Dance

This is an archived copy of the 2020-2021 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.uoregon.edu.

Overview
Faculty
Undergraduate
Degree Plan
Graduate
Certificate/Licensure
Courses

http://dance.uoregon.edu

Brad Garner, Department Head
541-346-3382
541-346-3380 fax
170 Gerlinger Annex
1214 University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon 97403-1214

The primary aim of the Department of Dance is to enrich the lives of majors, nonmajors, and the Oregon community with diverse dance experiences. Dance is explored as an art form and as one of the humanities in a liberal arts education. Study in dance as an academic discipline integrates inquiry and theory to develop skills in observation, critical thinking, problem solving, and evaluation. In addition to the academic components, dance students experience the rigorous professional discipline that is inherent in studio classes. The department emphasizes modern dance. Students may also study such idioms as ballet, contact improvisation, hip-hop, and African dance and drumming.

Regardless of a student’s career goals, education in dance at the University of Oregon provides the opportunity to develop motivation and self-discipline, intellectual curiosity, and creative imagination. These attributes are essential not only for a successful career but also for experiencing a fulfilling life.

Information about performances, placement classes, performance auditions, master classes, special events, and scheduling updates is available in the department office and online.

Facilities

The Department of Dance has four professional dance studios for classes and activities in dance. In addition to serving as classrooms and rehearsal spaces, two studios in Gerlinger Annex convert into the M. Frances Dougherty Dance Theatre, which seats 225 people and has state-of-the-art stage equipment.

Performing Opportunities

The department offers frequent opportunities for students to perform in works by faculty members, guest artists, graduate students, and undergraduates. Performances are produced throughout the year, and any university student may participate. Participants are usually selected through auditions. Rehearsals and performances earn academic credit.

A student may earn credit and gain experience in teaching, lighting, costuming, makeup, management of productions, or a combination of these. Practicum credit is offered in dance choreography, production design, and management.

Repertory groups such as the UO Repertory Dance Company and Dema, an African dance ensemble, tour Oregon and the Northwest presenting concert performances as well as lecture-demonstrations and master classes for public schools, colleges, universities, civic organizations, and community concert series.

Collaborations with local dance groups, the Department of Theater Arts, and groups within the School of Music and Dance provide multidisciplinary performance opportunities. These activities carry academic credit.

Scholarships

The Department of Dance awards several partial scholarships yearly to incoming dance majors and to continuing dance student performers and choreographers.

Dance Oregon

A student organization partially funded by the Associated Students of the University of Oregon, Dance Oregon is open to any student interested in dance. Its general function is to enhance and enrich the dance opportunities offered through the departmental curriculum. To this end, Dance Oregon provides a variety of activities each year that are promoted on and off campus. Examples include sponsoring professional guest artists to perform, lecture, set repertory, or teach master classes, and organizing student participation in the American College Dance Association.

Dance Program for Nonmajors

A variety of dance experiences are provided for enjoyment and enrichment through the dance program. Lower-division DANC courses generally offer beginning or elementary instruction and may be repeated twice for credit. Upper-division DANC courses provide low-intermediate instruction and may be repeated twice for credit. A maximum of 12 credits in DANC courses may be applied to the total number of credits required for a bachelor’s degree.

Upper-division DAN courses provide advanced instruction. See DAN course listings for credit repeatability.

Noncredit DANC and DAN studio courses may be available to members of the community through community dance; a modest instructional fee is assessed by the Department of Dance.

Faculty

Steven Chatfield, professor (modern technique, dance sciences, research, improvisation, composition). BA, 1975, MA, 1984, PhD, 1989, Colorado, Boulder. (1989)

Christian Cherry, associate professor (fundamentals of rhythm, music for dance and music in the dance studio, contact improvisation); director, graduate studies; director, music in dance. BA, 1983, Ohio Wesleyan; MM, 1993, Ohio State. (2001)

Brad Garner, associate professor (modern, jazz, and ballet technique; improvisation). BFA, 1997, Minnesota, Twin Cities; MFA, 2004, Arizona State. (2009)

Rita Honka, senior instructor (African and modern technique, African diaspora, anatomy). BS, 1989, Wayne State; MS, 1992, Oregon. (1993)

Habib Iddrisu, assistant professor (West African music, dance, performance). BA, 2002, MA, 2004, Bowling Green State; PhD, 2011, Northwestern. (2013)

Walter Kennedy, associate professor (modern and ballet technique,dance history, composition); director, undergraduate studies. BFA, 1996, California State, Long Beach; MFA, 1999, Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. (2000)

Shannon Mockli, associate professor (modern, contemporary, and ballet technique; improvisation to composition). BFA, 2003, MFA, 2008, Utah. (2008)

Emeriti

Jenifer P. Craig, associate professor emerita. BA, 1971, MA, 1973, Oregon; PhD, 1982, Southern California. (1986)

Bruno V. Madrid, senior instructor emeritus. BMus, 1955, Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music; MMus, 1963, Oregon. (1966)

Susan Zadoff, senior instructor emerita. Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. (1976)

The date in parentheses at the end of each entry is the first year on the University of Oregon faculty.

Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science
Minor

Undergraduate Studies

The Department of Dance offers curricula leading to bachelor of arts (BA) or bachelor of science (BS) degrees. The goal of the department is to provide comprehensive dance training within the liberal arts framework of the university. The serious study of dance involves intellectual, artistic, and physical development. The Department of Dance emphasizes all three areas of growth, a commitment made possible by the breadth of its curricular offerings and the depth of faculty expertise.

Facility with oral and written communication is one goal of a liberal arts education. Therefore, dance majors pursue a course of study to acquire a firm intellectual grasp of the theoretical, historical, and creative forces that shape dance as an art form.

Dance, unique in that it is also a physical form of communication, requires continual experience in its technical foundations. Students are expected and encouraged to experience a variety of forms of dance training and idioms. Production and pedagogy are also integral to the undergraduate core, because many students find careers in theater and teaching.

Goals for the Undergraduate Dance Major

Explore the field of dance from a liberal arts perspective
Explore disciplined technique and creative processes involved in the artistry of dance
Formulate an intellectual understanding of the historical, philosophical, and culturally significant aspects of dance
Develop a working knowledge of music and science as they relate to and enhance the dance experience
Develop an understanding of dance as a unique art form in conjunction with its relationship to other art forms and disciplines
Develop a level of competence in performance, creative, and theoretical aspects of dance to pursue graduate studies or other professional goals

Preparation

High school students planning to major in dance should include preparation in music, drama, art, and dance, especially modern dance.

Students transferring to the UO as dance majors after two years of college work elsewhere should have completed two terms of college-level English composition, as many of the university’s general-education requirements as possible, and training in modern dance.

Careers

Career opportunities include performing in regional dance companies and teaching in community centers, fitness centers, and private studios. Business and technical theater management, dance science, dance research, and dance journalism offer alternatives to performance and creative work.

Bachelor's Degree Program

Students eligible for admission to the university may declare dance as a major. Candidates for the bachelor’s degree with a major in dance must satisfy general university requirements, select appropriate courses in related areas, and complete dance course requirements with a grade of C– or better. The faculty regularly reviews students for evidence of satisfactory progress toward fulfilling degree requirements. Students who receive grades lower than C– or I (incomplete) or Y in dance courses are placed on departmental probation and must repeat or complete the course with a minimum grade of C–. Students placed on departmental probation have one term to achieve the goals they agreed upon with their academic advisors. While students are on probation, they receive guidance to help them achieve satisfactory progress toward the degree.

Courses required for a dance major or minor must be taken for letter grades when that option is available. A grade of P must be earned in courses designated pass/no pass (P/N) only.

Advising

Students admitted as majors must meet with a dance faculty advisor prior to registration each term. These meetings inform students about prerequisites and progress toward the degree. Appointment schedules for advising are posted by each advisor. Students must have a signed advising contract in their departmental academic file before they may register each term.

University requirements for the BA and BS degrees are explained in the Bachelor's Degree Requirements section of this catalog.

Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Technique		12
DANC 170	Contemporary I
DANC 270	Contemporary II
DANC 172	Ballet I
DANC 272	Ballet II
DANC 372	Ballet III
DANC 175	Jazz I
DANC 275	Jazz II
DANC 185	African Dance
DANC 199	Special Studies: [Topic] (Hip-Hop I)
DANC 399	Special Studies: [Topic] (Hip-Hop II)
Improvisation		3
DANC 171	Contact Improvisation
DANC 271	Dance Improvisation
Lower-Division Courses
DAN 251	Looking at Dance	4
DAN 255	Dance Production I	3
Science and Somatics (Select One)		3
DAN 256	Dance Somatics
DAN 260	Anatomy of Human Movement
History and Culture (Select Two)		6
DAN 301	African Dance Aesthetics
DAN 453	Ballet from the Courts to Balanchine
DAN 454	Evolution of Modern Dance
Upper-Division Courses
DAN 351	Dance Composition I	3
DAN 352	Dance Composition II	3
DAN 355	Dance Production II	1
DAN 360	Dance Kinesiology	4
DAN 394	Contemporary III (Three Times)	9
DAN 494	Contemporary IV (Three Times)	9
DAN 407	Seminar: [Topic]	3
DAN 458	Music for Dancers	3
Performance Electives		9
DAN 355	Dance Production II
DAN 404	Internship: [Topic]
DAN 406	Special Problems: [Topic]
DAN 408	Workshop: [Topic]
DAN 412	Student Dance Concert
DAN 452	Dance Composition III
DAN 481	Repertory Dance Company: Rehearsal
DAN 482	Repertory Dance Company: Touring
University Requirements and Electives		105
Courses to fulfill university requirements for a bachelor's degree
Total Credits		180

Students transferring to the UO as dance majors after two years of college work elsewhere should have completed courses for the UO BA foreign language requirement, two terms of college-level English composition, as many of the university’s general-education requirements as possible, and training in modern dance.

Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Technique		12
DANC 170	Contemporary I
DANC 270	Contemporary II
DANC 172	Ballet I
DANC 272	Ballet II
DANC 372	Ballet III
DANC 175	Jazz I
DANC 275	Jazz II
DANC 185	African Dance
DANC 199	Special Studies: [Topic] (Hip-Hop I)
DANC 399	Special Studies: [Topic] (Hip-Hop II)
Improvisation		3
DANC 171	Contact Improvisation
DANC 271	Dance Improvisation
Lower-Division Courses
DAN 251	Looking at Dance	4
DAN 255	Dance Production I	3
Science and Somatics (Select One)		3
DAN 256	Dance Somatics
DAN 260	Anatomy of Human Movement
History and Culture (Select Two)		6
DAN 301	African Dance Aesthetics
DAN 453	Ballet from the Courts to Balanchine
DAN 454	Evolution of Modern Dance
Upper-Division Courses
DAN 351	Dance Composition I	3
DAN 352	Dance Composition II	3
DAN 355	Dance Production II	1
DAN 360	Dance Kinesiology	4
DAN 394	Contemporary III (Three Times)	9
DAN 494	Contemporary IV (Three Times)	9
DAN 407	Seminar: [Topic]	3
DAN 458	Music for Dancers	3
Performance Electives		9
DAN 355	Dance Production II
DAN 404	Internship: [Topic]
DAN 406	Special Problems: [Topic]
DAN 408	Workshop: [Topic]
DAN 412	Student Dance Concert
DAN 452	Dance Composition III
DAN 481	Repertory Dance Company: Rehearsal
DAN 482	Repertory Dance Company: Touring
University Requirements and Electives		105
Courses to fulfill university requirements for a bachelor's degree
Total Credits		180

Students transferring to the UO as dance majors after two years of college work elsewhere should have completed courses for the UO BS mathematics requirement, two terms of college-level English composition, as many of the university’s general-education requirements as possible, and training in modern dance.

Honors College Program

See the Robert Donald Clark Honors College section of this catalog for specific honors college requirements. Departmental requirements for dance majors enrolled in the Clark Honors College include the following:

6 credits of independent study in choreography, technical production, or related research leading to the senior honors thesis
Either a choreography (minimum of ten minutes) with written description and discussion or an honors essay on an approved research topic

Dance Minor

The dance minor is available to undergraduate students who want to combine an interest in dance with a major in another area of study. The minor allows students flexibility in constructing a program of courses to enhance and complement any chosen major.

Dance courses applied to the minor must be passed with grades of C– or better. Most upper-division courses have prerequisites, corequisites, or both.

Dance Minor Requirements

Dance courses applied to the minor must be passed with a grade of C– or better. Minors are encouraged to take Looking at Dance (DAN 251) as an arts and letters group-satisfying course and Anatomy of Human Movement (DAN 260) as a science group-satisfying course to enrich their understanding of dance, even though these courses do not count toward the minimum 25 credits required for the minor.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
DAN 255	Dance Production I	3
DAN 355	Dance Production II	1
Contemporary III		9
DAN 394	Contemporary III
Technique Electives		6
DANC 170	Contemporary I
DANC 270	Contemporary II
DANC 172	Ballet I
DANC 272	Ballet II
DANC 372	Ballet III
DANC 175	Jazz I
DANC 275	Jazz II
DANC 185	African Dance
DANC 199	Special Studies: [Topic]
DANC 399	Special Studies: [Topic]
Improvisation (Choose One)		1
DANC 171	Contact Improvisation
DANC 271	Dance Improvisation
Upper-Division Electives		3
DAN 301	African Dance Aesthetics
DAN 351	Dance Composition I
DAN 352	Dance Composition II
DAN 355	Dance Production II
DAN 360	Dance Kinesiology
DAN 452	Dance Composition III
DAN 453	Ballet from the Courts to Balanchine
DAN 454	Evolution of Modern Dance
DAN 458	Music for Dancers
DAN 260	Anatomy of Human Movement
Rehearsal and Performance		2
DAN 406	Special Problems: [Topic]
DAN 408	Workshop: [Topic] (Rehearsal and Performance)
Total Credits		25

Four-Year Degree Plan

The degree plan shown is only a sample of how students may complete their degrees in four years. There are alternative ways. Students should consult their advisor to determine the best path for them.

Courses that apply to the major must be passed with grades of C– or better.

Bachelor of Arts in Dance

Degree Map
First Year
Fall		Milestones	Credits
First term of first-year second-language sequence			5
WR 121	College Composition I		4
DANC 171 or DANC 271	Contact Improvisation or Dance Improvisation		1
DAN 255	Dance Production I		3
Choose two from the following:			2
DANC 170	Contemporary I
DANC 172	Ballet I
DANC 175	Jazz I
DANC 185	African Dance
DANC 199	Special Studies: [Topic]
	Credits		15
Winter
Second term of first-year second-language sequence			5
General-education course in arts and letters			4
General-education course in social science			4
Choose two from the following:			2
DANC 170	Contemporary I
DANC 172	Ballet I
DANC 175	Jazz I
DANC 185	African Dance
DANC 199	Special Studies: [Topic]
	Credits		15
Spring
Third term of first-year second-language sequence			5
WR 122 or WR 123	College Composition II or College Composition III		4
General-education course in social science			4
Choose two from the following:			2
DANC 170	Contemporary I
DANC 172	Ballet I
DANC 175	Jazz I
DANC 185	African Dance
DANC 199	Special Studies: [Topic]
	Credits		15
	Total Credits		45

Maintain an overall GPA of 2.50 or higher.

Degree Map
Second Year
Fall		Milestones	Credits
First term of second-year second-language sequence			4
General-education course in arts and letters that doubles as multicultural			4
General-education course in science			4
DANC 171 or DANC 271	Contact Improvisation or Dance Improvisation		1
Choose two from the following:			2
DANC 270	Contemporary II
DANC 272	Ballet II
DANC 275	Jazz II
DANC 399	Special Studies: [Topic]
DAN 355	Dance Production II		1
	Credits		16
Winter
Second term of second-year second-language sequence			4
General-education course in science			4
General-education course in social science that doubles as multicultural			4
DANC 171 or DANC 271	Contact Improvisation or Dance Improvisation		1
Choose two from the following:			2
DANC 270	Contemporary II
DANC 272	Ballet II
DANC 275	Jazz II
DANC 399	Special Studies: [Topic]
	Credits		15
Spring
Third term of second-year second-language sequence			4
General-education course in science			4
Multicultural course			4
Choose two from the following:			2
DANC 270	Contemporary II
DANC 272	Ballet II
DANC 275	Jazz II
DANC 399	Special Studies: [Topic]
Electives			2
	Credits		16
	Total Credits		47

Maintain an overall GPA of 2.50 or higher. Identify a minor, certificate program, or second major.

Degree Map
Third Year
Fall		Milestones	Credits
DAN 251	Looking at Dance		4
DAN 394	Contemporary III		3
General-education course in arts and letters			4
General-education course in social science			4
	Credits		15
Winter
DAN 351	Dance Composition I		3
DAN 394	Contemporary III		3
DAN 453	Ballet from the Courts to Balanchine		3
DAN 260	Anatomy of Human Movement		4
Multicultural course			4
	Credits		17
Spring
DAN 352	Dance Composition II		3
DAN 394	Contemporary III		3
General-education course in arts and letters			4
Elective courses			5
	Credits		15
	Total Credits		47

Maintain good academic standing and complete general-education requirements. A degree audit is recommended.

Degree Map
Fourth Year
Fall		Milestones	Credits
DAN 407	Seminar: [Topic]		1
DAN 408	Workshop: [Topic]		3
DAN 494	Contemporary IV		3
DAN 452	Dance Composition III		3
DAN 458	Music for Dancers		3
Elective course			2
	Credits		15
Winter
DAN 360	Dance Kinesiology		4
DAN 407	Seminar: [Topic]		1
DAN 408	Workshop: [Topic]		3
DAN 494	Contemporary IV		3
Elective course			4
	Credits		15
Spring
DAN 407	Seminar: [Topic]		1
DAN 408	Workshop: [Topic]		3
DAN 454	Evolution of Modern Dance		3
DAN 494	Contemporary IV		3
Elective courses			5
	Credits		15
	Total Credits		45

Maintain good academic standing and complete major, minor, and/or certificate programs.

Bachelor of Science in Dance

Degree Map
First Year
Fall		Milestones	Credits
MATH 105	University Mathematics I		4
WR 121	College Composition I		4
DANC 171 or DANC 271	Contact Improvisation or Dance Improvisation		1
DAN 255	Dance Production I		3
Choose two from the following:			2
DANC 170	Contemporary I
DANC 172	Ballet I
DANC 175	Jazz I
DANC 185	African Dance
DANC 199	Special Studies: [Topic]
Elective course			1
	Credits		15
Winter
MATH 106	University Mathematics II		4
General-education course in arts and letters			4
General-education course in social science			4
Choose two from the following:			2
DANC 170	Contemporary I
DANC 172	Ballet I
DANC 175	Jazz I
DANC 185	African Dance
DANC 199	Special Studies: [Topic]
Elective course			1
	Credits		15
Spring
MATH 107	University Mathematics III		4
WR 122 or WR 123	College Composition II or College Composition III		4
General-education course in social science			4
Choose two from the following:			2
DANC 170	Contemporary I
DANC 172	Ballet I
DANC 175	Jazz I
DANC 185	African Dance
DANC 199	Special Studies: [Topic]
Elective course			1
	Credits		15
	Total Credits		45

Maintain an overall GPA of 2.50 or higher.

Degree Map
Second Year
Fall		Milestones	Credits
General-education course in arts and letters that doubles as multicultural			4
General-education course in science			4
DANC 171 or DANC 271	Contact Improvisation or Dance Improvisation		1
Choose two from the following:			2
DANC 270	Contemporary II
DANC 272	Ballet II
DANC 275	Jazz II
DANC 399	Special Studies: [Topic]
DAN 355	Dance Production II		1
Elective course			3
	Credits		15
Winter
General-education course in science			4
General-education course in social science that doubles as multicultural			4
DANC 171 or DANC 271	Contact Improvisation or Dance Improvisation		1
Choose two from the following:			2
DANC 270	Contemporary II
DANC 272	Ballet II
DANC 275	Jazz II
DANC 399	Special Studies: [Topic]
Elective course			4
	Credits		15
Spring
General-education course in science			4
Multicultural course			4
Choose two from the following:			2
DANC 270	Contemporary II
DANC 272	Ballet II
DANC 275	Jazz II
DANC 399	Special Studies: [Topic]
Electives			5
	Credits		15
	Total Credits		45

Maintain an overall GPA of 2.50 or higher. Identify a minor, certificate program, or second major.

Degree Map
Third Year
Fall		Milestones	Credits
DAN 251	Looking at Dance		4
DAN 394	Contemporary III		3
General-education course in arts and letters			4
General-education course in social science			4
	Credits		15
Winter
DAN 351	Dance Composition I		3
DAN 394	Contemporary III		3
DAN 453	Ballet from the Courts to Balanchine		3
DAN 260	Anatomy of Human Movement		4
Multicultural course			4
	Credits		17
Spring
DAN 352	Dance Composition II		3
DAN 394	Contemporary III		3
General-education course in arts and letters			4
Elective courses			5
	Credits		15
	Total Credits		47

Maintain good academic standing and complete general-education requirements. A degree audit is recommended.

Degree Map
Fourth Year
Fall		Milestones	Credits
DAN 407	Seminar: [Topic]		1
DAN 408	Workshop: [Topic]		3
DAN 494	Contemporary IV		3
DAN 452	Dance Composition III		3
DAN 458	Music for Dancers		3
Elective course			2
	Credits		15
Winter
DAN 360	Dance Kinesiology		4
DAN 407	Seminar: [Topic]		1
DAN 408	Workshop: [Topic]		3
DAN 494	Contemporary IV		3
Elective course			4
	Credits		15
Spring
DAN 407	Seminar: [Topic]		1
DAN 408	Workshop: [Topic]		3
DAN 454	Evolution of Modern Dance		3
DAN 494	Contemporary IV		3
Elective courses			5
	Credits		15
	Total Credits		45

Maintain good academic standing and complete major, minor, and/or certificate programs.

Graduate Studies

The graduate program in dance has been temporarily suspended. No new graduate students are being accepted at this time.

Certificate in Teaching Dance

The certificate in teaching dance is designed to fill a need for training dance teachers for the private dance studio industry. The focus is on evidence-based practice from venerable and contemporary theories of dance pedagogy. Intense technical training in contemporary dance forms the core of the program. These core studio-theory courses are augmented with advanced study in dance injury prevention, improvisation-composition, production, and methods of teaching. The culminating requirement of the certificate is a one-year internship as a student-teacher in a private dance studio partnering with the UO Department of Dance for this program.

The certificate is a residency program. The following courses must be taken in residence at the UO. Required course work totals 41 credits minimum and includes 34 upper-division credits, 17 of which are at the 400 level.

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Core Courses
DAN 394	Contemporary III (three terms)	9
DAN 494	Contemporary IV (three terms)	9
Production Courses
DAN 255	Dance Production I	3
DAN 355	Dance Production II	1
DAN 408	Workshop: [Topic] (Rehearsal and Performance)	2
Injury Prevention Courses
DAN 260	Anatomy of Human Movement	4
Composition Sequence
Contact or Dance Improvisation:		2
DANC 171	Contact Improvisation
or DANC 271	Dance Improvisation
DAN 351	Dance Composition I	3
DAN 352	Dance Composition II	3
Pedagogy Sequence
DAN 491	Teaching Dance	3
DAN 404	Internship: [Topic] (Teaching Dance)	3
Total Credits		42

Dance courses applied to the certificate must be passed with a grade of C– or better. Students working toward their certificates are encouraged to take Looking at Dance (DAN 251) as an arts and letters group-satisfying course and to follow up with Evolution of Modern Dance (DAN 454). They are further encouraged to take Dance Kinesiology (DAN 360) and Music for Dancers (DAN 458), even though these courses do not count toward the minimum 42 credits required.

Introductory Dance Courses

DANC 170. Contemporary I. 1 Credit.

DANC 170 Contemporary I is the study of basic principles of dance movement with an emphasis on the elements of space, time and energy. Repeatable twice for maximum of 3 credits.

DANC 171. Contact Improvisation. 1 Credit.