2014-2015 University Catalog 
  
  Catalog Home
  General Information
  Courses
  Programs of Study
  Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Programs
  Mason Core
  INTO Mason
  University Honors
  College of Education and Human Development
  College of Health and Human Services
  College of Humanities and Social Sciences
  College of Science
  College of Visual and Performing Arts
  Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study
  School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution
  School of Law
  School of Management (now School of Business)
  School of Public Policy (now School of Policy, Government, and International Affairs)
  Volgenau School of Engineering
  Applied Science, BAS
HELP
2014-2015 University Catalog

Dance, BA

Banner Code: AR-BA-DANC

Performing Arts Building, Room A300
Phone: 703-993-1114
Web: dance.gmu.edu

Faculty

Susan Shields, Director

Professors: Lepore, Miller, Shields (director)

Associate Professors: Joyce, Price, Studd

Assistant Professor: d’Amboise (Heritage Professor), Reedy

Adjunct Faculty: Clark, Crandall, Cronmiller, Dinapoli, Goodson, Horrigan, Lee, Nuamah, Schock, Summerall, Upchurch, Urgelles, Windom

Undergraduate Program

The BA degree is a 120-credit general program of dance study within a liberal arts degree framework. Entrance to the program is by audition. Information about the audition process, including dates and audition application, can be found on the school web page, dance.gmu.edu, or by calling the dance office at 703-993-1114. Admission to the university is determined by the Admissions Office.

Course Work

The School of Dance offers all course work designated DANC in the Courses  section of this catalog.

Writing-Intensive Requirement

The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated “writing intensive” in their major at the 300-level or above. Students in the BFA and BA in dance fulfill this requirement by successfully completing DANC 390  or DANC 391 .

Academic Policies

Please see College of Visual and Performing Arts  for college academic policies.

Certification to Teach

This program is approved by the Virginia State Department of Education and administered through the College of Education and Human Development, which is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). To be considered for licensure in dance education, a dance major at George Mason must successfully complete requirements for a BA or BFA in dance. In addition, students must meet the following requirements:

  • Be formally accepted into the program by the Dance Education Committee. Before requesting an interview with the committee, students must complete 45 to 60 credits with a GPA of 2.80 or higher, and submit passing scores for the Praxis Core tests (Reading, Writing, Mathematics). It is strongly recommended that students take the Praxis Core tests as soon as they have completed ENGH 302 , a course in literature, and a course in mathematics.
  • Earn no grade lower than a C in dance (see major curriculum) and in professional education courses (EDUC 301 , EDUC 302 , EDRD 300 , DANC 453 , DANC 454 ).
  • Maintain an overall GPA of 2.80 or higher in all dance course work at Mason and at all other institutions of higher learning combined.
  • As dance elective options, complete DANC 118 - World Dance , DANC 453 - Teaching Creative Movement , and DANC 131 - Beginning Jazz Technique  or DANC 231 - Intermediate Jazz Technique .
  • With committee approval, register for and complete EDUC 301 , EDUC 302 , and EDRD 300 .
  • After completing all required course work and with committee approval, submit passing scores on the VLCA and complete a full-time 15-week student teaching internship (DANC 455 ) that includes experiences at both elementary and middle or secondary levels.

This course of study will require a post-baccalaureate semester.

Degree Requirements

Mason Core (34 credits)

Foundation

Written Communication:

Nonnative speakers of English with limited proficiency in the language may substitute ENGH 100 for ENGH 101.  Students must attain a minimum grade of C in ENGH 100 or 101, as well as in 302, to fulfill degree requirements.

Foundation Requirements:
  • Oral communication Credits: 3
  • Quantitative reasoning Credits: 3
  • Information technology Credits: 3

Core Requirements

  • Literature Credits: 3
  • Natural science (must include a laboratory science) Credits: 7
  • Western civilization Credits: 3
  • Social science Credits: 3

Synthesis Credits: 3

Dance Major Core (56 credits)

Dance Electives (9-10 credits)

Choose from the following:

Note:

Additional technique and performance credits beyond those required in the major core may be applied to dance electives

Electives (30 credits)

BA students must use general electives to either complete a minor, double major or double degree outside their primary field of study (15-20 credits) or demonstrate intermediate-level proficiency in one foreign language (0-9 credits)*.  After fulfilling one of these options, the remaining general electives may be taken inside or outside of the school.  All students are required to take a minimum of 45 credits of upper-division courses (300 and 400 level),

*See College of Visual and Performing Arts  for foreign language requirement.

Total: 120 credits