DANCE (DANC)

This course introduces dance as an art form composed for the stage and as a social form present in all cultures. Students will gain the necessary skills and understanding for an appreciation of the social, physical, and artistic qualities of dance through various forms and cultures.

Beginning and continuing instruction in jazz dance. This course includes the technique, vocabulary and history of the genre. Fall.

In this course, students learn the vocabulary, history, elementary principles and techniques of Contemporary and Modern Dance. Students also develop an understanding and appreciation of dance as a disciplined art form and integral part of the performing arts. This is a beginning level course. Fall.

In this course, students learn the vocabulary, history, elementary principles and techniques of Ballet. Students also develop an understanding and appreciation of Ballet as a disciplined art form and integral part of the performing arts. This is a beginning level course.

This course provides the necessary skills and understanding for an appreciation of the social, physical, and artistic qualities of dance through various cultures. Physical learning of a number of social/ballroom dance forms is paired with cognitive and emotional understanding of the countries and cultures from which they were derived. Students study the concepts of lead/follow, the transition from social to concert dance as a global phenomenon and gain an understanding of dance from a global perspective.

This course uses concepts of theatre-, dance-, and visual arts-based research to solve problems. Students will be exposed, through lecture and assignments, to theories and methods from each art form and will learn to integrate the art forms to explore complex concepts through performance.

This course introduces the foundations of human movement and Functional Awareness Principles. This course is designed to encourage optimal use of the dancer’s body through exploration of proper alignment techniques, somatic practices and human anatomy and physiology. Increased knowledge of human movement empowers students to prevent injury and enhance longevity and performance. Students are challenged to explore course content through lectures, classroom discussion, and practical dance training exercises.

Topic to be determined by instructor.

The First-Year Seminar (FYS) introduces new Gonzaga students to the University, the Core Curriculum, and Gonzaga’s Jesuit mission and heritage. While the seminars will be taught by faculty with expertise in particular disciplines, topics will be addressed in a way that illustrates approaches and methods of different academic disciplines. The seminar format of the course highlights the participatory character of university life, emphasizing that learning is an active, collegial process.

This intermediate course in jazz dance focuses on technique, vocabulary, choreography and performance studies.

In this intermediate course, students continue to learn the vocabulary, principles, and techniques of Contemporary Modern Dance. Students also develop an understanding and appreciate of dance as a disciplined art form and integral part of the performing arts.

This intermediate course in Ballet builds upon the elementary principles and techniques of Ballet I, focuses on technique, an expanded dance vocabulary, and a survey of ballet styles and methodology.

In this course, students learn the specifics of how to produce dance concerts. The learning experience includes participation in producing dance concerts including but not limited to assistant stage management, production meetings, theatre preparation, light board operation, sound board operation, and house management.

This course introduces students to major concepts and approaches in the study of dance as a political, historical, and artistic practice. Students will look at dance as a reflection of culture and as an art form from earliest societies to the present, focusing on western dance history and its multi-cultural influences.

This course critically explores musical theatre and its history through a global lens. Using a thematic approach, students analyze how the socioeconomic, societal, and cultural realities of historical periods, around the world, are reflected in the artform. Course materials cover influential theaters, producers, writers, composers, and performers - paying special attention to the marginalized cultures and individuals who have contributed to the development of the form but have been systemically left out of academic acknowledgement.

Topic to be determined by instructor.

In this zero credit course taken each fall of sophomore and junior years, Interdisciplinary Arts Minor students will submit work from the year before into an e-portfolio format. This will be reviewed by the Director and the student in a scheduled meeting, reviewing ideas for the senior synthesis project and ensuring they are on track with coursework.

Topic to be determined by instructor.

In this course, students learn Musical Theatre Dance and History. By examining the unique aspects of multiple styles of dance and physically learning numbers from musical theatre, students prepare for the Spring Dance Concert. This course is a performance-focused study of Dance, but also includes research and presentations in Musical Theatre Dance history.

This course is an examination of the history and the physical styles of hip hop, fusion, funk, contemporary, and other pop culture genres of dance. This experiential dance class includes a public performance in the Spring Dance Concert. First level class recommended. Spring, odd years.

Advanced course in Jazz focuses on technique and individual artistry and includes a survey of relevant dance works, companies, and careers in dance. When taken in conjunction with DANC 405 students perform in the Spring Dance Concert.

Advanced course in Contemporary Modern Dance focuses on technique and individual artistry and includes a survey of relevant dance works, companies, and careers in dance. When taken in conjunction with DANC 410 students perform in the Spring Dance Concert.

Advanced course in Ballet focuses on technique and individual artistry and includes a survey of relevant dance works, ballet companies, and careers in dance. In addition, this course provides students with an opportunity to continue their study of classical ballet technique with an emphasis on technical and artistic development through their participation in the Spring Dance Concert.

Participation as a performer in a Dance Program company or ensemble. Spring and Fall. Course repeatable for 6 credits

Topic to be determined by instructor.

Advanced course in Jazz Dance focuses on the application of technique, individual artistry and choreography in performance. Dancers participate in public performances of the Spring Dance Concert. Spring.

Advanced course in Contemporary and Modern Dance focuses on the application of technique, individual artistry and choreography in performance. Dancers participate in public performances of the Spring Dance Concert. Spring.

This advanced course in Ballet has a co-requisite of DANC 315 Ballet III, which focuses on technique and individual artistry and includes a survey of relevant dance works, ballet companies, and careers in dance. In addition, this course provides students with an opportunity to continue their study of classical ballet technique with an emphasis on technical and artistic development through their participation in the Spring Dance Concert.

A career preparation and individual artistic development experience in a cohort and mentorship setting. Students engage in self-initiated as well as guided exercises to prepare for life and career after graduation. Fall.

Students learn the specifics of how to produce dance concerts. The learning experience includes advanced participation in producing fall dance concerts including but not limited to marketing, production meeting, theatre preparation, lighting, sound, house management etc.

This course is about finding one’s ‘voice’ through the study and application of the art of dance composition. Choreography in dance history, contemporary methods, dynamics, rhythm, design, motivation, gesture and improvisation are explored as basic elements for building dance. The final project will be presenting a work in the Gonzaga Student Choreography Concert. Students will leave this course able to express their creative ideas through the artistic medium of dance. It is strongly recommended that students participate in the Student Choreography Concert as a dancer prior to taking this course.

This course builds on the coursework from THEA 425. With a foundation in dance conceptualization, analysis, communication, and choreography, students create advanced compositions by further developing their voice as a dance artist. Students in this course have the opportunity to observe, reflect and revise and further develop their individual creative voice.

Participation as a choreographer (working closely with faculty advisor(s)) in a Department dance company/ensemble or Theatrical production. Spring and Fall.

In this course, students learn a variety of dance teaching styles, strategies, curriculum planning, and evaluation methods. Students will develop their own teaching style through a service-learning practicum leading an after-school creative dance program (ZagDance). Students will examine how economic factors including access, transportation and support can hinder the children’s previous exposure to dance class. Emphasis is placed on teaching basic creative dance to build a positive classroom environment while meeting the needs of various levels of elementary dance students.

Students will continue to explore a variety of pedagogical styles and strategies, curriculum planning and evaluation methods in the field of dance.

Topic and work load to be determined by student and instructor.