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 Theatre.

Seattle is the home of Pacific Northwest Ballet, On The Boards, and numerous modern dance companies. The UW World Series at Meany Theater bring internationally acclaimed companies to campus, and offer a number of master classes with renown 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. If interested in applying for the Dance Major please contact the Dance Program’s academic advisor. Students interested in the Dance Major 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.

Dance Major Requirements: 67 Dance credits

Required courses		Credits
Dance 166	Dance Composition I	5
Dance 242	Music in Relation to Dance	3
Dance 250	Cross-Cultural Dance Studies	5
Dance 270*	Dance Performance	2
Dance 344/345	Early or Late Dance History (writing intensive)	5
Dance 390	Dance Teaching Methodologies	5
Dance 480	Senior Seminar	3
Dance 493	Anatomy for Dance	5
Electives
Dance 234	World Dance and Culture	3
Dance 235	Integrated Dance: Training and Composition	3
Dance 266**	Dance Composition II	3
Dance 336	Integrated Dance: History, Methodology and Praxis	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
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 230,232,233	Alternative Movement Studies	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.

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