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USF 2000-2001 Undergraduate Catalog - Pages 175 - 178

Dance (DAN)

Courses - Course Descriptions

The dance program offers professional preparation through a curriculum of study within three degree options: B.F.A. in Dance Performance; B.A. in Dance Studies; B.S. in Dance Education. There is an expressed commitment to the development and production of original creative works as extensions of studio/classroom experiences, of faculty research, and in interaction with guest artists.

The presentation of dance in concert is essential to the educational mission, and provides students and the community with frequent opportunities for expanding aesthetic experiences.

Through intensive study in dance technique, creative studio studies and dance theory, students are prepared for careers in performance, choreography, and education. Additional preparation in graduate programs may lead to opportunities in Dance Sciences/Medicine, Dance Therapy, Arts Management, Performance, Choreography, or Interdisciplinary Studies.

Admission to the Dance Department is contingent upon acceptance by the university and successful completion of a performance audition. Students must complete the audition prior to Orientation and registration for Dance courses.

Prerequisites (State Mandated Common Prerequisites)

The College of Fine Arts encourages students to complete the A.A. degree at the community college. Some courses required for the major may also meet General Education Requirements thereby transferring maximum hours to the university. If a student wishes to transfer without an A.A. degree and has fewer than 60 semester hours of acceptable credit, the student must meet the university’s entering freshman requirements including ACT or SAT test scores, GPA, and course requirements. Please be aware of the immunization, foreign language, and continuous enrollment policies of the university. This is a non-limited access program with the above courses recommended.

Students are encouraged to complete the following required courses and/or electives (if available) during the program of study at the community college. If these courses are not taken at the community college, they must be completed before the degree is granted. Unless stated otherwise, a grade of “C” is the minimum acceptable grade. If students are coming to the university from a community college, the following prerequisite courses will be accepted as meeting lower level requirements.

Prerequisites for B.A. in Dance

Prerequisites for B.F.A. in Dance

Although credit toward the major will be given for these courses, placement in upper level technique classes will continue to be based on individual proficiency. Other technique courses in other styles of dance may be accepted toward the major on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the university. Transfer dance credits must be presented for evaluation by faculty and dance advisor at time of entrance.

Requirements for the B.F.A. Degree in Dance

Performance Concentration

The BFA in Dance Performance, (Ballet and Modern) offers professional preparation, which includes extensive study in Studio Technique, Choreographic Studies and Dance Theory. The focus of this degree is the development of dancers who will enter the professional world of dance/arts as performers and choreographers. Beyond the expectations for continuing opportunities for performance, students selecting the BFA will develop and present solo and group Senior Choreographic Projects.

The BFA is a limited access program. Students must participate in a selective admissions procedure. At the end of their first year, students will be assessed by Dance faculty to determine eligibility.

Modern Dance Focus

Studio Technique (28 semester hours)

Creative Studio (17 semester hours)

*Concurrent enrollment in Dance Technique

Dance Theory (27 semester hours)

Ballet Focus

Studio Technique (30 semester hours)

Creative Studio Studies (17 semester hours)

Dance Theory (27 semester hours)

Requirements for the B.A. Degree in Dance Studies

The B.A. in Dance Studies is designed to provide students with a comprehensive core of study in dance (Technique, Creative Studio Studies, Theory) while encouraging the development of an individualized program of study through the selection of general education requirements as well as a focused selection of elective courses. The selection of electives should be designed to provide each student with the maximum value of a liberal arts education within a focused area of study. A student with additional interest in another field (i.e. African Studies, Anthropology, Communications, Women’s Studies, Theatre, History, Religious Studies, Psychology, etc.) would complete focused study in that area along with the core of study in dance. Each student would be required to develop a final independent project incorporating the dance with his or her focused study.

Preliminary coursework recommended for a student’s first and second year in college is listed below. Upper-level courses are listed for each major area of study following the prerequisites.

Coursework to be taken at USF

Studio Technique (20 semester hours)

Creative Studio Studies (13 semester hours)

Dance Theory (23 semester hours)

Focused Electives (15-17 semester hours)

B.S. Degree in Dance Education

The Dance Education Curriculum is designed for students who wish to develop a high level of expertise in dance and have a commitment to the development of individual potential in others. The curriculum is designed to meet the requirements for certification in Dance Education K-12 in the State of Florida.

In order to be admitted to the Dance Education Specialization, students must participate in a selective admissions procedure. Enrollment in the program is limited and students can only enter during the fall semester of each year. In addition to applying to the university, students must also apply directly to the Department of Dance before March 1 for priority admission consideration. Students applying after May 1 will be accepted only on a space available basis.

Admission to Dance Education is contingent upon application to the program, successful audition in both Ballet and Modern Dance Technique, and acceptable academic standards (See “General Requirements for B.A. Degrees within the College of Fine Arts.” Note: Students on academic appeal or probation may not be considered for Dance Education Specialization until successful completion of their sophomore year.)

Dance Education Students are expected to maintain a 3.0 in all Dance Major courses and an overall 2.5 GPA to be admitted to the College of Education/Professional Preparation Courses of Study. (See Special Requirements for admission and internship established by the College of Education.) Students are expected to maintain the 3.0/2.5 grade point average as stated above through the completion of the Internship in Dance Education.

Preliminary coursework recommended for a student’s first and second year in college is listed below. Upper-level courses are listed for each major area of study following the prerequisites.

Prerequisites (State Mandated Common Prerequisites):

These prerequisites must be met by transfer students as well as USF students. A grade of “C” is the minimum acceptable grade.

In addition to EDG 2701, lower division courses must include 6 credit hours with an international or diversity focus. The eligible courses will be determined by the institution where the student is currently enrolled for his/her degree. Professional education courses taken at the community college will transfer as general electives.

Students must also take courses in the following areas, which may meet General Education Requirements as well as fulfill Prerequisites:

Coursework to be taken at USF

Studio Technique (14 Semester hours minimum)

Note: Of the 12 hours in Ballet and Modern Dance, 6 hours must be in Ballet; 6 hours must be in Modern Dance, and at least 3 of these hours must be at level III or IV. Based on the student's progress in technique development, courses may include:

Additional Required Studio Technique Courses Include:

Creative Studio Studies (10 semester hours)

Dance Theory (21 semester hours)

Department of Education Professional Prerequisites (9 semester hours)

Professional Preparation

Requirements for the Dance Minor

The Dance Minor is designed to provide students with a scope of experiences in dance which include studio technique, creative studio studies and dance theory. The student selecting a Dance Minor should arrange to meet with the academic advisor in dance.

Studio Technique (10 semester hours)

Select 10 credits from:

(Studio Dance courses may be repeated only once toward the Dance Minor.)

Creative Studio Studies (4 semester hours)

Select 4 credits from:

Dance Theory (6 semester hours)

Select 6 credits from:

Dance Electives (4 semester hours)

TOTAL 24

Department Policy For Academic Progress

Prospective majors must contact the Dance Department to arrange for an audition prior to being permitted to register for classes. Acceptance into all major technique classes is by faculty audition. Acceptance into each of the degree programs [B.F.A.; B.A.; B.S.] requires acceptable technical proficiency, academic standards commensurate with USF guidelines, and recommendation of the faculty.

All students are required to participate in production practicum during their first year in the program. Junior Dance Majors are required to perform in a work created by one of the Seniors.

Critiques

  1. All students will be evaluated periodically by the faculty and critiqued each semester and will participate in progress conferences with the faculty.
  2. If a student evidences deficiency in some area or in continuing progress toward the degree, the student may be placed on probation within the Department.
  3. Failure to make satisfactory progress after being placed on probation shall constitute grounds for Departmental recommendation to drop and discontinue the major.

Minimum Grade for Dance Courses

A student must receive a “C” grade or better in required courses for Dance Majors. Should a student fail to do so, the course(s) in which the student receives “D” or “F” must be repeated and a “C” grade or better earned. Note: The student choosing a Dance Minor must achieve a “C” or better in all courses applied to the minor in dance.

Additional Standards

In addition to meeting the specific requirements and standards discussed above, the student and advisor will periodically evaluate the student’s general progress. Students are required to meet with the Academic Advisor in Dance each semester. An unsatisfactory rating in one or more of the following areas could place the student on probation. A student on probation is given a specific amount of time to achieve a satisfactory rating before being dropped from the major program. The criteria include:

  1. Adequate academic progress.
  2. Adequate technical skills and adaptability.
  3. "B" average in major studio classes.
  4. Good health which includes adequate control of body weight.

Class probation and department probation require review, i.e., reinstatement in good standing or recommendation to drop major.

For other non-major requirements see both Fine Arts College requirements and the university's General Distribution and graduation requirements.

Visiting Artists and Artists-in-Residence

By supplementing its excellent ongoing regular staff-instructed dance curriculum with other professional resources made available through the Visiting Artist and Artist-in-Residence programs, the Dance Department provides for dance students an overall dynamic program for practice, study, and learning.

USF 2000-2001 Undergraduate Catalog - Page 184

Dance Faculty

Chairperson: T. R. Wilson; Professors: G. W. Warren, L. Wimmer; Associate Professors: S. W. Robinson-Waldrop,T. R. Wilson; Assistant Professors: S.A. Birch; J. Salk; J. Travers; Lecturer: J.E. Parks; Visiting Faculty: T. Burnaman.

USF 2000-2001 Undergraduate Catalog - Page 185

Dance Courses

Course Descriptions

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Effective Date: Semester I, 2000

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