Dance Major

https://communication.northwestern.edu/academics/theatre/undergraduate-programs/major-dance.html

The Department of Theatre also offers a major in dance.

The dance major prepares students for further advanced academic work or a wide range of positions in the dance field. The major’s comprehensive curriculum emphasizes the study of dance as well as the act of dancing, providing students with robust opportunities for writing, research, and analysis in the field, in addition to the study of dance techniques and choreography. The program supports a number of dance organizations, and offers many performing opportunities. 

The primary principle that undergirds the dance major is a belief that movement is the foundation for liberatory possibility.  The study of dance within the liberal arts context allows students to connect with their bodies, and think critically and creatively about the world they live in through their bodies and dance-making practices. Students’ other interdisciplinary fields of study are incorporated into a holistic understanding of what it means to be a thinking-feeling individual in community with others. In both studies and studio settings, students ultimately cultivate creative collectivity through an awareness of critical difference and are prepared intellectually and artistically for lifetime involvement in the field.

Students must also complete the Undergraduate Registration Requirement and the degree requirements of their home school.

Major Requirements (14 units)

All courses for SoC majors, minors, fields of concentration and distribution requirements must be completed with a grade of C- or higher and may not be taken P/N.

SoC Courses (1 unit)

2 0.5-unit seminars:

Course Title
CMN 101-0SoC First Year Seminar: Interdisciplinary Topics in Communication Arts & Sciences
CMN 398-0School of Communication Senior Seminar

Introductory Courses (3 units)

Course Title
DANCE 101-1Introduction to Dance Studies
DANCE 101-2Dance as Creative Collaboration
DANCE 225-0Dance Composition

Dance Technique Courses (3 units)

A minimum of 3 units from the following list (each dance technique class carries .34 units; 3 classes add up to 1.02 unit of credit). Each unit of technique must be taken in a chosen dance category (e.g., 3 classes in Modern/Contemporary, 3 classes in Basic Theatrical Dance, etc.). Classes need not be taken at the same level or in any particular order; students are free to choose which technique categories they study.

General Technique Courses

Course Title
DANCE 110-0Movement for the Stage
DANCE 120-0Topics in Preparation for Performance

Music Theatre Dance

Course Title
DANCE 130-0Music Theatre Dance I
DANCE 230-0Music Theatre Dance II

Basic Theatrical Dance

Course Title
DANCE 140-1Basic Theatrical Dance I
DANCE 140-2Basic Theatrical Dance II
DANCE 140-3Basic Theatrical Dance III

Modern/Contemporary

Course Title
Modern/Contemporary I
Modern/Contemporary II
Modern/Contemporary III

Dances of the African Diaspora

Course Title
Dances of the African Diaspora I
Dances of the African Diaspora II
Dances of the African Diaspora III

Jump Rhythm

Course Title
DANCE 161-0Jump Rhythm Technique 1
DANCE 261-0Jump Rhythm Technique II
DANCE 181-0Jump Rhythm Tap 1
DANCE 281-0Jump Rhythm Tap II

Classical Dance

Course Title
Classical Dance I
Classical Dance II
Classical Dance III

Jazz Dance

Course Title
DANCE 180-1Funk Jazz
DANCE 180-2Theatre Jazz
DANCE 180-3Street Jazz

Additional Dance Courses (7 Units)

At least 6 courses chosen from the following options, plus 1 enrollment in DANCE 399-0 Independent Study during senior year:

Full-Credit Dance Courses

Course Title
DANCE 201-0Dance in/as Culture
DANCE 202-0Anatomy
DANCE 215-0Dance Histories
DANCE 235-0Choreography for Musical Theatre
DANCE 315-0Dance Criticism
DANCE 325-0Advanced Choreographic Study
DANCE 326-0Advanced Improvisation
DANCE 335-0Special Topics in Dance Research
DANCE 345-0Studies in Collaboration
DANCE 375-0Summer Dance Institute
DANCE 399-0Independent Study 1
DANCE 465-0Studies in Dance
1

No limit per degree, but only 1 DANCE 399-0 Independent Study can be applied to the Dance Major requirements.

Additional Requirements (28 units)

Distribution Requirements (18 units)

18 units of credit outside the school, including 8 units of credit from the School of Communication distribution areas: 2 from science, mathematics, and technology; 3 from individual and social behavior; and 3 from humanities and fine arts.  In addition, 3 courses must be at the 200 level or above, and 3 courses must be at the 300 level or above.  

Electives (10 units)

Electives in communication and other areas to complete a minimum of 42 units of credit.

Honors in Dance

The Dance Program encourages students who have demonstrated academic excellence in the dance major to participate in the Senior Honors Program. Students work closely with a faculty member to design, execute and present a research project that delves into the study of Dance. Contact the Dance Program for more information on eligibility and requirements.