Approved by: Undergraduate Course and Curriculum Committee
Implementation Date: Spring 2014
Note: Deletions are strikethroughs. Insertions are underlined.
Summary
Old Degree Titles
Bachelor of Arts in Dance Education
Bachelor of Arts in Dance
New Degree Titles
Bachelor of Arts in Dance with Concentration in Dance Education
Bachelor of Arts in Dance with Concentration in Dance Performance, Choreography, and Theory
Catalog Copy
The Department of Dance provides innovation and leadership in the discipline through careful practices in performance, choreography, and teacher training that support the diverse perspectives of dance as a global art form.
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; to experiment in laboratory and rehearsal environments; and to present our findings in the public 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.
Degree Programs
The Department of Dance awards Bachelor of Arts degrees in Dance and Dance Education with North Carolina K-12 teacher licensure. All students receive a well-rounded experience of dance while concentrating in one of two areas: (1) Dance Performance, Choreography, and Theory or (2) Dance Education. A Minor in Dance is also available. Additionally, i In partnership with the professional dance company, North Carolina Dance Theatre, the department offers a Professional Training Certificate in Dance for advanced ballet training. Dance Majors Any UNC Charlotte student may audition for this unique two-year certificate program.
The curricula include courses in dance technique, style, and choreography. Courses in dance history, anatomy, and writing for dance provide the theoretical foundation of the liberal arts degree. Specialized pedagogy courses with laboratory experiences 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, or pedagogy. Specific course requirements and the attendance policy are listed on each course syllabus.
The department presents a performance season featuring a concert each Fall and Spring semester that includes original works choreographed by faculty and guest artists and/or re-stagings of master works of choreography. Each Spring, the department also sponsors a student-produced concert showcasing student choreography. Auditions are open to all members of the University community. Productions and classes are held in Robinson Hall which contains two performance spaces and specialized rehearsal, design, and construction laboratories, as well as additional classrooms and department offices.
Dance degree study includes courses in diverse dance practices, among them modern dance, ballet, vintage jazz, and styles from West Africa and Latin America; dance improvisation; choreography; performance; dance history; anatomy; ballet pedagogy; and music and writing for dance. Specialized pedagogy courses with laboratory experiences and coursework in the Department of Education are required for the dance education concentration and may lead to K-12 teacher licensure in North Carolina. In addition to taking core courses in their concentrations, students fulfill the University’s general education requirements and select electives in areas of interest. Coursework in the department provides students with 21st century skills important to employment and productive lives: creative and critical thinking, physical and intellectual adeptness, motivation, self and cultural awareness, and communication skills. Careful advising supports student success and those who want to double major.
By audition, students perform in concerts featuring original works by faculty and guest artists and/or re-staged master works of choreography. Students see faculty and guest artists perform and may present their choreography onstage for credit through the Individual Project Course. Interested students receive mentoring in dance research and writing and have presented their work at university symposia and regional and national conferences.
Career Opportunities
A Major in Dance or Dance Education provides a liberal arts education. The skills and attributes developed in dance are applicable in all life endeavors and essential to a professional arts career. 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, teachers, or researchers. 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.
UNC Charlotte dance graduates work as performers, choreographers, public school educators, dance studio owners/teachers, and researchers or seek advanced training in graduate programs or apprentice with professional organizations. Some students combine dance degrees with study in exercise science, journalism, athletic training, psychology, education, communication studies, women’s and gender studies, or business.
Bachelor of Arts in Dance
A major in Dance leading to the B.A. degree consists of 48 semester hours including:
Degree Requirements
Dance Core (20 hours)
- DANC 1209, 1210, 2209, 2210 (Ballet for Majors) (8)
- DANC 1217, 1218, 2217, 2218 (Modern Dance for Majors) (8)
- DANC 2226 Vintage Jazz Dance (2)
- DANC 3210 Ballet for Majors III (2) or DANC 3218 Modern for Majors III (2)
Creative Process (5 hours)
- DANC 1280 Improvisation (2)
- DANC 2216 Choreography I (3)
Dance Theory (12 hours)
- DANC 2119 Anatomy for Dancers (3)
- DANC 3221 Dance History I (3)
- DANC 3222 Dance History II (3)
- THEA 3250 Lighting Design I (3)
Dance Theory or Creative Practice (3 hours)
- DANC 3230 Choreography II (3) or DANC 4001 Ballet Pedagogy (3)
Performance and Production (4 hours)
- THEA 2401 Production Practicum (1)
- DANC 2401 Dance Running Crew (1)
- DANC 2402 Performance Practicum (1)
- DANC 2402 Performance Practicum (1) or DANC 2401 Production Practicum (1)
Dance Electives (4 hours)
Grade Requirements
All of the above courses must be completed with no more than one grade of D and a GPA of at least 2.5.
Minor in Dance
Course Requirements
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 4110 Writing for Dance (3)
- DANC History course (3)
Select from: - DANC 3101 Dance History I
- DANC 3102 Dance History II
- DANC 2226 Vintage Jazz Dance (2)
- DANC Electives (8 or 9)
Grade Requirements
All of the above courses must be completed with no more than one grade of D and a GPA of at least 2.5.
Bachelor of Arts Concentration in Dance Education (K-12)
The Major Concentration in Dance Education leads to K-12 teacher licensure.
Degree Requirements
In addition to completing the coursework for the B.A. 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 in the Elementary School
- EIST 4100 Computer Applications in Education
- MDSK 3160 Learning and Development: Birth through Adolescence
or MDLG 3130 The Early Adolescent Learner
or ELED 3120 The Elementary School Child
or SECD 4140 Adolescence and Secondary School
- 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 concentration 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.
Grade Requirements
All of the above courses must be completed with no more than one grade of D and a GPA of at least 2.5.
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.
Course Requirements
- DANC 3201-3202 Professional Training Certificate in Dance (8)
- DANC 4201-4202 Professional Training Certificate in Dance (8)