Dance Minor

Program Coordinator/Contact

Jim Wood, Program Coordinator
School of Performing Arts
Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center 189N, Box 2830
605-688-5188

Program Information

The dance minor at SDSU was created as a holistic and inclusive minor. Holistic in the nature that the minor embraces many genres of dance to include: social, multi-cultural, creative movement, dance for the musical theatre and jazz, tap, ballet and modern dance techniques. The minor has a strong theory, compositional and improvisational base. The minor is inclusive from the perspective that all students no matter their history or training will find opportunities for growth and transformation in the program.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students are expected to:

1. Composition and Choreography: embody and integrate fundamental elements of movement exploration, enlist compositional devices to create choreographic form and structure, demonstrate the development of an artistic voice, and informed aesthetic sensibility.
2. Dance Technique: demonstrate kinesthetic competence in the form of physical clarity, body organization, movement skill and phrasing, exhibit presence in performance through dynamic engagement, musical phrasing and responsivity to others.
3. Academic Content: comprehend and enlist historical, anatomic, and pedagogic dance knowledge to support a position, clarify a perspective, or elaborate a thesis; demonstrate the ability to enlist dance knowledge effectively in various arenas to write and speak clearly and accurately about the field.
4. Professionalism: exemplify standards of professionalism to include: productive work habits, organizational skills, and effective communication in oral and written forms. 

Students should be prepared to:

1. Perform in public as dancers,
2. Develop visual and aural perceptions,
3. Become familiar with and develop competence in a number of dance techniques,
4. Become familiar with the historic and cultural context of dance,
5. Understand and evaluate the contemporary thinking of dance, and related arts,
6. Make informed assessments on the quality of dance works.

Course Delivery Format

The dance curriculum is delivered in studio, laboratory, discussion, and lecture-based settings.