Courses

Undergraduate Level / Lower-Division Course

DANC 10100
Modern Dance Technique I Sem. 1 and 2. 1 lecture, 2 studio, cr. 2. (May be repeated for credit.) An introduction to the techniques and principles of modern dance.

DANC 10200
Ballet I Sem. 1 and 2. 1 lecture, 2 studio, cr. 2. (May be repeated for credit.) An introduction to the techniques and principles of classical ballet.  

DANC 10300
Jazz Dance I Sem. 1 and 2. 1 lecture, 2 studio, cr. 2. (May be repeated for credit.) An introduction to the principles of jazz dance techniques: alignment, isolations, rhythmic patterns, and basic locomotion.

DANC 20100
Modern Dance Technique II Sem. 1 and 2. 1 lecture, 2 studio, cr.2. Prerequisite: none. (Three semesters of DANC 10100 or equivalent is highly recommended before enrolling in this course.) (May be repeated for credit.) A continuation and refinement of the modern dance techniques and principles addressed in DANC 10100.

DANC 20200
Ballet II Sem. 1 and 2. 1 lecture, 2 studio, cr.2. Prerequisite: none. (May be repeated for credit.) A continuation of the principles and techniques of classical ballet addressed in DANC 10200.

DANC 20300 
Jazz Dance II Sem. 1 and 2. 1 lecture, 2 studio, cr.2 Prerequisite: none. (May be repeated for credit.) A continuation and refinement of the jazz dance concepts and movement vocabulary addressed in DANC 10300.

DANC 23000
Biomechanics Of Dance, Movement and Strength Sem. 1 and 2. 1 lecture, 2 studio, cr. 2 Prerequisite: none. (May be repeated for credit.) This course will provide conceptual and experiential understanding of biomechanical approaches to ballet technique. Through studio, lecture, movement exercises and assignments, the students will learn to perform ballet movement with ease, strength and economy of motion.

DANC 24500
Practicum In Dance Performance And Production Sem. 1 and 2. 3 or 6 studio, cr. 1 or 2. Prerequisite: open through audition and instructor approval is required. Corequisite: DANC 20100, 30100, 20200. (May be repeated for credit.) The study and practice of dance rehearsal, performance, and basic concert production techniques, culminating in a main stage dance concert. 

DANC 26000
Dance Improvisation Sem. 1 and 2. 3 studio, cr. 3. Prerequisite: none. (May be repeated for credit.) In this course students explore a variety of techniques for creating movement. While physically researching concepts from a broad spectrum of improvisational artists, students expand their boundaries and definitions of dance, art and creativity. Important concepts include choice making, moving from internal motivations, and ensemble collaboration. All backgrounds in dance and movement are welcome, and will benefit from this course.

DANC 26100
Contact Improvisation Sem. 1 and 2. 3 studio, cr. 3. Prerequisite: none. (May be repeated for credit.) This course is both a physical practice and philosophical exploration of the techniques and underlying premise of this contemporary partner dance form. Contact Improvisation training involves a practice of movement improvisation while developing the body's ability to attend to the effects of gravity, muscle tone and anatomical structures on dancing solo and in partnership. While increasing their body awareness, respect, sensitivity and connection, students learn about collaborative community creativity, which can be applied in other settings including design, performance and social activism. DANC 26000 is a good preparation for this course, but not required.

Undergraduate Level / Upper-Division Courses

DANC 30000
Dance Production Lab Sem 1 and 2, cr. 1 or 2 variable. 3 Studio. Prerequisite: none. (May be repeated for credit). Teaches all aspects of producing a dance performance, from backstage to onstage. Students learn the technical aspects of creating a professional performance by both observing performance production and developing an actual performance.

DANC 30100
Modern Dance Technique III Sem.1 and 2. 1 lecture, 2 studio, cr. 2. Prerequisite: none. (Three semesters DANC 20100 or equivalent is highly recommended before enrolling in this course.) (May be repeated for credit.) A continuation and refinement of the modern dance techniques and principles addressed in DANC 20100. Emphasis placed on expressive qualities of movement.

DANC 34500
Choreography Sem. 1 and 2. 1 lecture, 4 studio, cr. 3. Prerequisite: none. (DANC 14000, three semesters of DANC 20100, or equivalent is highly recommended before enrolling in this course.) An introduction to the theory and practice of the principles and utilization of choreographic tools; movement exploration, manipulation of basic dance elements, development of movement themes, and application of compositional dance forms.

DANC 34600
Intermediate Choreography Sem. 1 and 2. 3 studio, cr. 1. Prerequisite: DANC 34500 and instructor approval is required. A study of selected principles underlying the design of group performance in modern dance.

DANC 35000
Dance for the Camera Sem 1 and 2, cr. 3. 1 Lecture, 2 Studio. Prerequisite: none. An introduction to the technical and aesthetic techniques to create screendance or dance film, with an emphasis on camera use, editing techniques, development and production of choreographic projects designed specifically for film format.

DANC 35100
Intermedia Dance Technology Sem 1 and 2, cr. 3. 1 Lecture, 2 Studio. Prerequisite: none. An introduction to dance and intermedia within the choreographic process. Integration of movement and various forms of technology which might involve digital images, film, animation, programing, sensors, sound, lighting, and/or robotics.

DANC 36800
Dance Sound Design Sem 1 and 2, cr. 1. 3 Studio. Pre-requisite: THTR 25300 or 26300.
For intermediate to advanced students who desire an opportunity to practice their sonic art in a realized collaboration with other artists. Each sound designer involved in this course will collaborate with a choreographer from the Division of Dance to create a sound score for the Purdue Contemporary Dance Company Concert (PCDC).

DANC 37800
Survey of Concert Dance History Sem 1 and 2, cr. 3. 3 Lecture. Prerequisite: none. A broad survey of concert dance history predominately in the 20th and 21st century in Western cultures. The direct relationship and influence of the culture, training, choreographic, and performative records of dance practices, to socio-political ideologies of gender, race, sexuality, and national identities will be the areas of investigation.

DANC 37900

Art of Protest. Sem 1 and 2, cr.3. 1 Lecture, 2 studio. This interdisciplinary course examines the role of the arts and the artist and their relationship to activism throughout history and beyond. From print makers, to musicians, to choreographers, to performance artists, students will engage and evaluate the act of making as a tactic of resistance and the responses to those acts. Students will research, watch, discuss, create, and perform their own projects that promote social transformation. 

DANC 49000
Special Problems in Dance Sem. 1 and 2. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (May be repeated for credit.) Individual readings, topics, or projects in dance.