The Dance Major
The University of Washington Dance Program offers a dance major leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree. The curriculum offers a highly integrated course of study with a rigorous balance between creative work and academic study. Students will understand dance as an art form and as a cultural practice, and are given the opportunity to explore dance from multiple perspectives: kinesthetic, scientific, historic, aesthetic, compositional, musical, technological and ethnographic. Ballet and modern dance are the primary techniques, along with classes in non-western dance forms, somatic practices, and jazz. The Dance Program produces four concerts annually. Additional performance and choreographic opportunities are available through concerts sponsored by the Dance Student Association.

In keeping with the liberal arts setting, students are encouraged to find the convergence between dance and other academic and artistic pursuits that interest them. Faculty and advisors work closely with students to guide them on the educational track that best serves their career goals. The undergraduate curriculum serves as preparation for graduate study, performance careers, dance related occupations such as physical therapy and dance therapy, and other fields demanding strong communication skills, creativity, commitment, and the ability to work collaboratively and independently.

Staffed with six full-time faculty, a Music Director and Technical Director, the Program sustains approximately forty majors, eighty minors and six graduate students. Facilities include three spacious and light-filled studios with performance quality sound equipment, an intimate 238 seat black box theatre and the 1,200 seat Meany Theater.

Seattle is the home of Pacific Northwest Ballet, On The Boards, and numerous modern dance companies. The UW World Series at Meany Theater brings internationally acclaimed companies to campus and offers a number of master classes with renowned dance artists for UW dance students.

Learning goals for the Dance Major

1. Understand dance as a cultural practice that reflects and impacts local communities and global cultures.
2. Develop and practice analytic, evaluative, and contextual skills requisite to critical thinking, kinesthetic understanding, and personal growth.
3. Develop and practice skills in rhythmic, movement and compositional analysis.
4. Develop effective communication and research skills to promote and articulate a deeper understanding of dance practice and theory.
5. Engage in personal assessment and reflective practices that encourage self-directed learning.
6. Understand how basic principles of dance science and teaching methodologies can be applied to technical and aesthetic development.
7. Recognize and expand creative, artistic, and intellectual potentials.

Application procedures
Students may apply to the major program autumn, winter or spring term. Students interested in applying for the Dance Major must complete Dance 250 or Dance 251 and be registered in ballet or modern technique. If interested in applying for the Dance Major please contact the Dance Program’s academic advisor. Students are encouraged to visit the Dance Program and to attend UW dance performances. Prospective students should contact us for an appointment. The academic advisor and faculty members are always happy to answer questions about the Dance Program.

All applicants must have first been accepted as a student at the University of Washington in order to be considered for the Dance Major. Please visit the Contact page for more information on application to the UW and financial aid.

Completion of the major
A number of the courses required in the Dance Major are offered every other year. Consequently, a student should anticipate taking four years to complete the major. From his/her first quarter as a major, a student should work carefully with the Academic Advisor in order to pursue course work in a progression that will guarantee completion of the major in four years.

New Changes Fall 2009!
Dance Major Requirements: 64-71 Dance credits

Gateway courses (one of the following)		Credits
Dance 250	Cross Cultural Dance	5
Dance 251	Creative Process	5
Cross Cultural Component (one of the following)
Dance 250	Cross Cultural Dance	5
Dance 234	World Dance and Culture	3
Dance 336	Integrated Dance: History, Methodology, and Praxis	3
350	Dance Ethnography (offered every other year)	3
Dance History (one of the following)
Dance 344 or 345	Early or Late Dance History (offered alternating years)	5
Required courses (23 credits)
Dance 166	Dance Composition I	5
Dance 242	Music in Relation to Dance	3
Dance 270*	Dance Performance	2
Dance 480	Senior Seminar	3
Dance 493	Anatomy for Dance	5
Dance 494	Dance Teaching Methodologies	5
Electives (at least one of the following)
Dance 234	World Dance and Culture	3
Dance 235	Integrated Dance: Training and Composition	3
Dance 251	Creative Process	3
Dance 266**	Dance Composition II	3
Dance 336	Integrated Dance: History, Methodology and Praxis	3
Dance 350	Dance Ethnography	3
Dance 366**	Dance Composition III	3
Dance 371	Choreography Workshop	3
Dance 420	Dance Aesthetics	3
Dance 490	Special Studies	3
*Up to 4 additional credits of Dance 270 may be taken as electives and may count toward completion of the dance major. **The full comp series (Comp I plus 6 credits in Comp II and/or Comp III, both of which may be repeated) is required for those majors interested in choreographing for the Dance Majors Concert.
Technique (minimum 28 credits) Must have at least 12cr at 300 level or above and at least 6cr in both ballet and modern.
Dance 102	Intro to Dance	5
Dance 104,105,106	Modern Technique I	1-2
Dance 107,108,109	Ballet Technique I	1-2
Dance 110,111,112	Jazz Technique I	1-2
Dance 201,202,203	Ballet Technique II	1-2
Dance 204,205,206	Modern Technique II	1-2
Dance 210,211,212	Jazz Technique II	1-2
Dance 301,302,303	Ballet Technique III	1-2
Dance 304,305,306	Modern Technique III	1-2
Dance 401,402,403	Ballet Technique IV	1-2
Dance 404,405,406	Modern Technique IV	1-2
Dance 230,232,233	Alternative Movement Studies	1-3
Dance 231	Folk and Social Dance Forms	1-3

Please visit the Courses section for course offerings.

Performance activities
All dance majors are required to participate in dance performance activities, including working on a production crew for a dance performance. Another activity might be performing in one of the following three concerts: Faculty Dance Concert, M.F.A. Concert, or the Dance Majors Concert.

Admissions information
Office of Admissions
University of Washington
Box 355840
Seattle, WA 98195-5840
206.543.9686

Financial Aid information
Office of Student Financial Aid
University of Washington
Box 355880
Seattle, WA 98195-5580
206.543.6101

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