College Catalogue: Traditional Program:
Dance

Dance (DAN)

Assistant Professor Newland, Chair
Assistant Professor Morton
Assistant Professor Tucker
Assistant Professor S. Wynne
Specialty Instructor B. Wynne

The mission of the dance department is to prepare students spiritually, technically, academically, and artistically to move into the world of dance and affiliated careers in adherence with the mission of the College.

This degree program provides a Bachelor of Arts in dance, a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance, and a minor in dance. These tracks enable students to develop their God-given talents in dance as well as its allied fields and to understand dance from a biblical perspective. Students receive a broad liberal arts and dance education to prepare themselves for graduate school, modalities for ministry, and careers in dance performance, dance education, and allied fields in dance.

Bachelor of Arts in Dance: 124 credit hours to include:

1. DAN 147, 148, 170, 243 or 244, 270, 300, 343 or 344, 370, 375, 475, two consecutive semesters of 400, 411, 443 or 444, and BIO 230 or DAN 401. (Prerequisites for BIO 230 and DAN 401 are BIO 105, 106, 107, and 108. Dance students with a Natural Science ACT score of 25 or higher are exempt from the BIO 105 and 107 but not BIO 106 and 108.)
2. Minimum of 18 hours of dance-technical studies, including DAN 225-226 or higher, or DAN 233-234 or higher.  A technique class is required each semester.
3. Minimum of 10 credit hours in performance/choreography studies.
4. 9 credit hours of Dance History consisting of DAN 360, 361, and 362.
5. 13 credit hours of Dance Education and senior projects. 

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance: 128 credit hours to include:

1. DAN 147, 148, 170, 243, 244, 270, 300, 301, 343, 344, 370, 371, 375, 475, two consecutive semesters of 400, 411,  443, 444, 470, and BIO 230 or DAN 401.  (Prerequisites for BIO 230 and DAN 401 are BIO 105, 106, 107, and 108.  Dance students with a Natural Science ACT score  of 25 or higher (SAT composite score of 1300 or above) are exempt from BIO 105 and 107 but not BIO 106 and 108.)
2. Minimal total of 24 hours in dance technical studies, with at least two courses taken for audit or credit in a second technique per academic year.  Primary technique is required every semester for credit or audit.
3. Minimum of 19 credit hours in performance/choreography studies.
4. 6 credit hours of Dance History consisting of DAN 360, and 361 or 362.  DAN 361 is recommended for Ballet, 362 is recommended for Modern.
5. 13 credit hours of Dance Education and senior projects.
6. 7 hours of electives in studio work. 
7. To meet B.F.A. in dance requirements, the student must achieve and maintain DAN 433-434 or DAN 425-426 by one semester prior to graduation.

Minor in dance: 24 hours in dance courses, including DAN 147 and 148, 170, 225-226 or higher, or DAN 233-234, or higher, and DAN 411. Not open to students majoring in dance.

Certificate in Dance: 21 - 24 hours
The certificate in dance requires 21 - 24 credit hours and takes two consecutive semesters (beginning in the fall) to complete, with some flexibility to facilitate appropriate substitutions.  This program is not the equivalent of a major in dance.  The fall semester should include DAN 133 or higher, DAN 125 or higher, DAN 170, DAN 151 (Pilates), DAN 370, and DAN 147.  The spring semester should include DAN 134 or higher, DAN 126 or higher, DAN 270, DAN 251 (Pilates), DAN 371, and DAN 148.

All students will be assigned an appropriate level in dance technique courses.  Only students who demonstrate the skill necessary for the next level of work upon completion of a studio technique course will be permitted to enroll at the next level.  If not, they will be expected to continue at their level of technique until they are ready to advance.

Majors and minors are required to attend and participate in the weekly department meetings and must make arrangements to do so.

Dance Apprentice Program

The Belhaven College dance apprentice program is an opportunity for talented high school students pursuing a highly advanced level of study in dance and desiring instruction and performance experience through Belhaven College courses and faculty.

The program offers apprentices the opportunity to earn college credits while continuing to complete their high school curriculum. Tuition is offered at 50 percent of the current rate per credit hour.

Students must be in good scholastic standing and must be available to attend all sessions of the technique and performance courses in which they enroll. Students will participate as apprentice members of the Belhaven College Dance Ensemble.

The following are required at the time of application:

1. Minimum age of 15 by September 1
2. Completed application for admission and $25 nonrefundable application fee
3. Achieved and maintaining a 2.8 GPA
4. Academic reference and recommendation
5. Student’s letter of intent
6. Personal interview with the chair of the dance department and the director of admission.
7. Audition in person for the chair of the dance department and dance faculty for admission to the program.

If eventually degree-seeking, the student would follow the standard requirements for admission while earned credit would be transferable.

The number of semester hours an apprentice can attempt is unlimited, but restricted to dance technique courses only. After attempting six semester hours in lecture or laboratory courses, he or she must either apply as a degree-seeking student or make a request to be continued as an apprentice.

Apprentices are accountable to the chair of the dance department and will be graded on the same scale as Belhaven College dance students. Apprentices will be obligated to continue participation for one full semester at a time unless there is cause for discontinuation on the part of the faculty or due to physical injury or other plausible hardship. Under all circumstances, an exit interview with the chair of the dance department is required.

115	Beginning Ballet Technique (1).  (For non-majors)
116	Beginning Ballet Technique (1). Prereq: DAN 115 or Instructor’s Approval.  (For non-majors)
117	Beginning Modern Dance Technique (1).  (For non-majors)
118	Beginning Modern Dance Technique (1). Prereq: DAN 117 or Instructor’s Approval. (For non-majors.)
120	Looking at Dance (3). Survey course introducing general college students to diverse forms of dance created and practiced by various societies in the world. In this course we survey the amazing variety of dance in the world from this larger cultural perspective, examining the values that societies express in their dances.    (Lecture/Studio)
125-126	Ballet Technique I (1-1).  Prereq: Placement Class or Instructor’s Approval.  Beginning/Intermediate ballet technique.
133-134	Modern Dance Technique I (1-1).  Prereq: Placement Class or Instructor’s Approval.  Beginning/Intermediate modern dance technique.
147	Orientation to Dance (1).  An introduction of dance studies at Belhaven College and a survey of dance as an art form and its related area, including health and wellness, auditioning, rehearsal etiquette, performance and performance preparations, character, worldview and cultural issues.
148	Performance Techniques (1).  Prereq: Instructor’s Approval. A continuation of DAN 147, this course is designed to broaden the student’s perspectives on dance, moving toward artistry with attention given to examining detail of movement, looking into the choreographic intention behind dance works, and questioning how all of these apply to a biblical world and life view as well as to our individual choices as dance artists. Includes the study of one to two choreographic works.
151	Related Dance Forms I (1).  Prereq: Instructor’s Approval. Dance technique course concentrating on the different techniques of various dance forms other than classical ballet and modern dance.
152	Pointe Technique I (1). Prereq: Placement Class or Instructor’s Approval.  Beginning/Intermediate pointe technique.
153	Men’s Technique I (1). Prereq: Placement Class or Instructor’s Approval.  Classical technique course in the study of the specific technical demands for the male dancer.
154	Pas de Deux I (1). Prereq: DAN 152 or DAN 252 and Instructor’s Approval. Partnering techniques and sustained adagio for the classical ballet.
155	Variations I (1). Prereq: DAN 153 or DAN 252, and Instructor’s Approval. Variations from extant classical and neoclassical repertoire.
170	Improvisation I (1).  Prereq: Instructor’s Approval. Introduction to principles of improvisation, utilizing basic elements of movement, movement qualities, spatial awareness, vocabulary development, and spontaneous creative decision making.
225-226	Ballet Technique II (1/2-1/2).  Pre-req.: DAN 125-126 and Instructor’s Approval.  Intermediate ballet technique.  Continuation of DAN 125-126.
233-234	Modern Dance Technique II (1/2-1/2).   Prereq: DAN 133-134 and Instructor’s Approval.  Intermediate modern dance technique.  Continuation of DAN 133-134.
243-244	Performance II (1-1).  Prereq: DAN 148 and Instructor’s Approval.  Continuation of DAN 143-144.
251	Related Dance Forms II (1/2).  Prereq: DAN 151 and Instructor’s Approval.  Continuation of DAN 151.
252	Pointe Technique II (1).  Prereq: DAN 152 and Instructor’s Approval.  Intermediate pointe technique.  Continuation of DAN 152.
253	Men’s Technique II (1). Prereq: DAN 153 and Instructor’s Approval.  Continuation of DAN 153.
254	Pas de Deux II (1). Prereq: DAN 154 and Instructor’s Approval.  Continuation of DAN 154.
255	Variations II (1).  Prereq: DAN 155 and Instructor’s Approval.    Continuation of DAN 155.
256	Partnering Techniques I (1). Prereq: DAN 270 and Instructor’s Approval.                 Partnering techniques for modern dance.
257	Jazz Technique (1). Prereq: Instructor’s Approval. Intermediate Jazz Technique.
258	Jazz Technique (1). Prereq: DAN 257 and Instructor’s Approval. Intermediate Jazz Technique.
261	Dance Theory (2). Intellectual history of 20th-century dance theory; study of theory and aesthetics as they relate to dance.
270	Improvisation II (1).  Prereq: DAN 170 and Instructor’s Approval.  Continuation of DAN 170.
275	Laban/Bartenieff Studies (2). Introduction to Rudolf Laban’s system of movement analysis (LMA). The LMA framework examines the interrelated aspects of body effort and space with an emphasis on qualitative description of movement. This course also explores the fundamentals developed by Irmgard Bartenieff who created a system of body reeducation and movement repatterning. The course offers a means to increase the expression and performance range of the dancer or athlete.
290	Independent Study (1-3).
300	Dance Production I (2). This course will guide a student through the administrative needs, grant writing requirements and the promotional elements associated with running a dance company or self-producing your artistic product.
301	Dance Production II (2). This course provides an overview of the technical elements such as lighting, sound, and management elements such as box office and advertising elements of producing a dance event.
325-326	Ballet Technique III (1/2-1/2).  Pre-req.: DAN 225-226 and Instructor’s Approval. Intermediate/Advanced ballet technique.  Continuation of DAN 225-226.
333-334	Modern Dance Technique III (1/2-1/2).  Prereq: DAN 233-234 and Instructor’s Approval. Intermediate/Advanced modern dance technique. Continuation of DAN 233-234.
343-344	Performance III (1-1).  Prereq: Dan 148. Continuation of DAN 243-244.
345	Dance Ministry (2).  Prereq:  Instructor’s Approval. Students will gain instruction and training specifically designing dances, text and other materials necessary for ministry, worship services, workshops, and outreach.
351	Related Dance Forms III (2).  Prereq: Instructor’s Approval. Physical Theatre.
352	Pointe Technique III (1).  Prereq: DAN 252 and Instructor’s Approval.  Advanced/Pre-professional pointe technique.  Continuation of DAN 252.
353	Men’s Technique III (1). Prereq: DAN 253 and Instructor’s Approval.  Continuation of DAN 253.
354	Pas de Deux III (1).  Prereq: DAN 254 and Instructor’s Approval. Continuation of DAN 254.
355	Variations III (1).  Prereq: DAN 255 and Instructor’s Approval. Continuation of DAN 255.
356	Partnering Techniques II (1).  Prereq: DAN 256 and Instructor’s Approval. Continuation of DAN 256.
360	Dance History I (3). History and philosophy of dance; ritual and social components of dance; dance in early cultures; origins of dance as a theatrical art form through the early Renaissance.
361	Dance History II (3). History and philosophy of dance; evolution of dance as a theatrical art form from the Renaissance to the 20th century and dance in cultural context; ballet history.
362	Dance History III (3). History and philosophy of dance; evolution of dance in the 20th century; dance in contemporary ultural context; current contemporary trends in dance.
370	Elements of Composition I (2). Prereq: DAN 170, 270 and Instructor’s Approval.  Study of basic rhythmic, spatial, and dynamic materials in the designing of dance movement.
371	Elements of Composition II (2). Prereq: DAN 170, 270, 370 and Instructor’s Approval.  Continuation of DAN 370.
375	Dance Pedagogy (2). Prereq. or Coreq.: Prereq: Instructor’s Approval.  Must be currently enrolled in a Level II (or higher) Technique course.  A study of the principles, techniques and materials of teaching dance. Includes supervised teaching experiences
390	Independent Study (1-3).
400	Senior Project (1/2).  Prereq:  Instructor’s Approval. Culminating process in coordination with and upon approval of dance faculty. The project may include research, performance, choreography, production, or a combination of these.  This course should be taken in fall and spring of senior year.
401	Dance Kinesiology (3) and Kinesiology Lab (1).  Prereq:  Instructor’s Approval.  Study of movement as it relates to principles of physics and anatomy.
411	Careers in Dance (2).  Prereq:  Instructor’s Approval. This course facilitates an inquiry into the breadth of occupations and professional applications in the field of dance. The course intends to help orient the student to skills and bodies of knowledge to pursue and manage a professional career in dance and/or allied professions, and to address choices and character from a biblical worldview.
425-426	Ballet Technique IV (1/2-1/2).  Pre-req.: DAN 325-326 and Instructor’s Approval. Advanced/Pre-Professional ballet technique. Continuation of DAN 325-326.
433-434	Modern Dance Technique IV (1/2-1/2).  Prereq: DAN 333-334 and Instructor’s Approval.  Advanced/Pre-Professional modern dance technique.  Continuation of DAN 333-334.
443-444	Performance IV (1-1).  Prereq: DAN 148.  Continuation of DAN 343-344.
453	Men’s Technique IV (1). Prereq: DAN 353 and Instructor’s Approval.  Continuation of DAN 353.
454	Pas de Deux IV (1).   Prereq: DAN 354 and Instructor’s Approval. Continuation of DAN 354.
455	Variations IV (1).  Prereq: DAN 355 and Instructor’s Approval. Continuation of DAN 355.
460	Dance and Technology (3).  Prereq:  DAN 370, 371 and Instructor’s Approval.  Must be currently enrolled in a Level II (or higher) Technique course. Topics in dance relating to multi-media, computer-assisted choreography, video, film, CD-Rom, etc. Includes final project.
470	Choreography (2). Prerequisite: DAN 170, 270, 370, 371, and Instructor’s Approval. Study of choreographic forms and structures, musical forms, components of dramatic and stylistic forms. Includes choreographic project.
475	Teaching Methods – Ballet (2). Prereq. or Coreq.: DAN 170, 225/226, and Instructor’s Approval.  Must be currently enrolled in a Level II (or higher) Technique course.  Methods for teaching ballet technique to prepare for teaching in studios, recreation departments, and public schools. Includes field work.
476	Teaching Methods – Modern (2). Prereq. or Coreq.: DAN 170, 233/234, and Instructor’s Approval.  Must be currently enrolled in a Level II (or higher) Technique course.  Methods for teaching modern dance technique to prepare for teaching in studios, recreation departments, and public schools.  Includes field work.
490	Special Topics in Dance (1-3).  Prereq: Instructor’s Approval. This course covers selected areas not studied extensively in other dance related courses and may be repeated for different topics.