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Degrees

The Dance Program is a division of the Department of Kinesiology and Health Science, College of Education. The philosophy of the Program is to instill within each student sound principles of movement, scholarship, and professional attitudes with teacher-preparation courses comprising an important component of the curriculum. The following options are available:

The Dance Major entails 33-34 hours of study and includes technique classes in three levels of ballet, modern, and jazz dance.

Required lecture/lab classes are:
Analysis of Movement
Choreographic Project
Dance Performance
Dance Production
History and Philosophy of Dance
Improvisation and Composition of Dance
Rhythmic Analysis of Dance Movement
Theory and Practice of Dance

In addition, students choose one of the following courses:
Introduction to Costume (offered by the Department of Theatre)
Introduction to Lighting (offered by the Department of Theatre)
Prevention and Care of Injuries

Electives include:
Ballroom Dance
Folk Dance
Latin American Dance
Tap Dance
Repertory Company (by audition)
Additional technique classes in Ballet, Modern or Jazz

The Teaching Field is equivalent to the Major with regard to studies in dance. In addition to the above-mentioned course work, Teaching Field students take classes in professional education.

The Dance Minor entails 19 hours of study and includes technique classes in ballet, modern, and jazz dance as well as lecture/lab classes in performance, improvisation and composition, rhythmic analysis, and history and philosophy of dance.

History of the Dance Major
Courses in dance originally supported the curriculum for both men and women majoring in Physical Education; however, over time dance became its own specialized field of study. In the 1980's, a Teaching Field in Dance was established for students pursuing teacher certification in the State of Texas; and in 1994, the Bachelor of Science in Dance was approved.

Mission Statement of the Dance Program
The primary mission of the BS degree program in Dance is the professional preparation of teachers who possess a breadth of understanding in the discipline and will continue to uphold standards of excellence as they, in turn, make contributions to dance in education and as an art form. Students are encouraged to reach their highest technical and creative potential to the extent that, should they desire to pursue graduate studies in Dance or a performing career, they will be sufficiently prepared to realize their goals.

Scholarships
The Katie Garrett Norton Dance Award is granted annually to the junior who has achieved the highest grade point average among dance majors and teaching field students.
The Excellence in Dance Award is granted annually to a Dance Major who has contributed to the program in the areas of performance, choreography, service and/or academics.
Travel awards through the Office of Student Affairs have supported student participation in events such as the American College Dance Festival.

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