USF 2005-2006 Undergraduate Catalog - Pages 191-193
Course Descriptions - Faculty - Printable Degree Requirements
The dance program in the School of Theatre & Dance offers professional preparation through a curriculum of study within two degree options: B.F.A. in Dance Performance and B.A. in Dance Studies. 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 numerous 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. Additionally, these degree programs may help prepare students for graduate work in Dance Sciences/Medicine, Dance Therapy, Arts Management, Performance, Choreography, or Interdisciplinary Studies.
Admission to the Dance program is contingent upon acceptance by the university and successful completion of a placement audition. Students must complete the audition prior to Orientation and registration for Dance courses.
Prospective majors must contact the School of Theatre and Dance for audition dates prior to being permitted to register for classes. Acceptance into major technique classes is by faculty audition. Acceptance into each of the degree programs (B.F.A., B.A.) requires acceptable technical proficiency, academic standards commensurate with USF guidelines, and recommendation of the faculty.
The College of Visual and Performing 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.
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.F.A. in Dance Performance and B.A. in Dance Studies:
Any 24 credit hours from the following 30 hours will be accepted toward the major.
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 evaluated by faculty and dance advisor at time of entrance.
The BFA in Dance Performance (Ballet or Modern emphasis) 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 third semester, students will be assessed by Dance faculty to determine eligibility. Dancers must continue to take technique courses throughout their degree program.
Studio Technique (28 semester hours)
Creative Studio (17 semester hours)
*Concurrent enrollment in Dance Technique
Dance Theory (27 semester hours)
Studio Technique (30 semester hours)
Creative Studio Studies (17 semester hours)
*Concurrent enrollment in Dance Technique
Dance Theory (27 semester hours)
The B.A. in Dance Studies is designed to provide students with a comprehensive core of study in Studio Technique, Choreographic Studies, and Dance Theory. The focus of this degree is to encourage 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, Education, History, Psychology, Religious Studies, Theatre, Women’s Studies, etc.) should complete focused study in that area along with the core of study in dance. Each student is required to develop a final independent project incorporating dance with his or her focused study. Dance students must continue to take at least one technique course each semester.
Coursework to be taken at USF
Studio Technique (20 semester hours)
Creative Studio Studies (13 semester hours)
*Concurrent enrollment in Dance Technique
Dance Theory (23 semester hours)
Focused Electives (15-17 semester hours)
The Dance Education Curriculum is currently suspended. See the Director of the School of Theatre & Dance for further information. It is recommended that students seeking to become teachers obtain a B.A. in Dance Studies with specialization in Education.
The Dance Minor is designed to provide students with a scope of experiences in dance that 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 prior to enrolling for classes.
Studio Technique (10 semester hours)
Select 10 credits from:
(Studio Dance courses may be repeated once toward the Dance Minor.)
Creative Studio Studies (4 semester hours)
Select 4 credits from:
*Music for Dance is a pre-requisite for Choreography and instructor approval.
Dance Theory (6 semester hours)
Select 6 credits from:
Dance Electives (4 semester hours)
TOTAL 24
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.
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:
For other non-major requirements see both Visual and Performing Arts College requirements and the university’s General Distribution and graduation requirements.
The School of Theatre & Dance believes in the ongoing influence of guest artists as choreographers, teachers for master classes, residencies and performers. The programs provide numerous opportunities to enhance the students’ artistic awareness of professional possibilities.
Please send questions or comments to:
Karen M. Hall - webcat@ugs.usf.edu
Effective Date: Semester I, 2005
http://www.ugs.usf.edu/catalogs/0506/dance.htm