Division of Dance
Website: http://www.twu.edu/dance/
Division Head: Jordan Fuchs, Professor
Location: DGL 206
Phone: 940-898-2085
Fax: 940-898-2098
E-mail: dance@twu.edu
Graduate Degrees Offered
The graduate degree programs in dance are designed to prepare liberally-educated dance professionals for leadership opportunities as artists, educators, and scholars. Emphasizing the intersection of experiential and theoretical learning, the focus is on in-depth and rigorous study of dance in a variety of artistic and cultural contexts. Consistent with the values of a liberal arts education and aesthetic inquiry in both art-making and research and writing, the course work seeks to develop competency and creativity in various modes of communication, including kinesthetic, written, verbal, and visual. Appropriate to the particular degree program, students develop innovative methodological and pedagogical strategies relative to their areas of dance-making and research interests.
The Master of Arts in Dance degree program develops a broad knowledge of the discipline and is concerned with the intersections of theory and practice in the context of artistic, cultural, and educational praxis in dance. Students interested in educational and arts leadership may elect to address issues related to the role and significance of dance in education, the place of dance in society, and the development of personal pedagogical philosophies. Students interested in research and writing may choose to emphasize coursework designed to develop the knowledge and research skills necessary to undertake independent research in specialized areas of interest.
The Master of Fine Arts in Dance program provides students with opportunities to acquire and develop the skills and knowledge necessary to participate significantly in the field of contemporary dance. Through the development, implementation, and expansion of individual artistic vision and goals, the program prepares students to excel in critical engagement while exploring innovative formats, venues, and creative processes as choreographers, performers, researchers/writers, and arts leaders. The M.F.A. program is a 3-year program of study focused on developing an understanding of contemporary dance practices that values individual somatic engagement and diverse approaches to implementing artistic visions in shifting professional landscapes, including the ability to use and adapt a variety of technologies in ways that will expand notions of where and how to reach dance audiences.
The Doctor of Philosophy in Dance program is a low-residency cohort program designed for established professionals in the field of dance who are ready to pursue a broadly articulated research agenda. Focusing on theorizing artistic practice, the coursework provides a challenging research-intensive program of study examining and questioning the nature of dance praxis in philosophical, cultural, and historical contexts. Emphasizing an array of mixed research methodologies, the program is designed to prepare doctoral candidates to engage in independent research that will lead to contributions of new knowledge to the field of dance. Students are accepted to the Ph.D. program every other year to begin study in the summers of even years. On-campus residencies consist of summer intensives, as well as one-week campus visits during the Fall and Spring semesters. Students will be continually engaged in their coursework throughout each semester and will work closely with faculty and their doctoral colleagues in the program. The residential intensives, interwoven with web-based interactions, will facilitate scholarly discourse intended to connect the exploration of artistic practice and pedagogy with students’ professional and research interests.
Texas Woman’s University Division of Dance is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Dance.
Minors
The requirements for a minor in dance at the master’s level and doctoral level are determined in consultation with the student’s advisory committee and a member of the graduate faculty in dance. A minor for a master’s degree requires a minimum of 6 semester credit hours, and a minor for a doctoral degree requires a minimum of 12 semester credit hours.
Faculty
Courses
Contact hours identified in the course descriptions are based on a 15-week term. Students who enroll in Summer or mini-terms are expected to meet the same total number of contact hours as a 15-week term.
DNCE 5023. Methods of Research in Dance. The role and tools of research in dance. Types of strategies and investigative techniques with focus on qualitative research. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
DNCE 5101. Dance Performance. Participation in the choreographic, performance, and/or production aspects of dance concerts. May be repeated for additional credit. Prerequisite: Dance major or permission of instructor. Four studio hours a week. Credit: One hour.
DNCE 5211. Workshop in Dance. Enrichment experiences in dance with distinguished guest artists: technique, performance, or choreography. May be repeated for additional credit. Credit: One hours.
DNCE 5223. Historical and Cultural Study of Dance. Role of mimesis, spirituality, rebellion, and creativity in dance performance and choreography within specific historical periods and cultures and the relationship to the artistic practice of contemporary dance artists. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
DNCE 5232. Improvisation and Spontaneous Choreography. Methods of spontaneous choreography and improvisational practices applied as research for contemporary dance performance and emergent movement forms. Co-requisite: Concurrent enrollment in ballet, modern, or urban global technique class. Four and one-half studio hours a week. Credit: Two hours.
DNCE 5233. Workshop in Dance. Enrichment experiences in dance with distinguished guest artists: technique, performance, or choreography. May be repeated for additional credit. Credit: Three hours.
DNCE 5243. Pedagogical Foundations for Dance. Analysis of dance genres and application of learning theories and teaching models to dance technique. Examination of concepts related to the development of the technically proficient and artistically expressive dancer. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
DNCE 5252. Dance Choreography: Art of Remembering. Methods of choreographic practice applied as research for contemporary dance performance and emergent movement forms. Four and one-half studio hours a week. Credit: Two hours.
DNCE 5253. Artistic Process. Aesthetic and theoretical issues related to the nature of art making in dance and educating the dance artist: emphasis on the person, process, and product. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
DNCE 5262. Dance in Alternative Venues. Methods of choreographic practice in alternative venues such as site dance and video dance applied as research for contemporary dance performance and emergent movement forms. Four and one-half studio hours a week. Credit: Two hours.
DNCE 5272. Dance Artist as Entrepreneur: Grant Writing and Media Marketing. Methods for documenting, communicating, and producing one's creative vision in the professional dance field. Two lecture hours a week. Credit: Two hours.
DNCE 5281. Advanced Ballet Technique I. Advanced technique class in ballet. May be repeated once for additional credit. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Three studio hours a week. Credit: One hour.
DNCE 5291. Advanced Ballet Technique II. Advanced technique class in ballet continuing from Advanced Ballet I. May be repeated once for additional credit. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Three studio hours a week. Credit: One hour.
DNCE 5301. Techniques in Contemporary Dance I. Advanced technique in modern dance. May be repeated once for additional credit. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Four and one-half studio hours a week. Credit: One hour.
DNCE 5311. Techniques in Contemporary Dance II. Advanced technique in modern dance continuing from DNCE 5301. May be repeated once for additional credit. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Four and one-half studio hours a week. Credit: One hour.
DNCE 5433. Contemporary Contexts of Dance. Current aesthetics in dance from a theoretical perspective and the philosophical, artistic, pedagogical, and cultural contexts in which dance as an art form finds meaning. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
DNCE 5443. Independent Dance Making Project. Conceptualizing, directing, and producing complete choreographic works relevant to emerging professional and artistic goals for formal and informal venues. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Co-requisite: Concurrent enrollment in ballet, modern, or urban global technique class. May be repeated. Six studio hours a week. Credit: Two hours.
DNCE 5453. Culminating Project I: Project Proposal. Individual creation of a dance proposal conceptualizing a creative project of professional interest through praxis-based theoretical research in preparation for the Culminating Project II. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Credit: Three hours.
DNCE 5463. Culminating Project II: Rehearsal and Performance. Dance project utilizing the content of the Culminating Project I Proposal as a plan for choreographing, rehearsing, and producing a culminating choreographic work. Prerequisite: Permission of Instructor. Credit: Three hours.
DNCE 5903. Special Topics. Specially scheduled course on topic of current interest. May be repeated for additional credit. Lecture, or lecture and laboratory. Credit: Three hours.
DNCE 5911. Independent Study. Individual research leading to the solution of a problem of professional interest and significance. May be repeated for additional credit. Credit: One hour.
DNCE 5913. Independent Study. Individual research leading to the solution of a problem of professional interest and significance. May be repeated for additional credit. Credit: Three hours.
DNCE 5933. Internship. Supervised practical experience in an agency or organization related to the intellectual and career interests of students. Ten practicum hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
DNCE 5973. Professional Paper. Research and preparation of a scholarly paper on a topic of interest and value to the student. May be repeated, but only three hours may apply on degree. Credit: Three hours.
DNCE 5983. Thesis. Prerequisite: DNCE 5023. Credit: Three hours.
DNCE 5993. Thesis. Prerequisite: DNCE 5983. Credit: Three hours.
DNCE 6023. Critical Analysis of Professional Literature. A thorough study and critical analysis of the literature in the student's major and/or minor areas of specialization; emphasis on theory analysis and theory development. May be repeated for additional credit. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
DNCE 6103. Choreographies of Writing. Overview and practice of diverse writing methods for describing and analyzing dance in order to develop an approach to writing that responds to and furthers a particular choreographic argument and style. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
DNCE 6113. Seminar. Informal, small group study of special problems or current issues in dance. May be repeated for additional credit. Three seminar hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
DNCE 6203. Scholarly Inquiry for Dance. Complex theoretical ideas related to the practice of dance through the analysis of various authors in the fields of cultural and critical theory. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
DNCE 6213. Current Issues in Historical Inquiry in Dance. How dance practice over time and across cultures has shaped the presentation of dance in contemporary society; the role of movement appropriation, dance reconstruction, and current theories of performance and gender. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing or permission of instructor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
DNCE 6303. Research Methodologies for Dance. Diverse research methodologies emphasizing qualitative research in the arts. Development of techniques for data collection emerging from research purpose statements, research questions, and student's research interests. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
DNCE 6323. Philosophical Inquiry in Dance. Aesthetic inquiry as a process for examining ontological and epistemological issues in dance with a focus on metaphoric process, hermeneutics, critical theory, and the presence of physicality in philosophical writing. Prerequisite: Doctoral standing or permission of instructor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
DNCE 6403. Research Data Collection and Analysis for Dance. Continuation of research data collection skills developed in DNCE 6303 with an emphasis on differing data analysis tools and techniques specific to qualitative research methodologies and selected mixed methods in the arts and performance. Prerequisites: DNCE 6303 and permission of instructor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
DNCE 6413. Integration of Theory and Research in Dance. Demonstration of independent ability to analyze, synthesize, and critically evaluate theory and research in dance as a foundation for the literature review for future dissertation research. Prerequisite: Completion of 30 credit hours in the doctoral program. Prerequisite: Completion of 30 hours in the doctoral program. Three seminar hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
DNCE 6503. Research Colloquium. Oral and visual presentation summarizing student's areas of research interests, intended methodology, and importance of research to the field of dance. Preparation of doctoral students to present scholarship in professional dance organizations. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
DNCE 6903. Special Topics. Specially scheduled course on topic of current interest. May be repeated for additional credit. Lecture, or lecture and laboratory. Credit: Three hours.
DNCE 6911. Independent Study. Individual research leading to the solution of a problem of professional interest and significance. May be repeated for additional credit. Prerequisite: DNCE 5023. Credit: One hour.
DNCE 6913. Independent Study. Individual research leading to the solution of a problem of professional interest and significance. May be repeated for additional credit. Prerequisite: DNCE 5023. Credit: Three hours.
DNCE 6983. Dissertation. Prerequisite: Successful completion of the Qualifying Examinations. Credit: Three hours.
DNCE 6993. Dissertation. Prerequisite: DNCE 6983. Credit: Three hours.
