University Catalog 2023-2024

Dance (DAN)

DAN 120  Movement Improvisation  (2 credit hours)  

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

DAN 210  Current Trends in Afrocentric and World Dance  (1 credit hours)  

This course provides direct experience in choreographic and performance processes for members of Panoramic Dance Project, NC State Dance Program's student company dedicated to Afrocentric and other culturally driven dance works. The course includes study of dance technique, choreographic craft, and the examination of content and identity in dance. Choreographic content varies from semester to semester. Permission only; acceptance by formal audition.

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

DAN 227  African Dance I  (1 credit hours)  

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

DAN 228  African Dance II  (1 credit hours)  

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 Health and Exercise Studies, GEP Global Knowledge

Typically offered in Fall only

DAN 230  The Horton Dance Technique and Legacy  (3 credit hours)  

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

Typically offered in Fall only

DAN 234  Country Dance  (1 credit hours)  

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

DAN 240  Social Dance  (1 credit hours)  

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

DAN 241  Social Dance II  (1 credit hours)  

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 Fall only

DAN 260  Hip-hop Dance  (1 credit hours)  

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

DAN 261  Hip-hop Dance II  (1 credit hours)  

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 U.S. Diversity, GEP Health and Exercise Studies

Typically offered in Spring only

DAN 263  Tap Dance  (1 credit hours)  

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

DAN 264  Ballet I  (1 credit hours)  

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

DAN 265  Ballet II  (1 credit hours)  

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

DAN 272  Dance Composition - Solo Forms  (2 credit hours)  

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 320

GEP Visual and Performing Arts

Typically offered in Fall only

DAN 273  Jazz Dance I  (1 credit hours)  

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

DAN 274  Modern Dance I  (1 credit hours)  

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

DAN 275  Modern Dance II  (1 credit hours)  

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 and Spring

DAN 276  Jazz Dance II  (1 credit hours)  

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 Visual and Performing Arts, GEP Health and Exercise Studies

Typically offered in Spring only

DAN 279  Yoga I  (1 credit hours)  

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

DAN 280  Yoga II  (1 credit hours)  

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 such as The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

Prerequisite: DAN 279

GEP Health and Exercise Studies

Typically offered in Spring only

DAN 281  Pilates  (1 credit hours)  

This course will teach the fundamentals of Pilates which are to improve body awareness, increase breathing capacity and improve postural alignment through simultaneous stretching and strengthening movements. The goal of Pilates exercises is to achieve optimal functional fitness. The knowledge and training gained from Pilates will not only benefit an individual in their daily activities, but also improve their performance in any physical activity they choose to participate in.

GEP Health and Exercise Studies

Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer

DAN 285  Advanced Dance Techniques  (1 credit hours)  

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

DAN 290  Special Topics in Dance  (1-4 credit hours)  

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

Typically offered in Fall only

DAN 295  Problems of Dance Performance  (2 credit hours)  

Practical performing experience in a company setting. Rehearsal, performance and production of concert dance.

Prerequisite: Audition

Typically offered in Fall and Spring

DAN 322  Dance and Society  (3 credit hours)  

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 only

DAN 324  U.S. Concert Dance History  (3 credit hours)  

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

DAN 326  Current Trends in Dance  (3 credit hours)  

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 Spring only

DAN 328  Dance Composition - Group Forms  (2 credit hours)  

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

DAN 330  Introduction to Laban Movement Analysis and Bartenieff Fundamentals  (2 credit hours)  

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

DAN 332  Dance and Technology  (2 credit hours)  

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

DAN 428  Dance Concert Composition  (1 credit hours)  

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

DAN 438  Dance Practicum  (1 credit hours)  

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

DAN 490  Adv Spec Top Dance  (1-4 credit hours)  
DAN 498  Independent Study in Dance  (1-3 credit hours)  

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 and Spring