Dance, Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) - Concentration in Performance and Choreography
The BFA (Performance and Choreography) is for the student who aspires to be a dance performer and choreographer in concert dance or the entertainment industry. In addition, this degree will prepare students for teaching different levels of students and populations in various settings. This degree provides excellent dance education and advanced training in performance, choreography, and teaching, along with additional areas of wellness for dancers, dance in a global context, and dance technology.
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance (Performance and Choreography):
Core Credits: 60
Performance and Choreography: 18
The BFA program with a concentration in Performance and Choreography 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 BFA students will complete courses up to the advanced level in performance, choreography, teaching, and various dance techniques. In addition, courses such as Wellness for Dancers, Dances of Selected Cultures, Dance Technology, Dance History courses, and two Senior Capstone courses ensure a well-rounded education relevant for dance professionals in the 21st century. Our graduates are enjoying a variety of careers in dance, including dance company members, dance teachers and professors, and independent dance artists. This program will prepare BFA majors for a wide range of dance careers in the dance profession.
All BFA students must be enrolled in a minimum of one technique class per day each 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 professional degree programs. By the end of the final year, BFA Performance and Choreography students must demonstrate the following technical proficiency requirements:
- Level VI in Modern Dance
- Level IV in Ballet and Jazz Dance
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 428 (modern dance technique VI).
- Wellness: Apply dance wellness principles in the areas of performance, teaching, and choreography.
Related Links
Curriculum Guide
GPA Requirement
Major GPA: 3.0 or higher
Overall GPA: 2.0 or higher
Summary*
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Rock Studies 2 Requirements | 42 | |
| Other Basic Requirements | 0-3 | |
| Major/Concentration Requirements | 78 | |
* 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.
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/Concentration Requirements
- 40 major credits must be taken at SRU or PASSHE
- 40 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 300 | Dance Composition II 1 | 3 |
| DANC 301 | Dances of Selected Cultures | 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 1,2 | 1 |
| DANC 419 | Dance in Contemporary Times 1 | 3 |
| DANC 420 | Modern Dance Technique: Level IV 1 | 2 |
| DANC 424 | Contemporary Partnering 1 | 2 |
| DANC 425 | Senior Capstone I: Dance Research 1 | 3 |
| DANC 426 | Modern Dance Technique: Level V 1 | 2 |
| DANC 428 | Modern Dance Technique: Level VI 1 | 2 |
| DANC 430 | BFA Capstone II: Performance, Choreography, and Entrepreneurship 1 | 3 |
| Subtotal | 50 | |
| Additional Advanced Technique Proficiency | ||
| DANC 421 | Ballet IV 1 | 2 |
| DANC 422 | Jazz Dance IV 1 | 2 |
| Subtotal | 4 | |
| Historical Perspectives and Experimental Approaches: | ||
| Select two of the following: 3 | 6 | |
| Dance Technology 1 | ||
| Society and Social Dance 1 | ||
| Dance in the Political World 1 | ||
| Experimental 1 | ||
| Subtotal | 6 | |
| Performance and Choreography Concentration: | ||
| Select up to 18 credits from a combination of the following courses (at least 2 credits must come from the Rehearsal and Production and Repertory block): 4 | 18 | |
| Modern III-VI | ||
| Modern Dance Technique: Level III 5 | ||
| Modern Dance Technique: Level IV 5 | ||
| Modern Dance Technique: Level V 5 | ||
| Modern Dance Technique: Level VI 5 | ||
| Ballet III-IV | ||
| Ballet III 5 | ||
| Ballet IV 5 | ||
| Jazz III-IV | ||
| Jazz Dance III 5 | ||
| Jazz Dance IV 5 | ||
| Rehearsal and Performance, and Repertory | ||
| At least 2 credits must come from this block: | ||
| Dance Rehearsal and Production (Repeatable up to 4 credits) | ||
| Repertory (Repeatable up to 6 credits) | ||
| Dance Rehearsal and Production (Repeatable up to 4 credits) | ||
| Electives: | ||
| Dance Technology | ||
| Society and Social Dance | ||
| Dance in the Political World | ||
| Dance Internship | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Workshop | ||
| Subtotal | 18 | |
| Total Hours | 78 | |
- 1
Course counts for 50% of Major requirements and Major GPA
- 2
Taken concurrently with DANC 323.
- 3
- 4
One must be DANC 430.
- 5
May only count once in this block
- *
Some courses may require pre-requisites. Please see course descriptions to determine if there are any pre-requisites for that specific course.
Concentration in Performance and Choreography (PECH)
All BFA students must be enrolled in a minimum of one technique class per day each 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 professional degree programs. By the end of the final year, BFA Performance and Choreography students must demonstrate the following technical proficiency requirements:
- Level VI in Modern Dance
- Level IV in Ballet and Jazz Dance
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 - BFA (5355)
Concentration in Performance and Choreography (PECH)
This program is effective as of Fall 2020.
Revision date: 05.24.2023
UCC 10.16.2021
Recommended Four-Year Plan
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| DANC 101 | Wellness for Dancers | 3 |
| DANC 220 | Modern Dance Technique: Level II | 2 |
| DANC 221 | Ballet II | 2 |
| DANC 222 | Jazz Dance II | 2 |
| ENGL 102 | Critical Writing | 3 |
| SUBJ 139 | Foundations of Academic Discovery 1 | 3 |
| Creative & Aesthetic Inquiry | 3 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Spring | ||
| DANC 216 | Principles of Dance Production | 3 |
| DANC 220 | Modern Dance Technique: Level II | 2 |
| DANC 221 | Ballet II | 2 |
| DANC 224 | Improvisation | 3 |
| DANC 299 | Dance Rehearsal and Production | 1 |
| ENGL 104 | Critical Reading | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice | ||
| Ethics and Civil Discourse | ||
| Civil Discourse and Democracy | ||
| Computer Competency Requirement | 0-1 | |
| Hours | 17-18 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| DANC 200 | Dance Composition I | 3 |
| DANC 301 | Dances of Selected Cultures | 2 |
| DANC 320 | Modern Dance Technique: Level III | 2 |
| DANC 321 | Ballet III (Elective) | 2 |
| MATH 117 | Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| SCI 101 | Science of Life | 3 |
| Humanities Inquiry | 3 | |
| Declare a Thematic Thread 2 | ||
| Hours | 18 | |
| Spring | ||
| DANC 199 | LMA/Performance Techniques | 3 |
| DANC 320 | Modern Dance Technique: Level III | 2 |
| DANC 321 | Ballet III | 2 |
| DANC 322 | Jazz Dance III | 2 |
| DANC 324 | Music for Dance | 3 |
| SCI 102 | Understanding the Physical World | 3 |
| Select one of the following: 3 | 1-3 | |
| Society and Social Dance | ||
| Experimental | ||
| Hours | 16-18 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| DANC 300 | Dance Composition II | 3 |
| DANC 399 | Repertory | 2 |
| DANC 420 | Modern Dance Technique: Level IV | 2 |
| DANC 421 | Ballet IV (Concentration Requirement) | 2 |
| DANC 424 | Contemporary Partnering | 2 |
| DANC 499 | Dance Rehearsal and Production | 1 |
| Select one of the following: 3 | 1-3 | |
| Dance Technology | ||
| Dance in the Political World | ||
| Social Science Inquiry | 3 | |
| Hours | 16-18 | |
| Spring | ||
| DANC 321 or DANC 421 |
Ballet III or Ballet IV |
2 |
| DANC 322 or DANC 422 |
Jazz Dance III or Jazz Dance IV |
2 |
| DANC 223 | Creative Dance for Children | 3 |
| DANC 326 | Dance Kinesiology | 3 |
| DANC 419 | Dance in Contemporary Times | 3 |
| DANC 420 | Modern Dance Technique: Level IV | 2 |
| Thematic Thread Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| DANC 271 | Dance Technology | 3 |
| DANC 323 | Teaching of Dance | 3 |
| DANC 350 | Field Experience in Dance Technique | 1 |
| DANC 421 | Ballet IV (Advanced Technique Proficiency Requirement) | 2 |
| DANC 425 | Senior Capstone I: Dance Research | 3 |
| DANC 426 | Modern Dance Technique: Level V | 2 |
| DANC 499 | Dance Rehearsal and Production | 1 |
| Thematic Thread Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Spring | ||
| DANC 421 | Ballet IV | 2 |
| DANC 422 | Jazz Dance IV (Advanced Technique Proficiency Requirement) | 2 |
| DANC 428 | Modern Dance Technique: Level VI (Advanced Technique Proficiency Requirement) | 2 |
| DANC 430 | BFA Capstone II: Performance, Choreography, and Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| DANC 499 | Dance Rehearsal and Production | 1 |
| Select one of the following (if needed as elective): | 0-3 | |
| Dance Internship | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Workshop | ||
| Thematic Thread Requirement | 3 | |
| Hours | 13-16 | |
| Total Hours** | 134-142 | |
- 1
Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.
- 2
Work with your Academic Adviser to declare a Thematic Thread by the end of your fall semester in your second year.
- 3
In addition, majors must complete two of the following courses: DANC 271 (Offered in Fall Semester) DANC 305 (Offered in Spring Semester), DANC 318 (Offered in Fall semester of even years), and/or DANC 390. Please work with your academic adviser to plan accordingly.
- The BFA in dance major 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 dance major program. NOTE: DANC 305 is offered in Spring Semesters; DANC 318 is offered in Fall semesters of even years.
- All BFA students must progressively develop technical competencies and reach proficiency standards in Modern Dance to the highest Level of DANC 428-Modern VI in order to graduate. Additionally, BFA-PECH students must reach level IV proficiency in Ballet and Jazz techniques.
- 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 professional undergraduate 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
Concentration Code: PECH
Revision date: 03.26.2024