Program Chair: Amanda Ling, M.F.A.
Available in the Day College.
The degree programs in Dance seek to prepare major students for careers in performance, teaching, advocacy and administration of dance as fine art. The curriculum is firmly rooted in the technical study of Contemporary dance and other diverse forms. Dedicated to an inclusive curriculum, the dance program offers studio classes at the beginning level to all students. Intermediate- Advanced coursework is designed for the dance major with enrollment determined by technical proficiency requirements and Instructor approval. In addition, training and opportunities provided through Dance Company and Leadership Semester experiences enable students to develop the knowledge and dispositions needed to engage as leaders in the dance field.
Students may choose from the Bachelor of Arts in Dance Education to certify as a teacher of dance in the Pre-K - 12 school setting and the Bachelor of Arts in Dance Studies non-certification degree program.
Requirements for all Dance Majors:
All dance majors must remain active members of the student organization, Columbia College Dance Company (CCDC), every semester while in attendance at the College. Dance program majors must also enroll in at least one somatic and contemporary dance course, participate in dance productions, and engage in a physical wellness practice each semester. Dance Education majors are excused from these requirements during their final semester of directed teaching. In addition to these and the requirements specified by each major, BA-Dance Education majors must meet technical proficiency standards in two dance forms: Somatic Techniques and Contemporary Techniques by demonstrating placement in level III (DAN 318 and DAN 341) and complete the course with a grade of “B” or better for two consecutive semesters prior to their Directed Teaching.
Dance education majors are required to pass all three parts of the Praxis Core: Reading, Writing, and Math. Designated courses provide an additional 1 semester hour lab of support for candidates that have not exempted or passed the required test. Lab courses are EDU 150R, EDU 218W, and EDU 117M. If candidates exempt with their SAT, ACT, or have already passed Praxis Core, they are not required to take the 1 sh labs.
Formula for calculating Credit Hours in Dance:
For non-studio courses, a semester hour of credit represents at least 3 hours of work each week. A three semester hour course includes three hours of in-class instruction plus six hours of work outside of class for each week.
For Dance Traditions and CoLAB Studio courses, a semester hour of credit represents at least 3 hours each week, including 1.5 hours of in-class instruction plus 1.5 hours of work outside of class for physical practice. Technique courses are 1 semester hour and include 2 - 2.5 hours of in-class instruction plus 1 hours of work outside of class for physical practice each week.
For Choreography courses, a semester hour of credit represents at least 3 hours of work each week. Choreography courses are 2 semester hours and include 2.5 hours of in-class instruction and 3.5 hours of work outside of class for each week.