Dance – Major/Minor
For information, contact Robin Gerchman.
The dance program at Cedar Crest provides multiple perspectives and experiences
for understanding dance as a discipline. The basis for dance is movement as
universal language and symbol system for acquiring knowledge. Emphasis is
placed on how dance connects with other disciplines within the liberal arts.
Students majoring in dance choose electives in psychology, business or theatre
which help them focus their curriculum and prepare them for graduate study or
careers after graduation. Three departmental concerns and numerous student
concerts are produced annually featuring students, faculty and alumnae.
Steinbright Dance Studio hosts most of the dance technique classes with
concerns held in the Abram Samuels Theatre. The Cedar Crest Dance Company
features dancers at the college who are studying ballet, jazz, tap and modern,
many from diverse majors across the campus. The dance program is open to all
students regardless of major. A grade of C or better is required in all courses
taken for application toward all major requirements in the performing arts.
Competencies and Assessment in Dance
1. An initial assessment of each student's prior skills and experience is done
upon declaring the major in dance. A written assessment is placed in their
file.
2. Attendance at the First Friday Performing Arts Noon Series is required each
term for declared majors. Presentations are required once each year. All
presentations are expected to be works in progress and can be drawn from class
work or independent work. Additionally, all performing arts majors are required
for graduation to attend a minimum of eight cultural events at Cedar Crest (2
in each area: art gallery openings or talks, music concerts, dance concerts,
and theatre productions). Advisors keep a written record of students'
attendance.
3. Junior and senior dance majors are required to register for advanced
technique classes.
4. Students are expected to be familiar by graduation with the major
choreographers, styles and periods.
5. Mid-year reviews are conducted for all dance majors. Reviews take place during
FNA 100. All majors are expected to meet with the departmental faculty to review their
progress from class work to performance. Failure to comply will require the
student to submit a five page analysis of her work to date. Mid-year reviews
are required for certification.
6. By spring of the junior year, students submit project proposals for approval.
All majors are expected to make an oral presentation on a designated First
Friday briefly presenting the progress and plans for their project in spring of
the junior year.
Senior Project: All majors must produce a major creative project in order to graduate. Students present a project proposal for departmental approval and seek an advisor for the project by May 1. No projects proceed without departmental approval. This project is included in Fine Arts 353.
Senior Project: All majors must produce a major creative project in order to graduate. Students present a project proposal for departmental approval and seek an advisor for the project by May 1. No projects proceed without departmental approval. This project is included in Fine Arts 353.
7. Graduating seniors will participate in exit interviews with departmental
faculty. This major requires the completion of the performing arts core courses
plus the completion of the major requirements.
Requirements for the Dance Major
Performing Arts Core Curriculum (21 credits)
CIS 101 Technology for the Information Age 3 credits
DNC 102 Experiencing Movement I 3 credits
FNA 100 First Friday 1 credit
FNA 252 Fine Arts Seminar 3 credits
FNA 353 Senior Project (2 x 3) 6 credits
MUS 101 Experiencing Music 3 credits
PHI 217 Aesthetics 3 credits
THS 100 Experiencing Theatre 3 credits
plus
THS 105 Public Speaking 3 credits
or
THS 106 Forensic Speech Team 1 credit
or
THS 109 Prose & Poetry: Oral Interpretation 3 credits
Students complete the performing arts core plus the following requirements
DNC 104 Experiencing Movement II 3 credits
DNC 226 Dance Improvisation 3 credits
DNC 321 Dance Composition II 3 credits
DNC 235 History of Dance 3 credits
DNC 236 Cultural Dynamics of Movement 3 credits
DNC 237 History of Dance II 3 credits
DNC 280 Dance Pedagogy 3 credits
DNC 320 Dance Composition 3 credits
NTR Any Nutrition Course 1-3 credits
DNC Technique Classes* (18 credits total)
plus
BIO 117 Human Anatomy & Physiology 4 credits
or
BIO 260 Kinesiology 4 credits
*Students must complete 3 credits of ballet dance technique at intermediate and
advanced levels and 3 credits of intermediate and advanced levels in modem
technique. Additional courses in tap and jazz may also be completed at the
intermediate or advanced levels to fulfill technique requirements. Total
technique credits required: 18.
Plus Choose three of the following classes
ACC 101 Financial Accounting 3 credits
BUA 110 Principles of Management 3 credits
BUA 300 Writing for Management 3 credits
EDU 100 American Education 3 credits
PSY 201 Optimal Wellness 3 credits
PSY 224 Women in the Workplace 3 credits
PSY 250 Lifespan Development 3 credits
PSY 309 Abnormal Psychology 3 credits
PSY 351 Theories of Personality 3 credits
THS 150 Stagecraft 3 credits
THS 201 Beginning Acting 3 credits
THS 202 Acting II 3 credits
THS 251 Practicum 3 credits
THS 335 Creative Drama in Education 3 credits
Requirements for the Dance Minor (22 credits)
DNC 102 Experiencing Movement I 3 credits
DNC 104 Experiencing Movement II 3 credits
DNC 115 Human Movement Potential 1 credit
DNC 235 History of Dance I 3 credits
DNC237 History of Dance II 3 credits
DNC 320 Dance Composition 3 credits
MUS 101 Experiencing Music 3 credits
THS 100 Experiencing Theatre 3 credits