Degree
Information- DANCE
Department
of Communication Arts - Theater/Dance
VSU Repertory Dancers in choreography by Professor Eric Nielsen and Assistant Professor Sarah McCalister photos by James Helms & Jamie Harmon
DEGREE PROGRAMS
The Department of Communication Arts offers three options for degrees involving dance, these include a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, a BFA in Theatre Arts with a Musical Theatre Emphasis, or a Dance Minor. Students with majors in other departments may pursue the Dance Minor degree. The VSU Dance program is a close-knit community of dancers with a supportive, engaged faculty. Our program is innovative and small enough to provide personal feedback to our dance students. We offer numerous choreographic, performance, and teaching opportunities in order that students be productive, contributing members of society.
In the Dance Major and Minor tracks, students learn the fundamentals of ballet, modern, jazz, tap, and dance academics in preparation for careers in performing or teaching. The programs offer courses in Choreography, History, Pedagogy, Improvisation, and Dance Science electives. The Musical Theatre Emphasis focuses on training in voice and dance styles such as jazz and tap needed for the musical theatre performer. The VSU Repertory Dancers is a performing ensemble that provides stage and course experiences each year through open auditions. The dancers perform in both an annual fall dance concert and spring musical production at VSU. Selected dancers may also participate in touring performances such as the American College Dance Festival, GAHPERD Kaleidoscope showcase, and other regional and national venues. Dancers fund raise and outreach dance in surrounding communities through the Dance Club. Many outstanding students are hired to teach in local studios!
“Dance Fusion” Fall 2003 Catherine Schaeffer, choreographer. “A Chorus Line” Spring 2004 Eric Nielsen, choreographer, director.
VSU Repertory Dancers in choreography by Professor Eric Nielsen and Associate Professor Catherine Schaeffer
Curriculum
a. Courses in italics are new courses.
Core Curriculum Areas A-E (See VSU Core Curriculum) 42 hours
CORE CURRICULUM AREA F 18 hours
(If students take THEA 1100 in Area C, then they should take another Area C elective)
THEA 1000 Voice and Diction 3 hours
THEA 2730 Theatre and Film Makeup 2 hours
DANC 1500 Introduction to Dance 3 hours
(If students take DANC1500 in Area C, then they should take another Area C elective)
DANC 1600 Ballet I 2 hours
DANC 1700 Modern Dance I 2 hours
DANC 2800 Jazz Dance I 2 hours
DANC 2920 Dance Improvisation 1 hour
Major Curriculum 60 hours
THEA 2750 Technical Theatre and Lighting 3 hours
DANC 2600 Ballet II 3 hours
DANC 2700 Modern Dance II 3 hours
DANC 3600 Ballet III or DANC 3700 Modern Dance III. 3 hours
DANC 1900 Tap Dance I or DANC 3300 Special Topics 2 hours
DANC 3800 Jazz Dance II 3 hours
DANC 4800 Jazz Dance III 3 hours
DANC 3500 Teaching Dance Technique 2 hours
DANC 3000 Dance Composition 3 hours
DANC 3100 Choreography 3 hours
DANC 3200 Dance Ensemble 6 hours
DANC 3410 Dance History 3 hours
DANC 3420 Dance Music Analysis 2 hour
DANC 4010 Dance Kinesiology 3 hours
DANC 4020 Conditioning and Wellness for Dance 3 hours
DANC 4600 Ballet IV or DANC 4700 Modern Dance IV 3 hours
THEA 4790 Portfolio and Resume 2 hour
GUIDED ELECTIVES 6 hours
COMM 1100 or MDIA 2000 3 hours
(If students take COMM 1100 or MDIA 2000 in Area C, then they should take three additional hours of guided electives)
Total hours required for degree 120 hours
For information regarding the Dance Minor degree, click here!