graduate students to various philosophical, theoretical and methodological approaches to dance pedagogy for teaching at the college and university level. Content areas include technique, theory, composition, and improvisation.

6854  Dance Administration in Academe (3)
   This seminar is designed to introduce graduate students to the administration of dance in higher education. The course addresses administrative history, theory, and practice within a framework of contemporary issues in the discipline of dance.

6855  Advanced Principles of Teaching (1 to 2) Prerequisite: DANC 4851 and 6853.
   This course is designed to provide graduate teaching assistants with teaching experience and advanced analysis of teaching. The course addresses topics of syllabus preparation, grading, individual teaching styles, and specific issues related to teaching assignments.

6865  Projects Planning (1 to 3)
   This course is designed to facilitate completion of a projects plan to qualify students for advancement to candidacy. Course structure provides faculty guidance and feedback in the development of a projects plan for graduate thesis research.

6870  Virginia Tanner Teacher Workshop I (1 to 3)
   This workshop is designed for teachers of dance and for elementary and secondary teachers who wish to incorporate dance and art into their teaching curricula. The workshop offers learning and experience with established teaching methods for children's dance.

6871  Virginia Tanner Teacher Workshop II (1 to 3)
   This workshop is designed for teachers of dance and for elementary and secondary teachers with experience incorporating dance and art into their teaching curricula. The workshop offers advanced training with established teaching methods for children's dance.

6910  Graduate Projects (1 to 15)
   For nonthesis master's candidates.

6951  Independent Study (1 to 5)
   This course is available to graduate students desiring academic credit for a relevant course or experience outside of the departmental graduate curriculum. Faculty approval is required for independent study.

6961  Special Topics in Modern Dance (1 to 5)

6970  Thesis Research: Master's (1 to 12)
   This course is designated for tracking master level thesis work. Master's thesis candidates must be enrolled for at least 3 thesis research credits during the semester of thesis defense, and must accrue at least 6 thesis research credits to fulfill degree requirements.

6980  Faculty Consultation (3)

7312  Advanced Graduate Technique (3)
   This course provides advanced modern dance graduate students with further opportunities for mastery of technical facility and performance skills. Performance quality, individual expression, and technical ability are emphasized.

7320  Advanced Graduate Technique and Theory (3)
   This course continues to provide advanced modern dance graduate students with opportunities for mastery of technical facility and performance skills. Performance quality, individual expression, and technical ability are emphasized.

7491  Graduate Seminar: Dance and Community (3)
   This seminar is designed to introduce graduate students to the theory and practice of lecture-demonstration design. Issues of community service, leadership, and accessibility in modern dance are addressed.

7493  Graduate Seminar: Choreography and Diverse Media (3)
   This seminar presents the theory and practice of choreography in collaboration with production, music, video, text, and other media. Screenings, lectures, and hands-on experience provide a broad overview that serves the students as a springboard for further exploration.

7496  Graduate Seminar: Contemporary Trends (3)
   This seminar is designed to address theoretical and practical applications of teaching improvisation and composition. The course also introduces graduate students to the theory and practice of working with special populations in dance.

7510  Research Teaching Kinesiology (1 to 3)
   Prereq.: DANCE 6510. This course is designed for advanced kinesiology students. Course content is structured around special analytical and experimental projects pertaining to dance movement.

7581  Practicum in Dance Kinesiology (1 to 3) Prerequisite: DANC 5510 and 6510.
   This course is designed for advanced kinesiology students to facilitate individualized projects and/ or investigation of special topics in dance kinesiology. Content is structured by the student's interest in relation to practical application of dance kinesiology theory.

7695  Graduate Seminar: Dancing Bodies (3)
   This seminar examines dance as a cultural behavior. The course uses theoretical frameworks and diverse examples to discern the relationships between art-makers and their cultural and historical contexts.

7782  Practicum in Dance History (1 to 3) Prerequisite: DANC 6711.
   This course is designed for the advanced dance history student to facilitate individualized projects and/or investigation of special topics in dance history. Course content is directed by the student's interest in relation to dance history theory.

7883  Practicum in Dance Education (1 to 3) Prerequisite: DANC 6853.
   This course is designed for the advanced dance education student to facilitate individualized projects and/or investigation of special topics in dance education. Course content is directed by the student's interest in relation to dance education theories.


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