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Department of DANCE
SCHOOL OF VISUAL ARTS AND DANCE
The Department of Dance offers work leading to the bachelor of fine arts (BFA) degree in dance. The program is based upon the central premise that art and education are both extensions of the total humanistic endeavor. No conflict, therefore, is seen to exist between dance as education and dance as an art form. The curriculum is designed to prepare the student who wishes to enter dance as a profession.
Of the many professional avenues in which dance can be pursued and practiced, the following constitute the emphasis of the undergraduate major curriculum at this University: performance and choreography. The theoretical aspects of dance (pedagogical, historic, aesthetic) are also stressed; it is anticipated that teaching will be part of the professional dance life.
To fulfill the purpose of the program, the faculty consists of outstanding artist-teachers and scholars who are committed to the model of intensive professional training within the context of a broad University education. A full production schedule offers extensive opportunities for repertory study, performance, and choreography, complemented by work with guest choreographers and visiting lecturers. Part of the departments mission is to serve as a regional repertory center for the reconstruction and production of dance masterworks and the creation of original repertory. The programs facilities include spacious studios and The Nancy Smith Fichter Dance Theatre.
In addition to the dance major degree program, the department offers some liberal studies course work and elective course work for the general University student. The department also offers work leading to the master of fine arts (MFA) degree. Interested students should consult the Graduate Bulletin for details.
The Florida State University Department of Dance is an accredted institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Dance.
Audition and Screening
All undergraduate students who wish to major in dance must audition for admission into the dance major program. Auditions are held at designated periods throughout the year.
Assessment of every dance major occurs at various times throughout each year to evaluate the students progress in the major program. Such assessment is part of a continuous advisement and monitoring procedure. A probationary period may be established if a student is having difficulty and needs special attention. A student who cannot meet the departmental proficiency standards will be discontinued from the dance major program.
Placement and Proficiency
Intrinsic to the development of a dancer is the technical command of the instrument and the expansion of the vocabulary of movement; therefore, dance majors are continually assessed during their curricular experiences in order to be placed at the correct level of studio work in dance technique. All students are assigned an appropriate placement level in ballet and contemporary dance upon entrance into the program and must maintain continuous participation in ballet and contemporary dance technique classes throughout enrollment in the curriculum. Students who demonstrate the skill necessary for the next level of work upon completion of a studio technique course will be permitted to enroll at the next level. If not, they will be expected to continue in designated courses at their level of technique until they are ready to advance. To meet graduation requirements, the student must achieve and maintain the ballet III level and the contemporary dance II level or the contemporary dance III level and the ballet II level; the advanced proficiency level (III) must be achieved by one semester prior to graduation.
Performance
The dance major is required to participate in a minimum of three performing experiences sponsored by the department.
Florida Teacher Certification in Dance
A program will be designed for the student who wishes K-12 teacher certification in dance.
Liberal Studies
All students working toward a degree in dance are required to meet the liberal studies requirements.
State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites
The State of Florida has identified common course prerequisites for this University degree program. These prerequisites are lower-level courses that are required for preparation for the University major prior to a student receiving a baccalaureate degree from The Florida State University. They may be taken either at a community college or in a university lower-division program. It is preferred that these common course prerequisites be completed in the freshman and sophomore years.
The following lists the common prerequisites or approved substitutions necessary for this degree program:
Dance-B.F.A. Track
Any twenty-four (24) semester hours from the following thirty (30) semester hours will be accepted toward the major:
Note: although credit toward the major will be given for these, placement in upper level technique classes will continue to be based on individual student proficiency.
Minimum Requirements for the BFA in Dance
Total: One hundred twenty-eight (128) semester hours.
The applicability of previous course work to dance curricular requirements is assessed and determined by the Department of Dance. A transfer student need not earn the maximum semester hours in dance technique but must fulfill the curricular requirement of maintaining continuous participation in ballet and contemporary dance throughout enrollment in the curriculum and must achieve and maintain the required technical proficiency levels.
Undergraduate dance majors need not earn the maximum semester hours in dance technique if they are able to complete successfully all other University and departmental course requirements for graduation and if they have achieved the required technical proficiency levels prior to accumulation of the maximum hours in technique.
Honors in the Major
The Department of Dance offers a program in honors in the major to encourage talented juniors and seniors to undertake independent and original research or creative work. For requirements and other information, see the University Honors Program and Honor Societies section of this General Bulletin.
Definition of Prefixes
DAA - Dance Activities
DAE - Dance Education
DAN - Dance
Undergraduate Courses
DAN 3930r.Special Topics in Dance (1-3). Prerequisites: Vary depending on topic. Topics may vary from term to term. May be repeated to a maximum of nine (9) semester hours.
DAN 4900r.Honors Study in Dance (3-6). Admission to honors in dance program required. Written thesis for creative or academic research done as part of the honors in dance program. May be repeated to a maximum of six (6) semester hours.
Dance Technique
Ballet
DAA 1200r. Beginning Ballet I-Nonmajors (2). Each course may be repeated to a maximum of six (6) semester hours.
DAA 1201r.Beginning Ballet II-Nonmajors (2). Faculty placement or permission of instructor required. Each course may be repeated to a maximum of six (6) semester hours.
DAA 1202r.Beginning Ballet III-Nonmajors (2). Faculty placement or permission of instructor required. Each course may be repeated to a maximum of six (6) semester hours.
DAA 2203r. Intermediate Ballet-Nonmajors (2). Faculty placement or permission of instructor required. May be repeated to a maximum of twelve (12) semester hours.
DAA 3204r++. Ballet I (1-3). Majors only. Faculty placement or permission of instructor required. May be repeated to a maximum of twelve (12) semester hours.
DAA 3205r++. Ballet II (1-3). Majors only. Faculty placement or permission of instructor required. May be repeated to a maximum of twenty-four (24) semester hours.
DAA 4206r++. Ballet III (1-3). Majors only. Faculty placement or permission of instructor required. May be repeated to a maximum of twenty-four (24) semester hours.
Contemporary Dance
DAA 1100r.Beginning Contemporary Dance INonmajors (2). Each course may be repeated to a maximum of six (6) semester hours.
DAA 1101r.Beginning Contemporary Dance II-Nonmajors (2). Faculty placement or permission of instructor required. Each course may be repeated to a maximum of six (6) semester hours.
DAA 1102r.Beginning Contemporary Dance III-Nonmajors (2). Faculty placement or permission of instructor required. Each course may be repeated to a maximum of six (6) semester hours.
DAA 2103r. Intermediate Contemporary DanceNonmajors (2). Faculty placement or permission of instructor required. May be repeated to a maximum of twelve (12) semester hours.
DAA 3104r++. Contemporary Dance I (1-3). Majors only. Faculty placement or permission of instructor required. May be repeated to a maximum of twelve (12) semester hours.
DAA 3105r++. Contemporary Dance II (1-3). Majors only. Faculty placement or permission of instructor required. May be repeated to a maximum of twenty-four (24) semester hours.
DAA 4106r++. Contemporary Dance III (1-3). Majors only. Faculty placement or permission of instructor required. May be repeated to a maximum of twenty-four (24) semester hours.
Aspects of Dance Performance
DAA 1490r++. Dance Theatre (1). Majors only. Special studio sessions and coaching in designated aspects of dance performance. For freshman enrollment. May be repeated to a maximum of two (2) semester hours.
DAA 1950r.Dance Ensemble (1). (S/U grade only.) Experience in dance ensemble and performance work. Official casting and faculty approval required. May be repeated to a maximum of three (3) semester hours.
DAA 2491r. Dance Theatre (1). Majors only. Special studio sessions and coaching in designated aspects of dance performance. For sophomore enrollment. May be repeated to a maximum of two (2) semester hours.
DAA 2951r.Dance Ensemble (1). (S/U grade only.) Experience in dance ensemble and performance work. Offical casting and faculty approval required. May be repeated to a maximum of three (3) semester hours.
DAA 3482r. Dance Performance (1-2). Majors only. Preparation and public performance of selected roles in dance repertory. Official casting and faculty approval required. May be repeated to a maximum of sixteen (16) semester hours.
DAA 3492r. Dance Theatre (1). Majors only. Special studio sessions and coaching in designated aspects of dance performance. For junior enrollment. May be repeated to a maximum of two (2) semester hours.
DAA 3952r.Dance Ensemble (1). (S/U grade only.) Experience in dance ensemble and performance work. Official casting and faculty approval required. May be repeated to a maximum of three (3) semester hours.
DAA 4493r. Dance Theatre (1). Majors only. Special studio sessions and coaching in designated aspects of dance theatre. For senior enrollment. May be repeated to a maximum of two (2) semester hours.
DAA 4953r.Dance Ensemble (1). (S/U grade only.) Experience in dance ensemble and performance work. Official casting and faculty approval required. May be repeated to a maximum of three (3) semester hours.
Dance Composition and Repertory
DAA 2700-2701.Dance Composition [two (2) hours each]. Majors only. Prerequisite: DAN 2600. Exploration of basic rhythmic, spatial, and dynamic materials in the designing of dance movements; improvisation and exploration of various ideological and aesthetic sources.
DAA 2702. Dance Composition (2). Prerequisite: DAA 2701. Study of choreographic forms and structures, musical forms, extended temporal and dynamic studies, components of dramatic and stylistic forms.
DAA 3400r. Choreography-Repertory (2). The study and practice of selected works of dance repertory. May be repeated to a maximum of sixteen (16) semester hours. Consent of instructor required.
DAA 4703. Dance Composition (3). Prerequisite: DAA 2702. Extended choreographic project: production of an extended choreographic work. Consent of instructor required.
Rhythmic and Musical Theory
DAN 2600. Rhythmic Analysis (3). Analysis of rhythmic structures and their relationship to dance form and composition.
DAN 2601. Music and Choreography (3). Prerequisite: DAN 2600. Analysis of various elements of music with relationship to dance performance and/or choreography.
Notation and Movement Analysis
DAA 2920.Dance Conditioning (1). Corequisites: DAN 3712, or instructor permission. Studio laboratory for concepts in movement theory and body alignment.
DAN 3420. Labanotation (5). Prerequisite: DAN 2600. Beginning through intermediate skills are introduced and developed. Theoretical materials in labanotation are examined with emphasis on writing and developing reading skills.
DAN 3712. Movement Theory and Body Alignment (3). The study of movement theories and body alignment for the technical aspects of dance performance.
Dance Production
DAN 3500. Dance Production (2). Study of technical aspects of production. Permission of instructor required.
DAN 3590r. Dance Theatre Laboratory (1). Assigned problems in connection with current dance theatre production. May be repeated to a maximum of four (4) semester hours.
History and Theory of Dance
DAN 2100. Introduction to History and Appreciation of Dance (3). Non-dance majors. A survey of the development of dance in human culture with emphasis on dance as an art form. The major periods of dance history, choreographic masterworks, and artists in choreography and performance will be explored through readings, discussion, media presentation, live performances, and movement laboratories. No prior dance experience is required. Applicable to Area IV of the liberal studies requirement.
DAN 3113, 3114, 3115.History and Philosophy of Dance [three (3) hours each]. 3113-Origins and development of dance; ritual and social components of dance; dance in early cultures. 3114-Evolution of dance as a theatrical art form; ballet history. 3115-Dance in contemporary times. Three (3) semester hours may be applied to Area IV of liberal studies requirements.
Pedagogy
DAE 3300. Methods and Materials in Dance Education (3). Approved fieldwork teaching experience required prior to or concurrent with enrollment.
Directed Individual Study
DAN 4905r. Directed Individual Study (1-3). May be repeated to a maximum of twelve (12) semester hours.
Graduate Courses
DAA 5115r. Contemporary Dance (1-3).
DAA 5215r. Ballet (1-3).
DAA 5485r. Dance Performance (1-2).
DAA 5494r. Dance Theatre (1).
DAA 5706. Choreography (3).
DAA 5716r. Choreographic Project (2-6). (S/U grade only.)
DAA 5954r. Dance Ensemble (1). (S/U grade only.)
DAN 5173. Theory of Dance (3).
DAN 5510. Visual Design for Choreography (3).
DAN 5595. Theory of Dance Performance and Directing (3).
DAN 5795. Theory and Practice in Dance Technique (3).
DAN 5906r. Directed Individual Study (2-3).
DAN 5910. Supervised Research (2). (S/U grade only.)
DAN 5930r. Seminar Studies in Dance History and Research (3).
DAN 5935r. Special Topics in Dance (1-3).
DAN 5972r. Creative Thesis: Graduate Concert (2-6). (S/U grade only.)
For listings relating to masters examinations and defense, consult the Graduate Bulletin.
DEMOGRAPHY: see Population, Center for the Study of (Graduate Bulletin)
DEVELOPING AREAS, PLANNING FOR: see Urban and Regional Planning
DIETETICS: see Nutrition, Food, and Movement Sciences
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION: see Educational Theory and Practice
ECOLOGY: see Biological Science