Dance Major - Bachelor of Fine Arts (80 hours)

Students may petition for entrance into the BFA program after completion of:

At least one semester each of ballet, jazz, and modern major technique courses
DANC 1800 Choreography I
DANC 1810 Dance Improvisation
At least one dance theory course.

Eligibility of transfer students to petition will be determined on an individual basis by the dance department advisor. Petition forms are posted in November and March.

Continuation in the BFA program will be determined by the dance faculty during the second semester of the student’s enrollment. In order to continue in the BFA program, the student must: demonstrate potential to succeed as a professional dancer and/or choreographer; have at least B-level skills in technique and performance; and have demonstrated professional commitment in dance course work and dance-related activities. Any student discontinued from the program may reapply for the BFA after a minimum of one additional semester at WMU.

By the end of the student’s junior year, the BFA student must create and perform a solo dance in a public showing which exhibits his/her choreographic, technical, and performance skills. At this time, the student must also submit an essay addressing his/her strengths and weaknesses in choreography, technique and performance. In order to enroll in DANC 4800 Graduating Presentation, the dance and essay must be acceptable to the dance faculty.

A grade of “C” or better is mandatory in all required dance courses.

General Education Requirements

The student enrolled in the BFA in Dance must complete all General Education Requirements as described in this catalog. Since the BFA in Dance is a credit-hour intensive curriculum, the BFA student may count DANC 1450 Experiencing Dance in both the dance major and in Area I of the General Education Distribution Program.

DANC 1960 Conditioning for Dance, in combination with DANC 2950 Introduction to Dance Science and Kinesiology, meets the Area VIII Health and Well-being General Education requirement for dance majors.

Baccalaureate Writing Requirements

Students who have chosen the Dance major will satisfy the baccalaureate-level writing requirement by successfully completing DANC 3450 Twentieth Century American Dance.

Required Courses In Technique And Performance (32 hours)

The following courses may be used to complete the Technique/Performance requirement.

DANC 1250 - Special Studies in Introductory Dance Technique Credits: 1 to 6 hours
DANC 2250 - Special Studies in Intermediate Dance Technique Credits: 1 to 6 hours
DANC 4250 - Advanced Technique Credits: 1 to 6 hours

Technique Courses

BFA students must complete one semester of DANC 1210 and enroll in two major technique courses (listed below) each semester of the freshman, sophomore, and junior years:

DANC 1100 - Ballet Technique I Credits: 2 hours
DANC 1200 - Jazz Technique I Credits: 2 hours
DANC 1300 - Modern Technique I Credits: 2 hours
DANC 2100 - Ballet Technique II Credits: 2 hours
DANC 2200 - Jazz Technique II Credits: 2 hours
DANC 2300 - Modern Technique II Credits: 2 hours
DANC 3100 - Ballet Technique III Credits: 2 hours
DANC 3200 - Jazz Technique III Credits: 2 hours
DANC 3300 - Modern Technique III Credits: 2 hours

Technique Courses - Senior Year

During the senior year, candidates must: enroll in at least one major technique course each semester; serve as a demonstrator in one technique course during the fall semester; and through enrollment in DANC 4000, serve as a teaching assistant in a technique course during the winter semester.

DANC 4000 - Practicum Credits: 1 to 4 hours

Technique Courses - Performance Course

Courses must be selected to ensure the student is participating in a technique class five days per week. At least four hours must be selected from performance courses:

DANC 4600 - Performance Credits: Variable
DANC 4650 - Dance Ensemble Credits: 1 to 3 hours

Technique Courses - Ballet, Jazz, and Modern

The student must complete at least two semesters each of ballet, jazz, and modern technique courses; one semester of:

DANC 1210 - Roots of Jazz Credits: 2 hours

And At Least One Semester Of Two Of The Following:

DANC 3100 - Ballet Technique III Credits: 2 hours
DANC 3200 - Jazz Technique III Credits: 2 hours
DANC 3300 - Modern Technique III Credits: 2 hours

Required Courses In Choreography (10 hours)

DANC 1800 - Choreography I Credits: 2 hours
(Prereq: consent of advisor)
DANC 1810 - Dance Improvisation Credits: 1 hour
DANC 2800 - Choreography II Credits: 2 hours
(Prereq: 1800, 1810)
DANC 3800 - Choreography III Credits: 2 hours
(Prereq: 2800)
DANC 4800 - Graduating Presentation Credits: 3 hours
(Prereq: 3800)

Required Courses In Theory (29 hours)

History (9 hours)

DANC 1450 - Experiencing Dance Credits: 3 hours
(also counts in General Education Area I)
DANC 2450 - Ballet History Credits: 3 hours
(Prereq: 1450)
DANC 3450 - Twentieth Century American Dance Credits: 3 hours
(Prereq: 1450) (Dance majors use this course to meet the University Baccalaureate-level Writing Requirement)

Music (4 hours)

DANC 1850 - Music Fundamentals for Dancers Credits: 2 hours
DANC 2850 - Musical Style and Form for Dancers Credits: 2 hours
(Prereq: 1850)

Production and Management (4 hours)

DANC 3890 - Lighting and Staging for Dance Credits: 2 hours
(Prereq: Approved application required)
DANC 4890 - Dance Management Credits: 2 hours
(Prereq: Approved application required)

Dance Science/Analysis (8 hours)

DANC 1950 - Introduction to Bartenieff Fundamentals(SM) Credits: 1 hour
DANC 1960 - Conditioning for Dancers Credits: 2 hours
DANC 2950 - Introduction to Dance Science and Kinesiology Credits: 3 hours
DANC 2960 - Introduction to Laban Movement Analysis Credits: 2 hours
(Prereq: Sophomore standing)

Pedagogy (2 hours)

DANC 4400 - Teaching Dance Technique Credits: 2 hours
(Prereq: Consent of advisor)

Capstone Experience (2 hours)

(DANC 4800 Graduating Presentation is also considered a capstone experience in choreography, production, and management for the BFA student.)

DANC 4000 - Practicum Credits: 1 to 4 hours
(Prereq: Approved application required)
(1 hour)
DANC 4450 - Senior Seminar Credits: 1 hours
(Prereq: Senior standing)

Related Studies (9 hours)

The Department of Dance believes that the professionally oriented student must augment his/her education via study in the related arts and sciences which complement specific career goals. The student will consult with the dance academic advisor in selecting 9 hours from the courses listed below, some of which may also meet General Education requirements:

ANTH 2400 - Principles of Cultural Anthropology Credits: 3 hours
ART 1400 - Studio Experience - (2-D) Credits: 3 hours
ART 2200 - History of Art Credits: 3 hours
ART 2210 - History of Art Credits: 3 hours
BIOS 1120 - Principles of Biology Credits: 3 hours
BIOS 2110 - Human Anatomy Credits: 4 hours
(Prereq: BIOS 1120)
ED 2300 - The Nature of Creativity Credits: 3 hours
ENGL 1050 - Thought and Writing Credits: 4 hours
ENGL 1100 - Literary Interpretation Credits: 4 hours
ENGL 1500 - Literature and Other Arts Credits: 4 hours
ENGL 3050 - Practical Writing Credits: 4 hours
FREN 1000 - Basic French I Credits: 4 hours
FREN 1010 - Basic French II Credits: 4 hours
(Prereq: 1000 or equivalent)
HIST 3150 - Popular Art and Architecture in America Credits: 3 hours
MGMT 3140 - Small Business Management Credits: 3 hours
MUS 1500 - Music Appreciation: Live Music Credits: 4 hours
MUS 1510 - Music Appreciation: Jazz/Pop Credits: 4 hours
MUS 3500 - American Music Credits: 4 hours
MUS 3520 - Non-Western Music Credits: 4 hours
MUS 4500 - Music Appreciation: The Symphony Credits: 3 hours
PHIL 2000 - Introduction to Philosophy Credits: 4 hours
PHIL 3120 - Philosophy of Art Credits: 3 hours
Credits: 4 hours
REL 3110 - Myth and Ritual Credits: 4 hours
THEA 1000 - Introduction to Theatre Credits: 3 hours
THEA 1050 - Introduction to African-American Theatre Credits: 3 hours
THEA 1410 - Introduction to Acting Credits: 3 hours
THEA 1420 - Acting I: Action and Personalization Credits: 3 hours

Select Either:

ART 1480 - Direct Encounter with the Arts Credits: 4 hours
or
DANC 1480 - Direct Encounter with the Arts Credits: 4 hours
or
MUS 1480 - Direct Encounter with the Arts ($50 fee) Credits: 4 hours
or
THEA 1480 - Direct Encounter with the Arts Credits: 4 hours