Dance Major
Program Director: Maura Keefe, Ph.D.
The undergraduate curriculum, which leads toward a B.A. degree in Dance, offers students a solid foundation in the core areas of the discipline as well as insights into cross-disciplinary fields of study.
Coursework is designed to help students become skillful, articulate, and expressive movers; to enable students to find their own voice as creative artists, develop the ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment, and to grow in their conceptual understanding of dance as an art form.
The cornerstones of the curriculum are foundational coursework in the first two years. The project based learning or advanced seminar experiences in the senior year engage students in interdisciplinary and/or cross-cultural work and offer in-depth exploration of a theme from a performance, choreographic, and theoretical perspective. Students select an area of emphasis in performance and choreography, production, or education.
Foundational sequences in technique , creative process, and choreography, which integrate a conceptual understanding of dance as an art form, are at the core of the discipline. Through these fundamental practices of the discipline, students gain, not only necessary skills, but also an embodied knowledge of the field.
The dance faculty is composed of a number of distinguished teachers, choreographers, performers, and scholars, each one a specialist in his or her own field. Visiting artists and guest artists make additional contributions to the program. There are performance and choreographic opportunities for all dance students, ranging from informal workshops to fully mounted concerts both on and off campus.
Courses offered by this department may be found under the following acronym(s): DANC, TDPS
Admission to the Major
An audition is not required to become a dance major. For more information, contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies and Coordinator of Student Services, Susan Miller, at smille13@umd.edu.
Program Objectives
Our Mission
The University of Maryland School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies advances and transforms the research and practice of theatre, dance, and performance studies through its commitment to excellence and innovative education in the performing arts.
Our Vision
We envision a school that serves as a national model for collaboration, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the performing arts. The undergraduate curriculum, which leads toward a B.A. degree in Dance, offers students a solid foundation in the core areas of the discipline as well as insights into cross-disciplinary fields of study. Coursework is designed to help students become skillful, articulate, and expressive movers; to enable students to find their own voice as creative artists, develop the ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment, and to grow in their conceptual understanding of dance as an art form in relation to the other arts.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Develop the knowledge and research skills to explore the dance past in writing, orally, and in performance.
- Demonstrate growing technical understanding and fluency in dance technique.
- Participate in the creative process through the creation and interpretation of choreography.
- Apply interdisciplinary research methods to dance scholarship and choreography.
- Demonstrate the ability to understand cultural and historical texts in relation to dance forms.
- Apply musical knowledge to movement and choreography.
- Design choreographic movement and structures.
Students must complete 49 credits. The following courses or areas are required:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| College Requirements | ||
| DANC218 | Modern Dance I | 3 |
| DANC219 | Modern Dance II | 3 |
| DANC318 | Modern Dance III | 3 |
| DANC319 | Modern Dance IV | 3 |
| DANC109 | Choreography I: Improvisation | 3 |
| DANC179 | Movement Integration | 2 |
| DANC207 | Choreography II: The Creative Process | 3 |
| DANC383 | Dance History & Theory | 3 |
| DANC304 | Dance Education I: Foundations | 3 |
| TDPS201 | Introduction to Technical Production | 3 |
| TDPS479 | Production Practicum | 1 |
| One of the following: | 3 | |
| Project-Based Learning | ||
OR | ||
| Seminar in Dance | ||
| 4 credits of Dance Forms selected from: | 4 | |
| Global Dance Forms | ||
| Ballet I | ||
| Ballet II | ||
| Ballet III | ||
| Ballet IV | ||
| Area of Emphasis | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 49 | |
12 credits of 3xx or 4xx level course work in an area of emphasis in performance and choreography or in production, or education.
Areas of Emphasis
Performance and Choreography
Students in the Performance and Choreography area are expected to enroll in a technique class each semester and to be actively engaged in experiences that transition them from the classroom to the stage. Opportunities for engagement include auditioning for student, faculty, and guest artist works, showing works in progress at monthly open showings, and auditioning works for performances.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| TDPS479 | Production Practicum 1 | 1 |
| DANC309 | Choreography III: Dance Composition | 3 |
| DANC468 | Dance Repertory | 3 |
| Select an additional 5 credits of the following: | 5 | |
| Modern Dance V 2 | ||
| Modern Dance VI 2 | ||
| Dance Repertory | ||
| Partnering | ||
| Laban Movement Analysis | ||
| Somatics | ||
| Dance Lighting | ||
| Practicum in Choreography, Production and Performance III | ||
| Practicum in Choreography, Production and Performance IV | ||
| Special Topics in Dance | ||
Additional courses approved by the program. | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
- 1
This is in addition to the 1 credit required of all majors.
- 2
A maximum of a total of 6 credits of Dance DANC448 and DANC449 will count toward the 12 credit area requirement.
Production
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| TDPS479 | Production Practicum 1 | 3 |
| Select an additional 9 credits of the following: | 9 | |
| Dance Lighting | ||
| Technical Theater Production for Dance | ||
| Fundamentals of Theatrical Design | ||
| Stage Costume Construction I 2 | ||
| Scenic Design I 2 | ||
| Costume Design I 2 | ||
| Lighting Design for Performance 2 | ||
| Rendering for the Theatre I 2 | ||
| Scene Painting 2 | ||
| Advanced Stage Management 2 | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
- 1
This is in addition to the 1 credit required of all majors.
- 2
Permission required courses
Education
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DANC405 | Dance Education II: Education & Policy | 3 |
| DANC371 | Somatics | 3 |
| DANC466 | Laban Movement Analysis (DANC489F::3xx or 4xx level Global Movement Practice) | 3 |
| DANC338 | Dance Techniques | 2 |
| TDPS479 | Production Practicum | 1 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
A grade of "C-" or higher must be attained in all dance courses.
An overall GPA of 2.0 in the major is required for graduation.
Other Requirements for the Major
Mid-Point Assessment
The Mid-Point assessment gives the program a mid-course opportunity for learning outcomes assessment. In preparation for the assessment, students prepare a portfolio that includes a resume, samples of their writing, and a DVD with examples of their work in technique and choreography classes. The Mid-Point assessment is a benchmark requirement in the program. All transfer students, as well as students who declare Dance after their first semester on campus, will be assigned an assessment date when they meet with their Dance advisor to develop an academic plan. Students who do not complete the assessment process in their assigned semester will not be permitted to continue in the major. Completion is defined as submission of a portfolio and participation in a scheduled assessment meeting.
The Dance program has mandatory advising each semester. New, re-entering, and transfer students are expected to contact the program, following their admission to the University, for instructions regarding advising and registration procedures. Although entrance auditions are not required, some previous dance experience is highly desirable.
For additional information about the program contact:
Susan Miller
Coordinator of Student Services and Academic Advisor
2810 Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
University of Maryland
College Park, Maryland 20742
301-405-6694
smille13@umd.edu
Click here for roadmaps for four-year plans in the College of Arts and Humanities.
Additional information on developing a four-year academic plan can be found on the following pages:
- http://4yearplans.umd.edu
- the Student Academic Success-Degree Completion Policy section of this catalog