Division of Dance
Website: http://www.twu.edu/dance
Chair: Jordan Fuchs, Professor
Location: DGL 206
Phone: 940-898-2085
Fax: 940-898-2098
E-mail: dance@twu.edu
The Division of Dance offers dance major programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. An undergraduate program may be selected in dance studies or dance education leading to a 6-12 teaching certificate in dance. Texas Woman’s University Division of Dance is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Dance.
Degree programs are designed to prepare dance artists, scholars, and/or educators who are well-grounded in the theories and contexts of dance as an art form and cultural expression. Integrating studio and theoretical studies, the various programs provide a comprehensive approach to dance learning which merges technique, performance, and choreography with in-depth study of dance in artistic, social, and cultural contexts.
The dance major core curriculum emphasizes contemporary modern dance, improvisation, pedagogy, choreography, dance in diverse cultures, history, and performance. Learning in these areas is enhanced by the study of movement analysis and somatic practices as well as ballet and urban /global dance practices.
Students are required to attend a placement audition to be considered as a dance major. In addition, it provides an opportunity for the faculty to determine each student’s placement level in dance practice courses. Students will progress through graded levels with each level representing one year of study. To ensure safe and sound preparation, a student progresses to the next level upon recommendation of the Dance Practice Committee. Transfer students must be placed at Level III (via placement audition) to meet the Ballet II competency by transfer credit. Except where indicated in the teacher certification program, each dance major must register for at least one dance practice course each semester. A grade of C or higher is necessary before enrolling in a succeeding course in the choreography sequence (DNCE 1191, DNCE 2202, DNCE 3292, DNCE 4182). A grade of C or higher must be earned in all courses required for the dance major. In each of the areas of Dance Practice, Choreography, and Performance, fifty percent (50%) of the semester credit hours must be taken at TWU.
Performing and choreographing are integral parts of the dance learning experience and students are encouraged to audition for the variety of performing opportunities offered each semester and to choreograph and present their works in the fall and spring choreography concerts. Dance majors who are performing or choreographing must register for an appropriate performance or choreography workshop course and must meet the conditions specified in the performance policy.
For additional information about the undergraduate dance major program please contact the Division of Dance.
Undergraduate Degrees Offered
Dance Courses for Non-Dance Major Students
Dance major courses, including upper-level ballet and modern dance courses, are open to non-major students if space is available; dance majors have priority for courses required for the major. Approval of the instructor or Department Chair is required. The Division of Dance offers the following courses open to all students.
| Code | Title | SCHs |
|---|---|---|
| Dance Physical Conditioning/Body Work | ||
| Dance and Globalization | ||
| Wellness through Movement | ||
| Introduction to Movement Analysis and Description | ||
| Gendered Images in Dance and Performance | ||
| Understanding the Arts: Dance | ||
| World of the Imagination in Art, Dance, and Film |
Admissions
All applicants must meet the general undergraduate admission requirements. The following degrees have additional secondary admission criteria:
Faculty
Asterisk (*) denotes Graduate Faculty status.
Courses
DNCE 1071. Introduction to Tap Dance. (TCCN DANC 1110) Introduction to tap dance technique for non-dance major beginning students. May be repeated once for credit. Three studio hours a week. Credit: One hour.
DNCE 1091. Dance Physical Conditioning/Body Work. Physical conditioning based on the theories of Joseph Pilates to increase strength, flexibility, range of motion, and coordination. May be repeated once for credit. Three studio hours a week. Credit: One hour.
DNCE 1101. Beginning Dance Performance. (TCCN DANC 1151) Beginning performance techniques. Participation in dance performances. May be repeated once for additional credit. Co-requisite: Must be registered concurrently in a ballet, modern, or urban global technique class. Four studio hours a week. Credit: One hour.
DNCE 1111. Elementary Ballet I. Beginning ballet technique, barre, center work, beginning enchainements; emphasis on alignment. May be repeated once for additional credit. Three studio hours a week. Credit: One hour.
DNCE 1121. Elementary Ballet II. Continuation of DNCE 1111. May be repeated once for additional credit. Three studio hours a week. Credit: One hour.
DNCE 1151. Elementary Modern Dance I. Beginning professional-level study. May be repeated once for additional credit. Four and one-half studio hours a week. Credit: One hour.
DNCE 1161. Elementary Modern Dance II. Continuation of DNCE 1151. Elementary techniques and combinations. May be repeated once for additional credit. Prerequisite DNCE 1151. Four and one-half studio hours a week. Credit: One hour.
DNCE 1171. Bartenieff Fundamentals of Movement. Application of Bartenieff Fundamentals of Movement to prepare the body for dance training by re-educating movement patterns. May be repeated once for additional credit. Three studio hours a week. Credit: One hour.
DNCE 1191. Improvisation. (TCCN DANC 1201) Exploration of movement and visual design through improvisation. Three studio hours a week. Credit: One hour.
DNCE 2101. Intermediate Dance Performance. (TCCN DANC 2151) Intermediate performance techniques. Participation in dance performances. May be repeated once for additional credit. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Co-requisite: Must be concurrently enrolled in a ballet, modern, or urban global technique class. Four studio hours a week. Credit: One hour.
DNCE 2111. Intermediate Ballet I. Basic technique class in ballet, barre, center work, basic enchainements. May be repeated once for additional credit. Prerequisites: DNCE 1111 and DNCE 1121. Three studio hours a week. Credit: One hour.
DNCE 2121. Intermediate Ballet II. Continuation and progression of Intermediate Ballet I. Introduction of pointe work. May be repeated once for additional credit. Prerequisite: DNCE 2111. Three studio hours a week. Credit: One hour.
DNCE 2143. Dance and Globalization. (TCCN DANC 1305) Critical examinations of world dance forms and their social, cultural, and political significance. Satisfies Creative Arts Core (50). Satisfies Global Perspectives graduation requirement. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
DNCE 2151. Intermediate Modern Dance I. Intermediate-level study in modern dance. May be repeated once for additional credit. Prerequisites: DNCE 1151 and DNCE 1161. Four and one-half studio hours a week. Credit: One hour.
DNCE 2161. Intermediate Modern Dance II. Continuation and progression of Intermediate Modern Dance I. May be repeated once for additional credit. Four and one-half studio hours a week. Credit: One hour.
DNCE 2162. Wellness through Movement. Wellness course utlizing studio explorations of movement and dance as related to health, somatics, creativity, social awareness and related contexts. Satisfies two hours Core Component Area Option (91). Two lecture hours a week. Credit: Two hours.
DNCE 2171. Beginning Urban and Global Dance Practices. (TCCN DANC 2247) Beginning technical proficiency, improvisation, and repertory in urban and global dance genres. May be repeated once for additional credit. Three studio hours a week. Credit: One hour.
DNCE 2183. Introduction to Movement Analysis and Description. Perception and description of movement, emphasis on the Laban Movement Analysis framework and its application to technique, performance, and choreography. Prerequisites: DNCE 1091 and Level II Technique. Two lecture and two studio hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
DNCE 2202. Dance Composition. (TCCN DANC 1301) Explorations of choreographic tools; emphasis on stage space, dynamic structure, rythmic pattern, props and chance composition. One lecture and three studio hours a week. Credit: Two hours.
DNCE 2383. Gendered Images in Dance and Performance. Survey of the development of gendered images in various dance genres and events embedded in U.S. culture; how movement expression inscribes markers of identity such as gender, race, ethnicity, and sexuality and their inscription on the body in performance. Satisfies three hours Creative Arts Core (50) or Component Area Option (90). Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
DNCE 2393. Understanding the Arts: Dance. (TCCN DANC 2303)Dance as a communicative and multicultural art form in society; introduction to the aesthetic and critical dimensions of viewing various idioms of theatrical, ethnological, and ritual dance. Satisfies Creative Arts Core (50). Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
DNCE 3101. Advanced Dance Performance. Advanced performance techniques. Participation in dance performances. May be repeated once for additional credit. Prerequisites: Permission of instructor. Co-requisite: Must be concurrently enrolled in a ballet, modern or, urban global technique class. Four studio hours a week. Credit: One hour.
DNCE 3111. Intermediate/Advanced Ballet I. Technique in ballet, pointe work. May be repeated once for additional credit. Prerequisite: DNCE 2121. Three studio hours a week. Credit: One hour.
DNCE 3121. Intermediate/Advanced Ballet II. Continuation and progression of Intermediate/Advanced Ballet I. May be repeated once for additional credit. Prerequisite: DNCE 3111. Three studio hours a week. Credit: One hour.
DNCE 3151. Intermediate/Advanced Modern Dance I. Intermediate-Advanced study in modern dance technique and repertory. May be repeated once for additional credit. Prerequisite: DNCE 2161. Four and one-half studio hours a week. Credit: One hour.
DNCE 3161. Intermediate/Advanced Modern Dance II. Continuation and progression of Intermediate/Advanced Modern Dance I. May be repeated once for additional credit. Prerequisite: DNCE 3151. Four and one-half studio hours a week. Credit: One hour.
DNCE 3191. Urban and Global Dance Practices. Intermediate technical proficiency and improvisation in urban and global dance genres. Prerequisite: DNCE 2171. Three studio hours a week. Credit: One hour.
DNCE 3193. Experiential Anatomy for Dancers. Basic human anatomy and mechanical function of the muscular-skeletal system as applied to dance practices and technique. Concepts of kinesiology, somatic practices, and nutrition. Prerequisites: DNCE 1191 and DNCE 2183. Two lecture and two studio hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
DNCE 3292. Choreographic Designs. Development of artistic and critical evaluation process skills in choreography. Application of compositional principles to groups, special emphasis on selecting and working with accompaniment as an extension of the choreographic idea. Prerequisites: DNCE 1091 and DNCE 2183, or equivalent. One lecture hour and three studio hours a week. Credit: Two hours.
DNCE 3373. World of the Imagination in Art, Dance, and Film. Examines themes of fantasy and reality, emphasis on dance and visual arts with selected examples from other disciplines. Appropriate for all majors. Satisfies Creative Arts Core (50). Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
DNCE 3393. History of Dance. Leading historical and contemporary ballet and modern dance choreographers, performers, and writers and the artistic and societal frameworks in which dance forms evolved; overview of jazz, tap, musical theatre dance forms. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
DNCE 3813. Theories of Teaching Dance Technique. Analysis of the teaching/learning process in dance with emphasis on the development of personal teaching philosophies and their application to a variety of settings. Prerequisites: DNCE 2183 and Level II technique. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
DNCE 3913. Summer Dance Intensive. Enrichment experiences in dance with distinguished guest artists incorporating sound, dance technique performance, improvisation, and/or choreography. May be repeated for additional credit. Two lecture and two studio hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
DNCE 4123. Dance and Public Practice. Current artistic and social issues emerging within the field of community dance practice provide a framework for creating dance projects for members of the public in diverse community settings. Prerequisite: Level II technique. Two lecture and two studio hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
DNCE 4133. Dance Production. Theory and practice of staging dance productions: costume and lighting design, sound technology, and theatre safety. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
DNCE 4151. Advanced Modern Dance I. Advanced technique in modern dance technique and repertory. May be repeated once for additional credit. Prerequisite: DNCE 3161. Four and one-half studio hours a week. Credit: One hour.
DNCE 4161. Advanced Modern Dance II. Continuation and progression of Advanced Modern Dance I. May be repeated once for additional credit. Prerequisite: DNCE 4151. Four and one-half studio hours a week. Credit: One hour.
DNCE 4182. Concert Choreography. Conceptualization, realization, direction, and production of choreographic works for formal and informal venues. May be repeated once for additional credit. Prerequisites: DNCE 1191 and DNCE 3292, or equivalent. Six studio hours a week. Credit: Two hours.
DNCE 4243. Children's Dance. Origins of form and meaning in children's dance and conceptions of the world as reflected in the expressive dance forms of children. Emphasis on critical and creative thinking, the communication of ideas through dance, and the investigation of movement as an expressive symbol system. Exploration of frameworks for integrating dance with other ways of knowing. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
DNCE 4393. Contemporary Trends and Issues in Choreography and Performance. Critical analysis of trends in contemporary dance through the process of viewing, performing, analyzing, and writing about dance. Prerequisite: Level II technique. Two lecture and two studio hours a week. Credit: Three hours.
DNCE 4911. Independent Study. Directed study of selected problems such as choreography of a suite of original dances or development and execution of plans for lighting, stage decor, and costumes. Credit: One hour.
DNCE 4913. Independent Study. Directed study of selected problems such as choreography of a suite of original dances or development and execution of plans for lighting, stage decor, and costumes. Credit: Three hours.
DNCE 4933. 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.
