Curriculum
Program Description
Application Requirements by Degree
Dance Major BA
Dance Major BFA
Dance Minor
Teaching Endorsement
Course Descriptions
Advising
Technique Placement Class
Auditions
Syllabus & Studio Class Schedule
Program Description
Dance offers a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Fine Arts as well as a Dance Minor and a Teaching Endorsement in conjunction with Woodring College of Education.
Entry into the BA/BFA is by audition. Completion of the program is dependent upon successful progress through the curriculum. The BA is a broadly-based degree, with a liberal arts orientation, and is designed for students with a general rather than career interest in performing or choreographing. BA candidates will focus on pedagogical and historic aspects of dance. The BFA degree is a highly selective program which trains exceptionally committed, disciplined, and talented students. The BFA degree also requires recommendation of faculty members.
The Dance Program expects achievement in the following competencies by graduating majors in both the BA and BFA. Our students will:
- Develop proficiency in modern dance technique
- Develop competency in ballet technique
- Become familiar with the history of dance and enhance writing skills by using this knowledge
- Gain expanded diversity awareness through the cultural dimensions of dance
- Understand alignment and anatomy as they relate to dancers
- Explore their choreographic potential in traditional and/or experimental approaches
- Learn the basic skills and operations of technical theatre related to dance production
- Have multiple performing opportunities in different venues
Assessment of these competencies is accomplished through individual course performance, completion of degree requirements, and in part by successful audition and casting in faculty directed events. BFA candidates will be expected to participate in a culminating Capstone course and presentation as choreographers and as featured dancers.
Application Requirements by Degree
Dance Major BA:
You may declare if you are placed in Modern 1 or above, after consultation with Cher Carnell/Associate Chair.
BA Advisement Form 2010-2011
Dance Major BFA:
The BFA is by nomination only. Students who would like the BFA formally apply in spring of their Junior year, after review, the faculty votes on the candidates. It is assumed that BFA graduates will continue in the field of dance, either professionally or on to graduate school.
**New Deadline for BFA materials: Due April 15, 2012 to Cher Carnell.
BFA Advisement Form 2010-2011
BFA Nominations Procedure
BFA Nominations Standards Form
BFA Nominations Checklist
Dance Minor:
You may declare the Minor at anytime. Transfer students must fulfill a minimum of 18 hours of the required courses.
Minor Advisement Form 2010-2011
Teaching Endorsement:
Students completing a teacher certification program and endorsable major in a subject other than Dance may qualify for an additional endorsement in Dance by completing requirements listed above. This will allow you to teach Dance in Washington State public schools. See the Woodring College of Education section of the WWU Catalog for more information on teacher certification programs and approved majors.
Teaching Endorsement Form 2010-2011
Course Descriptions
View the 2010-2011 Catalog for our course descriptions.
Advising
Please contact Carnell at (360) 650-3893 or Cher.Carnell@wwu.edu to set up an advising appointment, for general questions, or to declare.
Visit our FAQs Page for questions frequently asked about the Department.
Technique Placement Class
Date: Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Time: 10:30 am – 1 pm. Students should plan to arrive between 10 and 10:15 am to fill out forms and warm up
Class Format: approximately 60-75 minutes Ballet, followed by 60-75 minutes Modern
Location: Carver #60 dance studio, WWU Campus - get directions
The Dance Program will be holding a Technique Placement Class for ALL new students interested in the Dance Major and Minor. The class is also open to non-majors interested in taking dance classes. Non-majors will be allowed to register for dance classes on a space available basis.
The purpose of the class is to help students and faculty be assured of registering for the appropriate class level (i.e. don’t be intimidated, please come; it is in your best interest!).
Wear dance attire that we can see you move in, ballet slippers for the ballet portion, bare feet or sandals for modern.
If you are planning on attending this class please rsvp to: Cher.Carnell@wwu.edu.
Class assignments will be posted by 2:30 p.m. on the 25th (same day) on website and bulletin boards outside the Carver and PAC studios.
Auditions
Date: Saturday, February 16, 2013
Time: 12:30pm - 2:30pm
Location: Carver #60 dance studio, WWU Campus - get directions
For all students interested in a Dance Major or Minor who were not able to attend the September 21 Placement Class. The audition will be a combination of Modern and Ballet technique. Students will be evaluated on the basis of previous training, alignment, and artistry.
Wear form-fitting attire that you can move easily in, ballet slippers for the ballet portion, bare feet or sandals for modern. Hair should be secured off the face.
There is no charge but advance registration is required by contacting Cher Carnell, Associate Chair at (360) 650-3893 or Cher.Carnell@wwu.edu. Registration deadline is Friday, Feb. 10.
Auditions for level placement can be arranged on an individual basis for interested students able to come to WWU campus, while classes are in session (usually weeks 2-9 of any given quarter). Contact Cher Carnell, Associate Chair at (360) 650-3893 or Cher.Carnell@wwu.edu to set up a potential visit. (For TECHNIQUE PLACEMENT CLASS, please scroll above.)
Syllabus & Studio Class Schedule
If your class syllabus is not found below, please contact your class instructor for black board instructions. Regarding Waitlist policy, for those courses the first person on the wait list will be the first person given the opportunity to register if a seat opens up in the course. 102 Open Modern Dance: Rick Merrill 221 Modern Dance II - Level 1: Rick Merrill 232 Movement and Culture: Rick Merrill
Winter Quarter 2012 Syllabus Information
