Dance, Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Dance – Bachelor of Arts
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance provides an excellent education in performance, choreography, and teaching, with additional components of wellness for dance, dance technology, and intercultural experience, preparing students for their chosen profession and entrepreneurial role in society.
This nationally renowned and rigorous program provides a comprehensive dance education that is compatible with other academic disciplines for students desiring a double major. The BA in dance can be completed in four years or on a compressed 3-year accelerated schedule for those completing summer study and/or bringing an Associate’s Degree.
Bachelor of Arts in Dance: 40-42 credits
The BA program attracts a diverse population of students who are interested in a well-rounded program that allows for multiple performance and choreography opportunities, including both live and virtual (dance for the camera) performances. In addition to the many performing and choreography opportunities, Dance BA students will learn to expand and perfect artistic and research abilities through various courses in technique, performance, choreography, dance history, wellness for dance and teaching. Dance BA students complete a capstone course in the senior year, ensuring a well-rounded education relevant for dance professionals in the 21st century. Our graduates are employed in many careers in dance, including dance company members, dance teachers and professors, independent dance artists, wellness and fitness specialists, art administrators, adaptive dance instructors, costume and lighting designers, and other related careers.
The application and synthesis of practice and theory competencies are required for employment in the dance field. It is recommended that BA students be enrolled in a minimum of one technique class per semester. Competency based assessments will be used to determine level of proficiency, advancement in technique and performance, and synthesis of knowledge. The systematic assessment procedures developed by the dance faculty were created in conjunction with the National Association of Schools of Dance standards for liberal arts degree programs. By the end of the final year, BA dance students must demonstrate the following technical proficiency requirements:
- Level IV in Modern Dance (required)
- Level III in Ballet (recommended)
- Level III in Jazz Dance (recommended)
Program Learning Outcomes
- Choreography: Create and organize movement into artistic and aesthetic choreography.
- Communication and Critical Thinking: Demonstrate the ability to communicate and think critically in the areas of performance, choreography, and teaching.
- Cultural Diversity: Synthesize the social, political, and artistic role of dance in world cultures.
- Degree Program Writing Competency: Demonstrate writing that is clear, cohesive, and relevant to the dance field, utilizing appropriate vocabulary, grammar, research, and citation methods.
- Teaching: Organize the knowledge, skills, aesthetics and art of dance into effective, ethical and responsible teaching practices.
- Technique: Demonstrate mastery of the core concepts in dance technique and performance in DANC 420 (modern dance technique IV).
- Wellness: Students will apply dance wellness principles in the areas of performance, teaching, and choreography.
Related Links
Curriculum Guide
GPA Requirement
Major GPA: 2.0 or higher
Overall GPA: 2.0 or higher
Summary*
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Rock Studies 2 Requirements | 42 | |
| Modern Language Requirement | 0-9 | |
| Other Basic Requirements | 0-3 | |
| Major Requirements | 41-42 | |
| Electives | 37 | |
* All undergraduate degree programs require a minimum of 120 credits. Some courses meet multiple requirements, but are only counted once toward the 120 credit total required to graduate.
Rock Studies 2 Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The Rock | ||
| SUBJ 139 | Foundations of Academic Discovery 1 | 3 |
| ENGL 102 | Critical Writing | 3 |
| ENGL 104 | Critical Reading | 3 |
| MATH 117 | Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice | ||
| Ethics and Civil Discourse | ||
| Civil Discourse and Democracy | ||
| Subtotal | 15 | |
| Integrated Inquiry | ||
| Creative and Aesthetic Inquiry | ||
| Select 3 Credits | 3 | |
| Humanities Inquiry | ||
| Select 3 Credits | 3 | |
| Social Science Inquiry | ||
| Select 3 Credits | 3 | |
| Natural Sciences Inquiry | ||
| SCI 101 | Science of Life | 3 |
| Physical Sciences Inquiry | ||
| SCI 102 | Understanding the Physical World | 3 |
| Subtotal | 15 | |
| Thematic Thread | ||
| Select 12 Credits 2 | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 42 | |
- 1
Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.
- 2
One course from each category; six credits must be 300-level or above; no more than 4 credits from one subject area; specific courses required in first major, regardless of prefix of course, cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements; any course with same prefix as first major cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements, even if it is not a course in the first major.
BA Modern Language Requirement
BA degree requires language proficiency at the 103 class level. Exemption by placement or examination is possible.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete 0-9 credits | 0-9 | |
| Total Hours | 0-9 | |
Basic Math Requirement
Check with your adviser or a current degree audit report to see if you have been exempted from this course. The credit earned in this course will not be counted toward the 120 credit hour minimum needed to earn a degree.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete one of the following: | 0-3 | |
Meet required minimum SAT or ACT math score OR | ||
| Beginning Algebra | ||
| Total Hours | 0-3 | |
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION REQUIREMENT
Students must take and pass a course with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) designation prior to graduation. Students can meet this requirement by taking any DEI - designated course in any program at any time during their undergraduate career.
Major Requirements
- 21 major credits must be taken at SRU or PASSHE
- 21 major credits must be taken at the 300 level or above
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Dance Core | ||
| DANC 101 | Wellness for Dancers 1 | 3 |
| DANC 199 | LMA/Performance Techniques 1 | 3 |
| DANC 200 | Dance Composition I 1 | 3 |
| DANC 216 | Principles of Dance Production 1 | 3 |
| DANC 223 | Creative Dance for Children 1 | 3 |
| DANC 224 | Improvisation 1 | 3 |
| DANC 301 | Dances of Selected Cultures 1 | 2 |
| DANC 323 | Teaching of Dance 1 | 3 |
| DANC 324 | Music for Dance 1 | 3 |
| DANC 326 | Dance Kinesiology 1 | 3 |
| DANC 350 | Field Experience in Dance Technique 1 | 1 |
| DANC 419 | Dance in Contemporary Times 1 | 3 |
| DANC 420 | Modern Dance Technique: Level IV 1 | 2 |
| DANC 425 | Senior Capstone I: Dance Research 1 | 3 |
| Subtotal | 38 | |
| Additional Core Requirements | ||
| Select 3 or 4 credits from one of the following groups: | 3-4 | |
Group 1: Dance Theory and Practice (Technique) | ||
Select two of the following courses bringing your total BA degree to 42 credit hours: | ||
| Ballet III 1 | ||
| Jazz Dance III 1 | ||
| Contemporary Partnering 1 | ||
Group 2: Composition and Technology | ||
Select one course bringing your total BA degree to 41 credit hours: | ||
| Dance Technology 1 | ||
| Dance Composition II 1 | ||
Group 3: Social and Historical Perspectives | ||
Select one course bringing your total BA degree to 42 credit hours: | ||
| Society and Social Dance 1 | ||
| Dance in the Political World 1 | ||
| Subtotal | 3-4 | |
| Total Hours | 41-42 | |
- 1
Course counts for 50% of Major requirements and Major GPA
- *
Some courses may require pre-requisites. Please see course descriptions to determine if there are any pre-requisites for that specific course.
Competency Based Requirements for the BA in Dance Degree Program of Study
Competency based assessments will be used to determine level of proficiency, advancement in technique and performance, and synthesis of knowledge. The systematic assessment procedures developed by the dance faculty were created in conjunction with the National Association of Schools of Dance standards for liberal arts degree programs. By the end of the final year, BA dance students must demonstrate the following technical proficiency requirements:
- Level IV in Modern Dance (required)
- Level III in Ballet (recommended)
- Level III in Jazz Dance (recommended)
Co-Curricular and Experiential Learning
Students are encouraged to explore additional curricular and co-curricular opportunities. There is a strong correlation between long-term student success and participation in the following types of programs and activities:
- Career education and development
- Field experiences
- Guest artist residencies and repertory experiences
- High-impact practice (HIP) courses and activities
- International study programs (short-term, semester)
- Internships and Independent study
- Residential dance companies
- Service opportunities
- Student-faculty research and creative projects
- Student leadership development and opportunities
- Summer dance intensives and workshops
Important Curriculum Guide Notes
This Curriculum Guide is provided to help SRU students and prospective students better understand their intended major curriculum. Enrolled SRU students should note that the My Rock Audit may place already-earned and/or in progress courses in different, yet valid, curriculum categories. Enrolled SRU students should use the My Rock Audit Report and materials and information provided by their faculty advisers to ensure accurate progress towards degree completion. The information on this guide is current as of the date listed. Students are responsible for curriculum requirements at the time of enrollment at the University.
PASSHE - Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Institutions
Dance - BA (5153)
This program is effective as of Fall 2020.
Revision date: 05.24.2023
UCC 03.02.2021
Recommended Four-Year Plan
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| DANC 101 | Wellness for Dancers | 3 |
| DANC 220 | Modern Dance Technique: Level II 1 | 2 |
| DANC 221 | Ballet II 1 | 2 |
| DANC 222 | Jazz Dance II (Or Computer Competency Requirement) | 2 |
| ENGL 102 | Critical Writing | 3 |
| SUBJ 139 | Foundations of Academic Discovery 2 | 3 |
| Creative & Aesthetic Inquiry | 3 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Spring | ||
| DANC 224 | Improvisation | 3 |
| DANC 216 | Principles of Dance Production | 3 |
| DANC 220 | Modern Dance Technique: Level II 1 | 2 |
| DANC 221 | Ballet II 1 | 2 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice | ||
| Ethics and Civil Discourse | ||
| Civil Discourse and Democracy | ||
| ENGL 104 | Critical Reading | 3 |
| Determine additional 3-4 credits of core requirements from one of these groups: | 3-4 | |
Dance Theory and Practice (Technique); Composition and Technology Social and Historical Perspectives. These courses will be listed as electives in upcoming semesters 5 |
||
| Hours | 19-20 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| DANC 200 | Dance Composition I | 3 |
| DANC 301 | Dances of Selected Cultures | 2 |
| DANC 320 | Modern Dance Technique: Level III 1 | 2 |
| Select one of the following: | 2-3 | |
| Dance Technology 6 | ||
| Jazz Dance II | ||
| Ballet III | ||
| MATH 117 | Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| Humanities Inquiry | 3 | |
| Social Science Inquiry | 3 | |
| Note: Taking more than 18 credits requires an additional fee | ||
| Declare a Thematic Thread 3 | ||
| Hours | 18-19 | |
| Spring | ||
| DANC 199 | LMA/Performance Techniques | 3 |
| DANC 223 | Creative Dance for Children | 3 |
| DANC 299 or DANC 499 |
Dance Rehearsal and Production or Dance Rehearsal and Production |
1 |
| DANC 320 | Modern Dance Technique: Level III 1 | 2 |
| DANC 324 | Music for Dance | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Society and Social Dance (Thread) | ||
| Dance in the Political World (Thread) | ||
| SCI 101 | Science of Life | 3 |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| DANC 420 | Modern Dance Technique: Level IV | 2 |
| Select one of the following: | 2 | |
| Jazz Dance II (Elective) 1 | ||
| Ballet III (Elective) 1 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-5 | |
| Repertory (Elective) | ||
| Dance Rehearsal and Production (Elective) | ||
| Dance Technology 6 | ||
| Dance Composition II | ||
| Dance in the Political World 4 | ||
| Contemporary Partnering 4 | ||
| SCI 102 | Understanding the Physical World | 3 |
| Thematic Thread Requirement | 3 | |
| Language Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 16-18 | |
| Spring | ||
| DANC 326 | Dance Kinesiology | 3 |
| DANC 419 | Dance in Contemporary Times | 3 |
| DANC 420 | Modern Dance Technique: Level IV 1 | 2 |
| Language Requirement | 3 | |
| Thematic Thread Requirement | 3 | |
| Thematic Thread Requirement | 3 | |
| DANC 499 | Dance Rehearsal and Production (Elective) | 1 |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| DANC 323 | Teaching of Dance | 3 |
| DANC 350 | Field Experience in Dance Technique | 1 |
| DANC 425 | Senior Capstone I: Dance Research | 3 |
| DANC 499 | Dance Rehearsal and Production (Elective) | 1 |
| Select a Dance Technique Elective (Ballet, Contemporary Partnering, Jazz Modern) | 2 | |
| Language Requirement or Dance Elective | 3 | |
| Thematic Thread Requirement | 3 | |
| December Graduation | ||
| Hours | 16 | |
| Total Hours** | 123-127 | |
- 1
Proficiency Requirement
- 2
Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.
- 3
Work with your Academic Adviser to declare a Thematic Thread by the end of your fall semester in your second year.
- 4
- 5
- 6
If DANC 271 is taken, an additional 2 upper division credits must be completed in order to meet the 20 upper division required credits.
- The BA in dance 1st majors will need to make sure they take a Rock Studies 2 Thread that has DANC 305 or DANC 318. Students will need to register for DANC 305 or DANC 318 and this will count in Rock Studies 2 and the major. *If dance is a student‘s second major then they need to select group 3: Social and Historical Perspectives to complete their requirements.
- Proficiency Requirements allows the student to develop and demonstrate progression toward reaching departmental technique proficiency requirements and meeting performance competency accreditation standards for dance majors pursuing an undergraduate liberal arts degree.
- Students must successfully complete DANC 420 Modern IV level competency in order to graduate.
- Dance Elective courses provides opportunities for students to choose the coursework appropriate to their individual needs and interests; while remaining consistent with the goals and objectives of the liberal arts degree program being followed.
** This document is meant to serve as a guide. Some planners may show more than 120 credits because faculty have created flexibility in choosing courses. However, only 120 credits are required to obtain a degree. Please consult with your academic adviser and refer to your curriculum guide prior to registering for courses. This plan should be reviewed, and verified, by you and your academic adviser at least once each academic year.
Major Code: 5153
Revision date: 03.26.2024