COLLEGE OF ARTS + ARCHITECTURE:  DEPARTMENT OF DANCE

School of Architecture  |  Dept of Art & Art History  |  Dept of Dance  |  Dept of Music  |  Dept of Theatre

The Department awards Bachelor of Arts degrees in Dance and Dance Education. A minor in Dance is available, and North Carolina K-12 teacher licensure can also be earned. In conjunction with the College of Education, the Department also offers a Master of Arts in Teaching Dance.

MISSION STATEMENT

The Department of Dance provides students quality education in the art of dance, preparing them to become a part of a knowledgeable public that enjoys, supports, and participates in dance choreography, performance, and teaching. The overarching goal of the Department of Dance is to provide an exemplary broad-based instruction in dance that introduces students to diverse perspectives as they investigate the practice and theory of the art. The program is inclusive in that it serves dance majors, dance minors, public school dance licensure candidates, and elective students. As is consistent with the Mission of UNC Charlotte; the Department of Dance equips students with 21st century skills and training that allow them to pursue dance specific and/or related careers, as they commit to life-long learning and enjoy an enriched quality of life.

Our educational model is to discuss and explore in the classroom, then experiment in laboratory and rehearsal environments and, finally, to present our findings in the public venues/forums of teaching and performance.

Faculty members are committed to the teaching and practice of dance, as they foster academic progress and artistic expression in an environment that respects cultural and artistic diversity. In addition, they contribute to the University, the community and their professions through scholarly/creative research and service.

The curricula include courses in dance technique, style (modern dance, ballet, jazz), and choreography. Courses in dance history, anatomy, and writing for dance provide the theoretical foundation of the liberal arts degree. Specialized pedagogy classes, with laboratory experiences and DANC 2228 (Music and Dance) are included in the dance education degree program which leads to K-12 teacher licensure in North Carolina.

Students complete their majors by taking the specific dance or dance education discipline core and selected elective courses. The electives can be focused in the student’s area of interest--performance, choreography, theory, administration/management or pedagogy. Dance students are expected to attend all scheduled Department of Dance classes. Specific course requirements and attendance policy are listed on each course syllabus.

The Department presents a season of dance concerts as well as informal productions, student choreographed works, and original collaborative works. Auditions are open to all members of the University community. Productions and classes are held in Robinson Hall which contains three performance spaces and specialized rehearsal, design, and construction laboratories, as well as additional classrooms and Department offices.

A major in Dance or Dance Education provides a liberal arts education. The skills and attributes developed in dance are essential to a professional arts career and they are applicable to all life endeavors. Motivation, concentration, self-confidence, creativity, flexibility, problem-solving, communication skills, and teamwork are enhanced through the study of dance.

Graduates may move directly into the profession as performers, choreographers, or teachers. They may also combine their dance backgrounds with complimentary fields such as kinesiology, psychology and business. More commonly, they seek advanced training in graduate programs or apprenticeships with professional organizations.

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN DANCE

A major in Dance leading to the B.A. degree consists of 40 semester hours including:

• 7 hours in the departmental core:
THEA 2250 Lighting Design
THEA 2401 Production Practicum
DANC 2402 Performance Practicum

• 28 hours in the dance core:
DANC 1210, 2210, 3210 Ballet for Majors
DANC 1211, 2211, 3211 Modern for Majors
DANC 1280 Improvisation
DANC 2216 Choreography
DANC 2119 Anatomy for Dancers
DANC 2226 Vintage Jazz Dance
DANC 3221 Dance History I
DANC 3222 Dance History II

• 5 hours of dance electives

Note: All of these courses must be completed with no more than one grade of D and a GPA of at least 2.5.

MINOR IN DANCE

A minor in Dance requires 22 semester hours including:

• DANC 1212 Ballet I (2)
• DANC 1214 Modern Dance I (2)
• DANC 2401 Performance Practicum (1)
• DANC 2401 Performance Practicum (1) (This choice is repeated for a total of 2 credit hours)
• DANC Theory course (2 or 3)
     Select from:
        LBST 1101 The Arts and Society: Dance (3)
        DANC 2228 Music for Dancers (2)
        DANC 2119 Anatomy for Dancers (3)
• DANC History course (3)
     DANC 3101 Dance History I OR
     DANC 3102 Dance History II
• DANC 2226 Vintage Jazz Dance (2)
• DANC electives (8 or 9)

DANCE EDUCATION (K-12)

The major in Dance Education leads to (K-12) teacher licensure. In addition to completing the coursework for the major in Dance, Dance Education students complete these professional education requirements:

• DANC 2228 Music and Dance
• DANC 4227/5227 Dance Education Methods I
• DANC 4227L/5227L Elementary Clinical Experience
• DANC 4257/ 5227 Dance Education Methods
• DANC 4257L/ 5227L Secondary Clinical Experience
• DANC 4467 Student Teaching/Seminar: K-12 Fine and Performing Arts
• EDUC 2100 Introduction to Education and Diversity in Schools
• EDUC 4290 Modifying Instructions for Learners with Diverse Needs
• EIST 4100 Computer Applications in Education
• MDSK 3160 Learning and Development: Birth through Adolescence
• READ 3255 Integrating Reading and Writing Across Content Areas
• SPED 2100 Introduction to Students with Special Needs

Students seeking dance licensure should plan to declare the dance education major by the end of the sophomore year. A later decision to seek licensure may result in a delayed graduation date. A GPA of 2.75 is required for admission to student teaching. Licensure applications are the responsibility of the student and the Office of Student Academic Services in the College of Education.

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING CERTIFICATE IN DANCE

In conjunction with Charlotte's professional dance company, North Carolina Dance Theatre (NCDT), the University offers a Professional Training Certificate in Dance for advanced ballet students. The partnership provides the student an association with a professional dance company while earning a college degree. The sixteen credit hours earned in the Certificate are included in the requirements for the baccalaureate degree. Pre-college credit is also available to high school students.

Open by audition to a student in any major, the two-year Professional Training Certificate in Dance provides training with teachers at The North Carolina Dance Theatre School of Dance. Rehearsal and performance opportunities are available in addition to classes in ballet technique, pas de deux, pointe and variations. North Carolina Dance Theatre is an exceptional company whose Artistic Director, Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux and Associate Director, Patricia McBride, include both classical and contemporary works in the repertory.

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