Conceptually guided, spontaneous movement generation and invention reached through individual and group experiences will occur in this course. The class is appropriate for students with no prior movement experience.

GEP Visual and Performing Arts

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

Dance and Society examines dance as an artistic, religious, cultural, and social form, including historic and aesthetic influences, basic dance elements, and relationship to other arts. This course incorporates multiple modalities of dance knowledge - lectures, films, demonstrations, and practical dance experience. A small fee may be required for concert attendance.

GEP Visual and Performing Arts, GEP Global Knowledge

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

This course will introduce the basics of hula hooping. We will explore the different cultural histories of the hoop and how that compares to the commercialized version of hula hooping we will learn. Students will gain the essential skills for both on and off body hooping, how to make a hoop, what materials can be used and the benefits of each. We will also discuss the mental and physical health benefits of hula hooping.

GEP Health and Exercise Studies

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

Development of beginning level skill of East and West African dances, including history, culture, and context, emphasizing the central role that dance plays in African cultures.

GEP Global Knowledge, GEP Health and Exercise Studies

Typically offered in Fall only

Development of intermediate level skills in traditional and contemporary African dances with clear distinction between different African regions. Emphasis will be placed on culture, history, community and theoretical aspects of each dance.

Corequisite: HESD 227 (African Dance I)

GEP Global Knowledge, GEP Health and Exercise Studies

Typically offered in Fall only

This course covers the development of beginning and intermediate-level skills in Horton dance technique, including alignment, vocabulary, performance, and history, with emphasis on strengthening the body for dance. Class format will include dance practice and performance (warm-up exercises, fortifications, studies, traveling combinations, and choreographic works) and the in-depth study (through readings, videos, and discussions) of Lester Horton's career and influence in the modern dance field. Particular emphasis is placed on Horton's relation to racial integration in concert dance, the effects of World War II and the associated Red Scare on his work, and the formation of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater by former Horton student Alvin Ailey.

GEP U.S. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, GEP U.S. Diversity, GEP Visual and Performing Arts

Typically offered in Fall only

Dance on screen will be explored in many facets including the history of dance on film, the trajectory of the art form, and current practices made possible by new technologies. We will watch and discuss a variety of videos showcasing dance which may include movie musicals and music videos, choreography for the camera projects, dance films, dance in social media and in online worlds, virtual and augmented reality dancing, and interactive applications of dance on screen. In addition to watching and discussing dance on screen, we will dive into the technical skills of screendance production, exploring the choreography of the subject, the camera, and the edit in individual and group projects.

GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives, GEP Visual and Performing Arts

Typically offered in Fall only

This course is the development of beginning-level skills in country dance including vocabulary, technique, history, and performance. A variety of fundamentals for leading and following, combinations, figures, and calls will be emphasized in American Heritage Dance, Texas Two-step, and Western Square Dance.

GEP Health and Exercise Studies

Typically offered in Spring only

Development of beginning-level skills in social dance, including vocabulary, technique, history, performance, with emphasis on leading and following in the : Cha-Cha, Foxtrot, Waltz, Rumba, and Shag.

GEP Health and Exercise Studies

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

This course will focus on training students to understand and perform more complex dances in an improvisational environment. Emphasis will be on learning advanced level dance steps and combinations that are more challenging or complex social dances not currently offered in the beginning level class. Dances taught will differ from semester to semester.

Prerequisite: HESD 240 or equivalent skills

GEP Health and Exercise Studies

Typically offered in Spring only

This course introduces students to the physical, social, communal, historical, and cultural aspects of Hip-hop dance. Students might have to provide transportation and/or pay a minimal cost for a performance not to exceed $15.

GEP Health and Exercise Studies, GEP Visual and Performing Arts

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

This course provides students with an intermediate level experience with the physical, social, communal, historical, and cultural aspects of Hip-hop dance. Emphasis will be on learning specific styles of Hip-hop, and delving into issues such as appropriation, commercialization, and community. Students might have to provide transportation and/or pay a minimal cost for a performance not to exceed $15.

Prerequisite: DAN 260

GEP Health and Exercise Studies, GEP U.S. Diversity

Typically offered in Spring only

This beginning-level technique class covers basic tap dance skills in warm-up exercises, combinations, and compositions. Emphasis is placed on correct alignment in tap dance steps and the exploration of a variety of rhythms and patterns.

GEP Health and Exercise Studies

Typically offered in Spring only

Development of beginning-level technical skills in ballet, including vocabulary, technique, history, performance, alignment, function and access of turnout, with emphasis on safe and efficient body use.

GEP Health and Exercise Studies

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

Further development of Ballet technique building on fundamental concepts and vocabulary introduced in Ballet I. Will include increased movement capabilities, rhythmic accuracy, alignment, performance, and access of turnout. A small fee may be required for dance concert attendance.

Prerequisite: HESD 264 or Instructor Permission

GEP Health and Exercise Studies, GEP Visual and Performing Arts

Typically offered in Fall only

This course introduces principles of dance composition through creative problem solving. Course content includes: movement invention; creation of a thematic phrase; manipulation and development of theme through application of choreographic devices; structure; and content. Student will create and perform a complete solo choreographic work in the course.

Prerequisite: DAN 120

GEP Visual and Performing Arts

Typically offered in Fall only

This beginning-level technique class covers basic jazz dance skills in warm-up exercises, combinations, and compositions. A variety of jazz styles are covered including one or more of the following: classical (Luigi/Giordano), Broadway, contemporary, Afro-jazz, and others.

GEP Health and Exercise Studies

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

Development of beginning-level technical skills and movement concepts in modern dance, including vocabulary, technique, history, performance, and alignment, with emphasis on safe and efficient body use. Class format will include structured exercises and improvisations. A small fee may be required for dance concert attendance.

GEP Health and Exercise Studies

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

Further development of modern dance technique, building on fundamental movement concepts and vocabulary introduced in Modern Dance I. Will include increased movement capabilities, rhythmic accuracy, and spatial relationships. A small fee may be required for dance concert attendance.

Prerequisite: HESD/DAN 274 (or permission of instructor)

GEP Health and Exercise Studies

Typically offered in Fall only

Further development of jazz dance technique building on fundamental concepts and vocabulary introduced in Jazz Dance I. Will include increased movement capabilities, rhythmic accuracy, alignment, and performance. A small fee may be required for dance concert attendance.

Prerequisite: HESD 273 or Instructor Permission

GEP Health and Exercise Studies, GEP Visual and Performing Arts

Typically offered in Spring only

This course will emphasize the practice of the eight limbs of yoga at an introductory level. Coursework will include the study of yoga culture, breathing exercises, meditation techniques, and a variety of yogasanas (postures): standing, twisting, balancing, forward bending, backward bending, and inversions. Students will develop the skills required to perform these postures and maintain a safe yoga practice.

GEP Health and Exercise Studies

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

This course will build upon material introduced in Yoga I by emphasizing the practice of yoga at an intermediate level. Coursework will require a deeper level of understanding of a variety of yoga postures, breathing techniques, and meditation practices. Yoga philosophy will also be addressed through the study of historical yogic texts.

Prerequisite: DAN 279

GEP Health and Exercise Studies

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

This course will teach the fundamentals of Pilates. Coursework includes the study of essential practices for an effective Pilates practice, beginning and intermediate Pilates Mat exercises, anatomy, and Pilates history and philosophy. Students will develop the skills required to safely perform Pilates exercises and maintain a personal Pilates practice.

GEP Health and Exercise Studies

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

Designed for the advanced dancer, this course offers a rigorous examination of technique, integrating vocabulary from a variety of movement styles and forms. The course is co-taught by experts in different dance forms.

Corequisites: DAN 210 or DAN 295 or instructor permission

GEP Health and Exercise Studies

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

Examination of selected topics in dance. May be repeated for credit provided course content is different each time.

Typically offered in Fall only

This course is designed as a series of master classes taught by guest artists who are experts in their fields. A variety of dance disciplines will be offered to develop students' cognitive and technical approaches to dance. Students will refine a verbal vocabulary for analyzing movement, improve technical skills in variety of dance forms and identify relationships between different techniques. Must be concurrently enrolled in DAN 210 or 295; or instructor permission.

Must be concurrently enrolled in DAN 210 or 295; or instructor permission

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

Introduction to the basic concepts of dance performance. Includes beginning experience with the rehearsal process, learning dance works, and preparation for a performance. Students will be provided the opportunity to perform for a live audience and to collaborate with and perform for peers within the class.

Restriction: Enrollment is by audition or instructor permission

GEP Visual and Performing Arts

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

Panoramic Dance Project is dedicated to creating a vibrant and supportive environment that encourages students to challenge themselves and explore their unique voice, agency, and artistic abilities. Students will learn various dance styles, including modern, tap, jazz, hip-hop, African, and Latin, participate in community outreach activities, and perform on and off campus. Panoramic is a year commitment. Students will be required to register for both the fall and spring semesters.

Enrollment by Audition or permission of instructor, Corequisite: DAN 228, or DAN 241, or DAN 261, or DAN 265, or DAN 275, or DAN 276, or DAN 285

GEP Visual and Performing Arts

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

The State Dance Company is dedicated to the creation and performance of process-focused, research based, dance works in styles including modern, contemporary, modern jazz, and dance theatre. To support the student's performance education this course includes the study of dance theory, dance technique, and performance development. Students will perform in formal and informal concerts both on and off campus.

Restriction: Enrollment by audition only/permission of instructor; Corequisite: DAN 228, or DAN 241, or DAN 261, or DAN 265, or DAN 275, or DAN 276, or DAN 285

GEP Visual and Performing Arts

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

This course provides direct experience in theory, practice, and performance of site-specific dance for members of the Terrain Dance Project. Terrain Dance Project is dedicated to the creation and performance of choreographed and improvised dance works in nontraditional spaces, including dance film projects. Instruction includes movement theory, improvisation, performance processes, and current practices in site-specific dance and screendance. Choreographic content varies each semester. Course is restricted to members of the Terrain Dance Project, selected by audition.

Restriction: Open by audition only

GEP Visual and Performing Arts

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

Dance and Society examines dance as an artistic, religious, cultural, and social form, including historic and aesthetic influences, basic dance elements, and relationship to other arts. This course incorporates multiple modalities of dance knowledge - lectures, films, demonstrations, and practical dance experience. A small fee may be required for concert attendance.

GEP Global Knowledge, GEP Visual and Performing Arts

Typically offered in Fall only

An overview of the development of Western theatrical dance in the United States. This course introduces the major figures and movement theories of the 19th & 20th Centuries with particular emphasis on major stylistic trends and cultural influences. Readings, discussions, lectures, and films/videotapes will introduce selected choreographers and the concerns that inform their work. Additional readings in dance philosophy and aesthetics will address ideas such as form, expression, audience expectations, and performance conventions.

GEP U.S. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, GEP U.S. Diversity, GEP Visual and Performing Arts

Typically offered in Spring only

Critical and contextual examination of current trends in dance. While specific readings and video resources will vary by semester as the field of dance continues to change, major course topics will include at least three of the following: the role of dance supporters and presenters, media influences, non-concert and site-specific dance, current movement trends, political significance, and international concerns.

GEP Visual and Performing Arts

Typically offered in Fall only

This course builds on skills and concepts learned in Movement Improvisation. Various approaches to group choreography will be discussed and explored. A student-choreographed group work will be created and performed.

Prerequisite: HESM 320

GEP Visual and Performing Arts

Typically offered in Spring only

This course is offered alternate odd years

An introduction to Laban Movement Analysis (LMA) and Bartenieff Fundamentals (BF) through movement integration, observation, notation, analysis, and application. LMA is a method and language for describing, visualizing, interpreting, and documenting all varieties of human movement. It consists of the study of four major components: Body, Effort, Shape and Space, the relationships between them, and ways of notating them. BF consists of a set of concepts, principles and exercises developed by Irmgard Bartenieff in applying Laban's movement theory to the physical/kinesiological functioning of the human body. LMA/BF is used by dancers, actors, musicians, and dance therapists, among others.

Typically offered in Spring only

This course is offered alternate odd years

The exploration of dance creation, performance, documentation, practice, and analysis through existing and emerging practices in technology and interactive media. Coursework will include working with audio, animation, prerecorded video, and live-captured media through Isadora, a real-time media manipulation tool for performance and visual artists.

GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives

Typically offered in Spring only

This course fosters the creation, development, and performance of innovative choreographic works from proposal to production.

Prerequisites: DAN 272 or DAN 328

Typically offered in Fall only

A 30-hour practical experience in the dance field. Assigned internships could include dance teaching, performing, choreographing, research, or other dance-related work dependent upon the student's experiences and interests. Specific placement will be determined by the student and the instructor. Students are required to purchase internship liability insurance to participate in the practicum; the fee is automatically charged upon registration. Contact University Insurance & Risk Management for more details.

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

Directed independent study of selected topics for students with specialized interests in dance. Credit and content determined by faculty member. Individualized/Independent Study and Research courses require a "Course Agreement for Students Enrolled in Non-Standard Courses" be completed by the student and faculty member prior to registration by the department. Dance Program approval required.

Typically offered in Fall only

This course serves as required capstone project for the Dance Performance and Choreography Certificate. With approval and direction of instructor or Certificate coordinator, students engage in independent study project in choreography or performance. This course fosters the creation, performance, and production of innovative choreographic works and performance that demonstrate content through new and intellectualized choreographic processes and structures and performance processes.

Students must be a candidate for the Dance Performance and Choreography Certificate. Permission of instructor or certificate coordinator.

Typically offered in Fall only