Dance

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Professors Abrams, Brosterman
Lecturers Branfman, Johansen, Smith

Dance is the study of bodily movement in its many manifestations–as an expressive art form, as a key to the humanistic study of the world’s cultures, and as a means of gaining understanding and control over one’s self and environment.

The Scripps Dance program centers on the interdisciplinary study of dance and movement. Advanced technical training is provided and encouraged. However, the focus of the program is on developing integrated individuals who can think, feel, and speak with their bodies as well as their minds. Graduates have gone on to perform and choreograph professionally or have moved towards careers or graduate study in arts administration, criticism, education, dance ethnology, dance history, film and video, movement therapy, somatics, physical therapy, or medicine.

Scripps dance classes, noted for individualized instruction and course work, are open to all students regardless of their majors. Cross-disciplinary connections are encouraged and supported. Technique classes may be repeated until the student is ready to advance to the next level. Customarily this takes two semesters.

Although Scripps dance classes are non-competitive and emphasize sound warm-up and stretching techniques, dance is a strenuous physical pursuit that places greater demands on the body than everyday activity. Students with a history of injury or health problems are advised to consult a physician prior to participating.

Choreographic Opportunities

A number of performance and choreographic opportunities are available to all students. The fall dance concert, In the Works, is produced jointly with Pomona Dance. In the spring, Scripps and Pomona each produce their own mainstage concerts. An informal, intercollegiate, student-produced concert, Fast Forward, takes place at the end of spring semester. Additional projects related to classes or independent student projects frequently occur. Normally, students are expected to take Dance Composition I before, or concurrent with, choreographing for a Scripps Dance production. Students must choreograph for an informal concert (i.e., In the Works, Fast Forward, or independent project) before their work will be considered for inclusion in a mainstage production.

Learning Outcomes of the Program in Dance

Department Goals and/or Objectives

Goals are broad statements that describe what the program wants to accomplish

1. Develop awareness of dance/movement as a reflection of culture and personal identity.
2. Develop each individual’s creative/expressive powers through movement.
3. Develop understanding and appreciation of how bodies move physically, and in response to emotional and environmental factors.
4. Develop observational skills and the ability to articulate and form ideas verbally and through movement.
5. Foster a positive group dynamic through shared movement/research/production experiences and dialogue.

Student Learning Outcomes

Outcomes describe specific knowledge, abilities, values, and attitudes students should demonstrate

SLO1: Students will demonstrate competent level of awareness of dance/movement as a reflection of culture and personal identity.
SLO2: Students display creative/expressive powers through movement.
SLO3: Students show ability in functional movement technique.
SLO4: Students demonstrate appropriate use of discipline-specific vocabulary and concepts, and the ability to link ideas and form arguments.
SLO5: Students demonstrate historical perspective and broaden understanding of aesthetic criteria.
SLO6: Students demonstrate the ability to link ideas and form arguments.
SLO7: Students show they can foster a positive group dynamic.
SLO8: Students report impact of dance/movement experience on their personal and professional lifelong path.
 

Programs

• Courses in Dance
• Dance Major
• Dance Minor

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