Dance
Web: dance.gmu.edu
Linda G. Miller, Chair
Performing Arts Building, A300
703-993-1114
Faculty
Professor: Miller (chair)
Associate Professors: Carbonneau, Lepore, Studd
Assistant Professors: O'Toole, Shields
Visiting Assistant Professor: Joyce, Price (Associate Chair)
Instructor: Willis
Adjuncts: Jarvie, Maeshiba
Course Work
The Department of Dance offers all course work designated DANC in the
"Course Descriptions" chapter of this catalog.
Undergraduate Programs
The Dance Department offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and a Bachelor
of Arts in Dance. Entrance to all dance degree programs is by audition.
Information about the audition process, including dates and audition application,
can be found on the department web page (dance.gmu.edu) or by contacting
the department office at (703-993-1114. Admission to the university is
determined by the Admissions Office.
Writing-Intensive Requirement
The university requires all students to complete at least one course
designated "writing intensive" in their majors at the 300-level
or above. Students in the B.F.A. and B.A. in dance programs fulfill this
requirement by successfully completing DANC 390 or 391.
Virginia Licensure (Certification) to Teach
Pending approval of the Virginia State Department of Education
This program is being developed in collaboration with the Graduate School
of Education, which is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation
of Teacher Education (NCATE).
To be considered for licensure in dance education, a student must successfully
complete the requirements for a B.A. or B.F.A. in Dance and in addition:
1. Be formally accepted into the dance education program by
the departmental Dance Education Committee. Before requesting an interview
with the Committee, a student must: complete 45 60 credit hours
with a G.P.A. of 2.80 or higher; and submit passing scores for the Praxis
I tests (Reading Writing, Mathematics). It is strongly recommended
that students take the Praxis I tests as soon as ENGL 302 and a course
in literature and a course in mathematics have been completed.
2. Earn no grade lower than a C in dance and in professional education
courses
3. Maintain an overall GPA of 2.800 or higher in all coursework in
dance at George Mason University and all other institutions of higher
learning combined
4. Complete World Dance (DANC118), Teaching Creative Movement (DANC453),
and Jazz (DANC131 or 231)
5. With committee approval, register for and complete EDUC 300, EDUC
302 and EDRG 300
6. With committee approval, complete a full time, 15 week student teaching
internship (DANC455) which includes experiences at both elementary and
middle or secondary levels.
For some students this course of study will require a post-baccalaureate
year. Students may design a four-year plan, including summer study, with
the assistance of an advisor in the Dance Department.
Dance, B.F.A.
Because of the professional nature of the B.F.A. degree, the program
requires completion of 126 credits of course work. The B.F.A. in Dance
is a performance-oriented program designed to prepare students professionally
as performers, choreographers, and teachers, as well as to prepare them
for graduate study. Students in this program demonstrate significant technical
mastery and devote a large portion of their college study to an intensive
and comprehensive dance curriculum.
The B.F.A. degree offers a general modern dance major that allows for
concentrated study in performance, choreography, or teaching. Technical
training includes ballet, jazz, world dance forms, and a strong emphasis
on modern dance. Entrance into the B.F.A. program is by audition during
the candidate's freshman year. Student progress in the B.F.A. program
is assessed annually.
Degree Requirements
| |
Credits |
| General Education |
46 |
| Foundation Requirements |
|
| Written communication |
|
| ENGL 101 and ENGL 302 |
6 |
| Non-native speakers of English with limited proficiency
in the language may substitute ENGL 100 for ENGL 101. A student must
attain a minimum grade of C to have ENGL 100 or 101, and 302 fulfill
degree requirements. |
|
| Oral communication (see DANC 454) |
|
| Quantitative reasoning |
3 |
| Information technology |
3 |
| Core Requirements |
|
| Literature |
3 |
| Arts |
9 |
| MUSI 101 |
(3) |
| AVT/ARTH |
(3) |
| THR 210 |
(3) |
| Natural science |
|
| (must include 1 laboratory science) |
7 |
| U. S. history |
3 |
| Western civilization |
3 |
| Global understanding |
3 |
| Social science |
3 |
| Synthesis Requirement |
3 |
| Dance Major Core |
77 |
| DANC 114 Rhythmic Analysis and |
|
| Music Resources for Dance |
3 |
| DANC 150 Dance Improvisation |
3 |
| DANC 170 Introduction to Dance Production |
1 |
| DANC 210 Dynamic Alignment |
3 |
| DANC 251 Dance Composition I |
3 |
| DANC 252 Dance Composition II |
3 |
| DANC 270 Dance Production Lab |
1 |
| DANC 325/425 Int./Adv. Modern Dance |
18 |
| DANC 345/445 Int./Adv. Ballet |
9 |
| DANC 360 Choreography |
3 |
| DANC 362 Directed Choreography |
1 |
| DANC 370 Dance Performance |
4 |
| DANC 372 Advanced Dance Production |
1 |
| DANC 390 Dance History: Pre-20th Century |
3 |
| DANC 391 Dance History: 20th Century |
3 |
| DANC 454 Teaching Principles of Modern Dance |
3 |
| DANC 480 Introduction To Laban Movement |
|
| Analysis |
3 |
| Dance Electives |
12 |
Chosen from:
- DANC 118 World Dance
- DANC 120 Special Topics in Dance
- DANC 131, 231 Beginning/Intermediate Jazz Technique
- DANC 161 Beginning Tap Dance
- DANC 225 Beginning Intermediate Modern Dance
- DANC 245 Beginning Intermediate Ballet
- DANC 314 Music Accompaniment for Dance
- DANC 325 Intermediate Modern Dance
- DANC 326 Dance Performance Practicum
- DANC 330 Dance/Movement Therapy I
- DANC 345 Intermediate Ballet
- DANC 350 Advanced Dance Improvisation
- DANC 362 Directed Choreography
- DANC 370 Dance Performance
- DANC 371 Residency Workshop
- DANC 399 Independent Study
- DANC 418 Global Dance Intensive
- DANC 420 Special Topics in Dance
- DANC 430 Dance/Movement Therapy II
- DANC 425 Advanced Modern Dance
- DANC 445 Advanced Ballet
- DANC 453 Teaching Creative Movement
- DANC 455 Teaching Practicum
|
|
| Electives |
3 |
| Total |
126 |
Dance, B.A.
The B.A. degree is a 120 credit general program of dance study within
a liberal arts degree framework.
Degree Requirements
| |
Credits |
| General Education |
64 |
| Foundation Requirements |
|
| Written communication |
|
| ENGL 101 and ENGL 302 |
6 |
| Non-native speakers of English with limited proficiency
in the language may substitute ENGL 100 for ENGL 101. Students must
attain a minimum grade of C to have ENGLÝ100 or 101, and 302 fulfill
degree requirements. |
|
| Oral communication |
3 |
| Quantitative reasoning |
3 |
| Information technology |
3 |
| Core Requirements |
|
| Literature |
6 |
| Arts |
6 |
| (3 credits from university general education ěArtsî
courses plus any MUSI, THR, AVT, or ARTH) |
|
| Natural science |
|
| (must include a laboratory science) |
7 |
| U. S. history |
3 |
| Western civilization |
3 |
| Global understanding |
3 |
| Social science |
3 |
| Philosophy or religion |
3 |
| Synthesis Requirement |
3 |
| Other |
|
| Foreign language |
0-12 |
| Elementary |
(6) |
| Intermediate |
(6) |
| A student must demonstrate intermediate-level proficiency
in one foreign language. This requirement is fulfilled by completion
of one foreign language course at the 202 level or higher, or by a
satisfactory score on an approved proficiency test. International
students should consult with the College of Visual and Performing
Arts about a possible waiver of this requirement. |
|
| Dance Major Core |
44 |
| DANC 114 Rhythmic Analysis |
3 |
| DANC 150 Dance Improvisation |
3 |
| DANC 170 Introduction to Dance Production |
1 |
| DANC 210 Dynamic Alignment |
3 |
| DANC 251 Dance Composition I |
3 |
| DANC 252 Dance Composition II |
3 |
| DANC 270 Dance Production |
1 |
| DANC 325/425 Int./Adv. Modern Dance |
6 |
| DANC 345/445 Int./Adv. Ballet |
3 |
| DANC 370 Dance Performance |
2 |
| DANC 390 Dance History: Pre-20th-Century |
3 |
| DANC 391 Dance History: 20th-Century |
3 |
| DANC 454 Teaching Principles of Modern Dance |
3 |
| DANC 480 Introduction to Laban |
|
| Movement Analysis |
3 |
| Dance Electives |
4 |
Chosen from:
- DANC 118 World Dance
- DANC 120 Special Topics in Dance
- DANC 131, 231 Beginning, Intermediate Jazz
- DANC 161 Beginning Tap
- DANC 225 Beginning Modern Dance
- DANC 245 Beginning Ballet
- DANC 314 Music Accompaniment for Dance
- DANC 325 Intermediate Modern Dance
- DANC 326 Dance Performance Practicum
- DANC 330 Dance/Movement Therapy I
- DANC 345 Intermediate Ballet
- DANC 350 Advanced Dance Improvisation
- DANC 362 Directed Choreography
- DANC 370 Dance Performance
- DANC 371 Residency Workshop
- DANC 399 Independent Study
- DANC 418 Global Dance Intensive
- DANC 420 Special Topics in Dance
- DANC 425 Advanced Modern Dance
- DANC 430 Dance/Movement Therapy II
- DANC 445 Advanced Ballet
- DANC 453 Teaching Creative Movement
- DANC 455 Teaching Practicum
|
|
| Electives |
12 |
| Total |
120 |
Minor in Dance Appreciation
The minor in Dance Appreciation (total 21 credits) offers students an
opportunity to study a variety of movement styles and understand dance
in its historical and cultural context. All minors must demonstrate a
basic level of training in modern dance and ballet.
| Required Courses |
|
| DANC 101 Dance Appreciation |
3 |
| DANC 118 World Dance |
3 |
| Select three of the following courses: |
|
| DANC 125 Beginning Modern Dance |
3 |
| DANC 225 Beginning Intermediate Modern Dance |
3 |
| DANC 145 Beginning Ballet |
3 |
| DANC 245 Beginning Intermediate Ballet |
3 |
| Select 6 credits from the following: |
|
| DANC 118 World Dance |
3 |
| DANC 131 Beginning Jazz |
3 |
| DANC 231 Intermediate Jazz |
3 |
| DANC 161 Beginning Tap |
3 |
| DANC 120 Special Topics |
1‚3 |
| DANC 420 Special Topics |
1‚3 |
The Minor in Dance Appreciation totals 21 credits. Substitutions may
be proposed to the Dance Faculty for approval.
Graduate Program
Dance, M.F.A.
The M.F.A. in Dance is a 60-credit program of study grounded in the modern
dance genre that emphasizes performance, choreography and teaching. Candidates
are expected to enter the program with advanced technical proficiency
in ballet or modern technique and competence in choreography exemplified
by a significant body of work. The curriculum allows for and encourages
apprenticeships and internships, experimentation in academic pursuits,
and the development of independent artistic projects.
Admission Requirements
In addition to fulfilling the admission requirements for graduate study,
the applicant must submit directly to the Dance Department a resume and
a 10-minute VHS video that illustrates the applicant's choreography. All
candidates must also demonstrate advanced technical proficiency through
an audition. Contact the Dance Department at 703-993-1114 for dates and
times.
All candidates must satisfy the following prerequisites: advanced dance
technique; improvisation; two semesters of dance composition; two semesters
of dance history; rhythmic analysis or music for dance; anatomy/kinesiology;
and dance production. Prerequisite courses may be completed before or
concurrent with graduate coursework and are usually fulfilled if the applicant
has earned a B.A. or B.F.A. in Dance.
Degree Requirements
All students are required to take the following:
| |
Credits |
| DANC 501 Graduate Dance Seminar |
3 |
| A total of 18 credits of advanced dance technique: |
|
| DANC 525 Advanced Modern Dance |
9‚12 |
| DANC 545 Advanced Ballet |
6‚9 |
| DANC 560 Advanced Choreography |
6 |
| DANC 570/571 Advanced Performance/Residency Workshop |
3 |
| DANC 580 Laban Movement Analysis |
3 |
| DANC 598 Philosophy and Aesthetics of Dance |
3 |
| DANC 615 Contemporary Trends |
3 |
| DANC 627 Advanced Teaching Seminar |
3 |
| DANC 680 Dance Management |
3 |
| DANC 790 Internship |
3 |
| DANC 799 Thesis |
6 |
| Electives |
6 |
| Total Credits |
60 |
The university does not guarantee the availability of these courses every
semester. Some are offered in alternating years. |
