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Dance (B.A.)

Program Overview

The Dance major at Messiah University leads to a B.A. degree with an emphasis in the development of the well-rounded and versatile dance artist. Our curriculum includes technical course work in ballet, modern, jazz, tap and dance ministry. Performance and choreographic opportunities as well as course study in dance history; dance pedagogy, arts management, and kinesiology prepare students for careers in dance performance, dance education, dance ministry, graduate school, and other related fields in dance. Like all arts dance is a significant form of human expression and communication, a way of knowing and understanding the world, and a means of serving God and other people.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates from Messiah’s Dance program can:

  1. Demonstrate foundational abilities in the 4 dance techniques of Ballet, Jazz, Modern and Tap.
  2. Develop and defend critical evaluation
  3. Demonstrate an understanding for wide selection of dance repertory, the principal eras, genres, and cultural sources.
  4. Identify and work conceptually with the elements of dance
  5. Demonstrate the choreographic processes, aesthetic properties of style, and the way these shape and are shaped by artistic and cultural ideas and contexts.
  6. Apply fundamental knowledge of kinesiology and it’s application to work in dance.
  7. Demonstrate an understanding of procedure for realizing a variety of dance styles
  8. Develop knowledge and/or skills in one or more areas of dance beyond basic course work and performance appropriate to the individual’s needs and interests.
  9. Cultivate the stewardship of the intellect and imagination
  10. Explore the intersections between Christian faith and Dance

Major Requirements

Complete the following for your major:

APHS 271Kinesiology

3
DANC 101Ballet I

1
DANC 201Ballet II

1
DANC 301Ballet III

1
DANC 401Ballet IV

1
DANC 102Jazz and Dance Theatre I

1
DANC 202Jazz and Dance Theatre II

1
DANC 302Jazz and Dance Theatre III

1
DANC 402Jazz and Dance Theatre IV

1
DANC 103Modern Dance I

1
DANC 203Modern Dance II

1
DANC 303Modern Dance III

1
DANC 403Modern Dance IV

1
DANC 104Tap Dance I

1
DANC 204Tap II

1
DANC 105Dance Pedagogy

2
DANC 111Dance Performance Ensemble

0.5
DANC 304Dance Ministry

2
DANC 305Dance History

2
DANC 470Dance Capstone Project

1-3
THEA 115Production Practicum

1
THEA 150Introduction to Technical Theatre and Design

3
THEA 475Theatre Capstone Seminar

3

DANC 111: 2 credits

THEA 475: Writing requirement for major.

Two credits from the following:

DANC 314Improvisation

2
DANC 404Choreography

2

Take three credits of the following:

ARTM 401Arts Management

3
DANC xxx
Dance Elective

2-3
DANC 381Dance Practicum

1-3
DANC 491Independent Study

1-3
MUGE 101Fundamentals of Music Theory

3
MUTH 101Music Theory I

3
THEA 120Acting l

3
THEA 260/MUSI 271Musical Theatre

3
THEA 261Theatre for Young Audiences

3
THEA 361Creative Dramatics

3

NOTE: 25 -27 credits of the major requirements are from DANC courses.

QuEST Requirements

Experiential Learning requirement 0
QuEST requirements Credits
First Year Seminar 3
Oral Communication 3
Created and Called for Community (W) 3
Mathematical Sciences 3 or 4
Laboratory Science 3 or 4
Science, Technology & the World 3
Two of the following:
   Social Science
   European History
   United States History		 6
Literature 3
Philosophy and Religion 3
Arts (THEA 120, THEA 150, {DANC 305 AND DANC 10x}* met/major
First Semester of Language 3
Second Semester of Language 3
Third Semester of Language or Cross Cultural 3
Non-Western Studies 2 or 3
Bible 3
Christian Beliefs 3
Wellness course (DANC 101, DANC 102, DANC 103, DANC 104) met/major
Ethics, World Views or Pluralism 3
QuEST requirements 50-53
Major requirements 38-40
Free electives 35-30
Total credits 123

*a 10x DANC course may only fulfil ONE catagory. Students would need a second DANC 10x course to fulfill both Arts AND Wellness.