College Bulletin 2016-2017 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Music and Dance: Dance
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Courses
Faculty
SHARON E. FRIEDLER, Professor of Dance
KIM D. ARROW, Associate Professor of Dance
PALLABI CHAKRAVORTY, Associate Professor of Dance
OLIVIA SABEE, Assistant Professor of Dance
JUMATATU POE, Assistant Professor of Dance (part time)
LADEVA DAVIS, Associate in Dance Performance (part time)
NI LUH KADEK KUSUMA DEWI, Associate in Dance Performance (part time)
JOHN GARDNER, Associate in Dance Performance (part time)
REBECCA MALCOLM-NAIB, Associate in Dance Performance (part time)
AMANDA McKERROW, Associate in Dance Performance (part time)
CHANDRA MOSS-THORNE, Associate in Dance Performance (part time)
SALEANA PETTAWAY, Associate in Dance Performance (part time)
PRASHANT SHAH, Associate in Dance Performance (part time)
HANS BOMAN, Dance Accompanist
BERNADETTE DUNNING, Administrative Coordinator
SUSAN GROSSI, Administrative Assistant
2 Absent on leave, fall 2016.
3 Absent on leave, 2016-2017.
At Swarthmore, dance is a global discourse. The dance and music programs share an integrated approach to composition, history, performance, and theory in lecture/discussion and studio practice courses. We believe this is central to the understanding of dance as an artistic, intellectual, and social inquiry within a liberal arts context.
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The Academic Program
The mission of the program is to offer students dance experiences that privilege a merging of embodied practice and history/theory in relation to more than one situated perspective (those listed above). Some courses concentrate on one cultural context only (this is true generally in history, repertory, and technique). Others put a variety of perspectives in conversation (choreographic laboratories, improvisation, history, repertory, and theory).The role of dance as an agent of social change is also present in Swarthmore dance offerings. All dance studies courses engage students in an investigation of the relationship of dance to other arts and areas of thought.
Given the program’s emphasis on developing an awareness of the global nature of dance, study abroad opportunities are seen as a very useful aspect of a student’s undergraduate dance experience. Such study is especially encouraged for dance majors and minors. Study abroad dance programs developed by members of the dance faculty are available in France, Ghana, India, Japan, and United Kingdom. Dance components are also available in programs in Spain and Argentina. Social change engagement is available as an aspect of study abroad experiences in Ghana, India, and Northern Ireland. Additional information regarding study abroad experiences is listed below and can also be found on both the Dance Program and Off-Campus Study websites. In order to further enhance student engagement with the field at large, every year the program hosts diverse national and international dance artists and scholars.
Course Major
The goal of the course major in Dance is to expose a student to the broad scope of the field. The distribution of required courses for the major provides students with an introduction to Dance Studies, Choreography, and Performance, and allows them to direct their final credit(s) in the major toward a specific focus: Choreography, Dance Studies or an Individually Created focus. Majors will be required to develop an extended paper or a significant dance performance piece as part of their focus. All dance majors and minors are strongly encouraged to participate in technique and repertory classes each term.
Prerequisites for the Major including all areas of focus:
These prerequisites are strongly recommended for first-year students and must be completed before the junior year. If a student has not completed all of these prerequisites at the time of an application for a major but has done good work in one or more courses in the program, the student may be accepted on a provisional basis.
1. One Dance Studies course
2. DANC 011. Dance Lab I: Making Dance
3. One Dance Technique class (in any style) for academic credit
Prerequisite credits for Majors: 2.5
Requirements for each focus are as follows:
Dance Studies
1. Four Dance Studies courses
2. Two Dance Technique and/or Repertory/Ensemble courses - one Western and one non-Western course
3. *DANC 095 or 096. Senior Thesis
Total credits in focus: 6 - 7
Choreography
1. DANC 012. Dance Lab II: Making Dance or if not offered, DANC 013. Dance Composition Tutorial (twice)
2. DANC 045. Dance Technique: Yoga
3. Two Dance Studies courses
4. Two Dance Repertory/Ensemble courses- one Western and one non-Western course
5. Two Technique courses (any style)
6. *DANC 094. Senior Project
Total credits in focus: 6.5
Note: Majors with a focus in Choreography are also strongly encouraged to enroll in THEA 003 Fundamentals of Design for Theater Performance and THEA 004B. Lighting Design.
Individually created focus
Individually Created focus: see Special Major
Total prerequisites and credits required for Majors: 8.5 - 9.5
*The senior project/thesis is required of all Majors.
The dance faculty encourages students to pursue a senior project/thesis that incorporates a comparison or integration of dance with some other creative or performing art (creative writing, music, theater, or visual art), with a community-based learning component, or with another academic discipline of the student’s interest.
Course Minor
The goal of the course minor in dance is to expose a student to the broad scope of the field. The distribution of required courses for the minor provides students with an introduction to Choreography, Dance Studies, and Performance, and allows them to direct their final credit(s) in the minor toward a specific focus:Choreography or Dance Studies. Minors will be encouraged, but not required, to develop an extended paper or a significant dance performance piece as part of their program. All dance majors and minors are strongly encouraged to participate in technique and repertory classes each semester.
Prerequisites for the Minor including both areas of focus:
These prerequisites are strongly recommended for first-year students and must be completed before the junior year. If a student has not completed all of these prerequisites at the time of an application for a minor, but has done good work in one or more courses in the program, the student may be accepted on a provisional basis.
1. One Dance Studies course
2. One Technique or Repertory/ensemble course for academic credit
Prerequisite credits for Minor: 1.5
Course requirements for minor:
1. DANC 011. Dance Lab I: Making Dance
2. One Dance Studies course
3. Additional courses (totaling 2 credits) proposed by the student and approved on an individual basis by the faculty from a combination of choreography, dance studies, repertory, and technique courses.
Total credits in Minor: 4
Total prerequisites and credits required for Minor: 5.5
Honors Major
Majors in the Honors Program must have received a grade of B+ or better in all dance courses before admission. In addition to the guidelines noted later, each honors major will be responsible for the material designated on the reading and video lists for senior honors study available from the department office.
The Dance Major in Honors is identical to the Dance Course Major in its prerequisites and focus requirements.
Additional Requirements for the Dance Honors Major:
Requirements for the Honors Major:
All dance majors in the Honors Program must do three preparations.
1. Literature review - combination of two Dance Studies courses.
2. Composition video review - analysis of various choreographers and their context.
3. Senior Project or Thesis
- *DANC 094. Senior Project - Choreography focus (with paper)
- *DANC 095/096. Senior Thesis - Dance Studies focus
Each student’s program will include the following:
Dance Studies
Dance Studies Focus for Honors Major
Each student will demonstrate his or her knowledge of areas of dance research via an annotated bibliographic list and an in-depth scholarly paper. This paper, along with appropriate papers from Dance Studies courses submitted for preparation, will be sent to the examiner. The written and oral exam for this preparation will consist of a response to three questions set by the examiner.
Choreography
Choreography Focus for Honors Major
Each student may submit a combination of Dance Lab I: Making Dance (DANC 011) plus either Dance Lab II: Making Dance (DANC 012), or Composition Tutorial (DANC 013) two times. The syllabi (where appropriate), a video of the final work, and a paper concerning the choreographic process from each class will be submitted to the examiner.
The portfolio submitted by each student will include both written materials and a video that provides examples of the student’s choreographic and/or performance work at Swarthmore (a maximum of 20 minutes in length).
*Senior project/thesis.
These projects/theses will be individually determined. Each student will be assigned a faculty adviser who will assist the student in the creation of an initial bibliography or videography or both as well as an outline for the project or thesis. It will then be the student’s responsibility to proceed with the work independently.
Honors Minor
The Dance Minor in Honors is identical to the Dance Course Minor in its prerequisites and focus requirements.
Students in the Honors Program who are presenting a major in another discipline and a minor in dance must do two preparations in dance. Preparations will take the form of either Choreography or Dance Studies described earlier in the text concerning honors majors in dance. Honors minors in Choreography will complete the composition video review preparation in addition to a *Senior Project. Honors minors in Dance Studies will complete the literature review preparation in addition to a *Senior Thesis. The choice regarding focus for a student’s minor will be determined in consultation with an adviser from the dance faculty.
*Senior project/thesis.
These projects/theses will be individually determined. Each student will be assigned a faculty adviser who will assist the student in the creation of an initial bibliography or videography or both as well as an outline for the project or thesis. It will then be the student’s responsibility to proceed with the work independently.
Special Major
The program for a Special Major comprises a minimum of five credits in dance coursework. The two disciplines in this major may be philosophically linked or may represent separate areas of the student’s interest. The faculty encourages students to consider the philosophical links between the two disciplines. Examples of past special majors include: Dance and Anthropology, Dance and Art, Dance and Biology, Dance and Education, and Dance and Psychology. Special Majors are encouraged to take at least one dance class before applying.
All Special Majors will design their programs in consultation with a faculty adviser.
Dance Studies
1. Four Dance Studies courses
2. DANC 095. Senior Thesis
Choreography
1. One Dance Studies course
2. DANC 011. Dance Lab: Making Dance I
3. DANC 012. Dance Lab: Making Dance II
4. DANC 013. Dance Composition: Tutorial
5. DANC 045. Dance Technique: Yoga
6. DANC 094. Senior Project
Additional Information Regarding the Dance Program
Dance Technique Courses
In a typical semester, more than 30 hours of dance technique classes are offered on graded levels presenting a variety of movement styles. Technique courses, numbered 040 through 048, 050 to 053, and 060 or 061, may be taken for academic credit or may be taken to fulfill physical education requirements. Advanced dancers are encouraged to consult with instructors regarding placement in level III technique classes. A total of not more than 8 full credits (16 0.5-credit courses) in performance dance technique classes and in music performance classes may be counted toward the degrees of bachelor of arts and bachelor of science. No retroactive credit is given for performance classes.
Dance Program Performance Opportunities
All interested students are encouraged to enroll in repertory classes (DANC 049, 071 or 078) and/or to audition for student and faculty works. These auditions occur several times each semester; dates are announced in classes and in postings outside the dance studios. Formal concerts take place toward the end of each semester; informal studio concerts are scheduled throughout the year.
The Dance Program regularly sponsors guest artist teaching and performance residencies. In addition, the program regularly hosts guest choreographers who work with student ensembles in technique and repertory classes.
Ghana Program
The Dance Program has an ongoing relationship with the International Centre for African Music and Dance and the School of Performing Arts at the University of Ghana in Legon, a suburb of the capital city, Accra. Students choosing to study in Ghana can anticipate opportunities that include a composite of classroom learning, tutorials, some organized travel, and independent study and travel. Beyond credits in dance, music, theater, African studies, and intensive Twi (an Akan language widely spoken in Ghana), a menu of courses at the University of Ghana is also available. Students participating are able to enroll for the equivalent of a full semester’s credit (4 to 5 credits). Community-based learning internships, in dance and other subjects, are also an option. Interested students should contact the director of dance as early as possible for advising purposes and for updated information.
Additional Opportunities
Additional dance study abroad initiatives of a more independent nature are under way in France, India, Japan and Northern Ireland. The program in Northern Ireland can incorporate a strong focus on the arts and social change. Tamagawa University in Machida, near Tokyo, offers course study in classical Japanese and folk dance, taiko drumming, contemporary dance and ballet, and Japanese language. Students are encouraged to discuss these programs with the director of dance.
Choreography and Design and Dance Studies Courses
Dance Technique and Repertory/Ensemble Courses
Note: Technique courses (040-048, 050-053, 060, and 061) and Repertory courses (049 [all sections], 071 and 078) may be taken for 0.5 academic credit or may be taken for physical education credit. All dance technique courses numbered 040 to 048 are open to all students without prerequisite. Courses numbered 050 to 058 and 060 to 061 have a prerequisite of either successful completion of the introductory course in that style or permission of the instructor.
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