Dance

Associate Professor: Bory (Chair)
Visiting Assistant Professor: Chapman

Envisioning dance as an intrinsic component of the liberal arts, the Dance Minor integrates the study of dance into Davidson’s academic curriculum. Whether in the studio or the classroom, students approach dance as another lens through which to consider and to understand the world around them. To that end, each class includes some element of theory and practice, charging students to understand dance as both a physical “way of knowing” and a culturally, historically, and socially-situated meaning-making practice. The Dance Minor then aims to provide students with a range of experiences in Dance Studies and multiple ways of considering the ideas offered in its study from cultural analysis to physical practice to creative exploration.

Requirements

A minor in Dance Studies requires 6 courses, at least four of which must be taken in residence at Davidson College. All students must take Dance 101, technique classes at both the 200 and 300-level, a composition/performance class, and a dance theory course. In addition to other dance courses, the elective may be taken outside the department, from the selected list below:

MUS 233 - American Musical Theatre

MUS 261 - Introduction to Composition

THE 235 - Fundamentals of Stage Design

Minors are encouraged to enhance their study at summer dance festivals and intensive workshops. Those that offer course credit, at a university approved by Davidson College, may be applied to the minor with advance departmental approval. Dance classes are enhanced by attendance at and participation in the dance performances and opportunities offered in the college localand communities. Dance minors should expect to actively participate in these co-curricular activities.

Basic Structure of the Minor

One Introductory Course

DAN 101 - Introduction to Dance Studies

Two Technique Courses at 200/300 level

One History/Theory Class

One Composition/Performance Class

One Elective

Additional Dance Course, including independent study;
Summer Study or Abroad, in consultation with the Dance Department; or
Selected Courses outside the Dance Department

Rationale for Course Numbering

DAN 101 and DAN 240 are introductory-level classes that are open to all students. DAN 101: Introduction to Dance provides a classroom-based introduction to issues and theories in the practice and performance of dance. DAN 240: Modern Dance Technique I, a studio-based class, introduces the principles and techniques of Modern Dance.

Subsequent courses build on the work and ideas introduced in these classes.

Dance

Requirements

Basic Structure of the Minor

Rationale for Course Numbering

Dance Courses