Professional Dance 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 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 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 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 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 351. Dance Composition I. 3 Credits.
Introduction to creation of dance movement as a communication tool. How to select, develop, vary, and phrase dance movement. Choreography of short dance studies.
Prereq: DAN 252; DANC 271, 370 or above.
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 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. Special Problems: [Topic]. 1-21 Credits.
Repeatable up to six times.
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. Practicum: [Topic]. 1-21 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, 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 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 482. Repertory Dance Company: Touring. 1-12 Credits.
Lecture-demonstrations and formal performances of repertory learned in winter rehearsals. Repeatable four times.
Prereq: DAN 481; coreq: DANC 300 level or above in either ballet or modern.
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, 394; DAN 271; coreq: DAN 490.
DAN 494. Contemporary IV. 3 Credits.
Deep investigation and professional training in contemporary dance as a performing art form emphasizing mastery of space, time and energy in movement with a focus on performance skills. Dance Studies and scholarship are also included. Repeatable for a maximum of 24 credits.
Prereq: DAN 394, placement audition or instructor approval.
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 512. 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, 352 or equivalent.
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 581. 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 582. Repertory Dance Company: Touring. 1-12 Credits.
Lecture-demonstrations and formal performances of repertory learned in winter rehearsals. Repeatable four times.
Prereq: DAN 4/581; coreq: DANC 300 level or above in either ballet or modern.
DAN 594. Contemporary IV. 3 Credits.
Deep investigation and professional training in contemporary dance as a performing art form emphasizing mastery of space, time and energy in movement with a focus on performance skills. Dance Studies and scholarship are also included. Repeatable for a maximum of 24 credits.
Prereq: DAN 394, placement audition or instructor approval.
DAN 601. Research: [Topic]. 1-16 Credits.
Repeatable.
DAN 602. Supervised College Teaching. 1-5 Credits.
Repeatable.
DAN 605. Reading and Conference: [Topic]. 1-16 Credits.
Repeatable.
DAN 606. Special Problems: [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. Practicum: [ Topic]. 1-16 Credits.
Repeatable.
DAN 610. Experimental Course: [Topic]. 1-5 Credits.
Repeatable.
DAN 613. MFA Professional Paper. 1-16 Credits.
Repeatable up to five times.