Dance Professional Courses

DAN 125. First Year Seminar: [Topic]. 1 Credit.

DAN 125 provides a general introduction to dance as a field of study in higher education with a specific focus on opportunities in Dance and allied studies at UO. Repeatable twice for a maximum of 3 credits.

DAN 171. Dance Improvisation: [Topic]. 1 Credit.

Dance Improvisation covers a range of solo and group improvisational techniques to develop improvisational skill and heighten creative instincts. Attention will be given to developing safe practices to heighten movement exploration. Topics vary based on the chosen focus of the teacher of record. Repeatable twice for a maximum of 3 credits.

DAN 198. Workshop: [Topic]. 1-2 Credits.

Repeatable. Recent topics include Performance, Production Experience, Repertory.

DAN 199. Special Studies: [Topic]. 1-5 Credits.

Repeatable.

DAN 241. Screendance: History and Theory. 4 Credits.

This Arts and Letters group satisfying course explores the historical, theoretical, and cultural contexts of screendance, an interdisciplinary art form at the intersection of dance, film, and new media technologies. It focuses on critical inquiries into screendance while locating that subject in a broader context.

DAN 251. Looking at Dance. 4 Credits.

Overview of dance as a cultural and aesthetic experience. Examines its meaning and impact on contemporary United States society.

DAN 252. Dance Composition I. 3 Credits.

This course is an introduction to the elements of dance composition. Students will create studies that concentrate on details of formal compositional structure as well as some more contemporary models
Prereq: DAN 171, DAN 258.

DAN 255. Dance Production I. 3 Credits.

Introduction to production planning, management, lighting, design, costuming, and publicity for the dance concert. Practical experience in Dougherty Dance Theatre.

DAN 256. Dance Somatics. 3 Credits.

Exploration of patterning in movement. Various body therapies—Bartenieff Fundamentals, ideokinesis, and body-mind centering—provide a framework for experiential investigations.

DAN 258. Musical Elements of Dance. 3 Credits.

Explores musical elements of dance and dancing; especially music/dance culture, rhythm, melody, phrasing and form. Sequence with DAN 458.

DAN 260. Anatomy of Human Movement. 4 Credits.

An introduction to scientific reasoning focusing on methodology and current research in dance anatomy and kinesiology.

DAN 271. Contact Improvisation: [Topic]. 1 Credit.

This course is designed to develop skills, experience and awareness of contact improvisation. Sequence with DAN 171. Repeatable twice for a maximum of 3 credits.
Prereq: DAN 171.

DAN 280. Dance Loft Performance. 1 Credit.

Dance Loft Performance is a beginning level repertory dance course modeled after a professional choreographic rehearsal process and performance experience. Participants in this course will perform the work of a student choreographer, under the supervision of a faculty mentor, in a single informal performance. Repeatable twice for a maximum of 3 credits.

DAN 294. Modern Dance Laboratory. 3 Credits.

Rigorous training in modern dance as a performing art form emphasizing use of the body as an instrument, elements of movement, and performance skills. Repeatable for a maximum of 24 credits.
Prereq: placement audition.

DAN 299. Special Studies: [Topic]. 1-5 Credits.

Repeatable when topic changes.

DAN 301. African Dance Aesthetics. 4 Credits.

Using the field of dance studies to examine African dance aesthetics in popular culture, daily media landscapes, and expressive cultures in Africa and the diaspora.

DAN 352. Dance Composition II. 3 Credits.

Compositional forms in dance. Crafting of movements into studies.
Prereq: DAN 351.

DAN 355. Dance Production II. 1-2 Credits.

Extended application of skills and procedures used in producing a concert. Practical backstage work; pre- and postconcert sessions. Repeatable eleven times for maximum of 24 credits.
Prereq: DAN 255.

DAN 360. Dance Kinesiology. 4 Credits.

Applications of anatomical, muscular, and motor control information to dance training and injury prevention.

DAN 380. Student Dance Concert Performance. 2 Credits.

Student Dance Concert Performance is an intermediate level practical studio course. Participants in this course will perform the work of a student choreographer, under the supervision of a faculty mentor, performed in a run of fully produced performances. Repeatable twice for a maximum of 6 credits.

DAN 394. Contemporary III. 3 Credits.

Intensive 5 days-a-week studio course integrating the study of contemporary dance theory and practice. Fall term focuses on music in dance, winter on dance in culture, and spring term focuses on science and somatics in dance. Repeatable seven times for a maximum of 24 credits.
Prereq: 3 terms of DANC 270, placement audition or instructor approval.

DAN 401. Research: [Topic]. 1-4 Credits.

Repeatable twice.

DAN 403. Thesis. 1-12 Credits.

Repeatable three times.

DAN 404. Internship: [Topic]. 1-4 Credits.

Apprenticeship under the guidance of a supervising teacher in areas such as teaching, arts management, administration, and dance production. Repeatable twice when topic changes for maximum of 12 credits.
Prereq: Junior standing.

DAN 405. Reading and Conference: [Topic]. 1-21 Credits.

Repeatable up to six times.

DAN 406. Practicum: [Topic]. 1-12 Credits.

Repeatable.

DAN 407. Seminar: [Topic]. 1-5 Credits.

Repeatable. Recent topics include Choreographic Analysis, Contemporary Issues. Repeatable when topic changes.

DAN 408. Workshop: [Topic]. 1-21 Credits.

Repeatable. Topics include rehearsal and performance for department-sponsored events.
Prereq: Audition for performance experiences.

DAN 409. Terminal Project. 1-12 Credits.

Repeatable. Current topics are Choreography, Production Design, and Management.

DAN 410. Experimental Course: [Topic]. 1-5 Credits.

Repeatable. Current topics include Neuromuscular Bases of Dance, Topics in Technique, Composition III.

DAN 411. Senior Project. 3 Credits.

DAN 412. Student Dance Concert. 1-6 Credits.

Students apply ideas learned about concert choreography, production, and management. In a cooperative venture, students produce dance works in Dougherty Dance Theatre. Repeatable for maximum of 24 credits.
Prereq: DAN 255, DAN 352.

DAN 425. Senior Seminar: [Topic]. 1 Credit.

This multi term topics course focuses on professional development within dance for senior dance majors. Repeatable twice for a maximum of 3 credits.

DAN 436. Dema African Performance Ensemble: [Topic]. 3 Credits.

Dema is the concept of total performance experience through dance, music, singing, storytelling, and costume-making through education, teaching, and to entertaining. Dema is a means of encouraging independence, critical thinking, self-worth, and freedom of the mind for students to discover their voices. Repeatable twice for a maximum of 9 credits.

DAN 443. Dance and Power. 3 Credits.

This course uses identity as a lens through which we examine structures of power in dance, including, but not limited to, intersections of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, socioeconomic status, language, (dis)ability, age, religious commitment, and political perspective. Sequence with DAN 444.
Prereq: DAN 251.

DAN 444. Contemporary Issues in Dance. 3 Credits.

This course engages critical conversations about dance in contemporary society with emphasis on understanding various ways that dance functions within communities, how dance can participate and promote social change, and ways that dance makers are expanding possibility in dance. Sequence with DAN 443.
Prereq: DAN 251, DAN 443.

DAN 452. Dance Composition III. 3 Credits.

Advanced skills in dance composition to engage critical creative processes for the development of substantial choreographies. Repeatable once for a maximum of 6 credits. Sequence with DAN 351, DAN 352.
Prereq: DAN 352.

DAN 458. Music for Dancers. 3 Credits.

Surveys musical form, style, and expressive content as it relates to dance. Examines the interrelationship of elements of music and dance in significant works from around the world.
Prereq: DAN 252.

DAN 480. Faculty Dance Concert Performance. 2 Credits.

Participants in this course will perform the work of a faculty choreographer, or guest artist, in a run of fully produced dance concerts. Repeatable four times for a maximum of 10 credits.

DAN 481. Repertory Dance Company: Rehearsal. 1-12 Credits.

Creating and rehearsing new or existing material in preparation for the spring tour. Repeatable four times.
Prereq: audition or application; coreq: DANC 300 level or above in ballet and modern.

DAN 486. Student Dance Collective: [Topic]. 3 Credits.

Student Dance Collective is an advanced dance performance ensemble modeled after a professional repertory dance company, which includes a collaborative rehearsal process and multiple live performances.
Prereq: DAN 480, DANC 370, DANC 372, DANC 375.

DAN 491. Teaching Dance. 3 Credits.

Application of teaching theories, course planning methods, teaching resources and techniques. Emphasis on teaching in university situation.
Prereq: DAN 252, DAN 394; DAN 271

DAN 494. Advanced Movement Practice. 3 Credits.

Advanced Movement Practice is a synthesis of physicality, creative practice, and theory whereby students will investigate the relationships between form, expression, technique, style and identity through embodiment, discussion, readings, writing, video and performance.
Prereq: DANC 370, DANC 372, DANC 375.

DAN 503. Thesis. 1-16 Credits.

Repeatable nine times.

DAN 507. Seminar: [Topic]. 1-5 Credits.

Recent topics include Choreographic Analysis, Contemporary Issues. Repeatable when topic changes.

DAN 508. Workshop: [Topic]. 1-21 Credits.

Repeatable. Topics include rehearsal and performance for department-sponsored events.
Prereq: Audition for performance experiences.

DAN 510. Experimental Course: [Topic]. 1-5 Credits.

Repeatable. Current topics include Neuromuscular Bases of Dance, Topics in Technique, Composition III.

DAN 536. Dema African Performance Ensemble: [Topic]. 3 Credits.

Dema is the concept of total performance experience through dance, music, singing, storytelling, and costume-making through education, teaching, and to entertaining. Dema is a means of encouraging independence, critical thinking, self-worth, and freedom of the mind for students to discover their voices. Repeatable twice for a maximum of 9 credits.

DAN 558. Music for Dancers. 3 Credits.

Surveys musical form, style, and expressive content as it relates to dance. Examines the interrelationship of elements of music and dance in significant works from around the world.

DAN 601. Research: [Topic]. 1-16 Credits.

Repeatable.

DAN 605. Reading and Conference: [Topic]. 1-16 Credits.

Repeatable.

DAN 606. Practicum: [Topic]. 1-16 Credits.

Repeatable. Topics include Formal Compositional Structure, Solo Composition, and student-initiated topics. Limited by faculty workload and availability.

DAN 607. Seminar: [Topic]. 1-5 Credits.

Repeatable.

DAN 608. Workshop: [Topic]. 1-16 Credits.

Repeatable. Topics include Performance, Production, Rehearsal.

DAN 609. Terminal Project. 1-12 Credits.

Repeatable.

DAN 610. Experimental Course: [Topic]. 1-5 Credits.

Repeatable.