Dance, BA
for the degree of Bachelor of Arts Major in Dance
The BA curriculum in dance is designed to provide an integrated and individualized approach to undergraduate studies of dance. The degree is designed for students who want to explore interdisciplinary approaches to art-making, and/or simultaneously pursue a minor or major in another discipline. Students will study core areas in Dance: Foundations, Physical Practice, Creative Practice, Performance Production, Context, and Synthesis. Students will identify at least one other key area of interest such as Psychology, Kinesiology, Theater Studies, Music, Anthropology, Business, Art & Design, Environment, Film, Gender Studies, Cultural Studies, etc., and will choose a Major, Minor or Focused Electives in this area of study under consultation with an advisor. Under the mentorship of a faculty member, students will propose a research project to the undergraduate committee for approval. This research will culminate in a BA Senior Thesis, evidencing a synthesis of their studies within dance and another area of study.
Students pursuing a Dance degree at the University of Illinois must first be admitted to the BFA in Dance (audition required). Once admitted, those desiring an interdisciplinary education may choose to apply for admittance into the BA in Dance, rather than continuing in the BFA.
Evaluation of majors is an ongoing process. Continued enrollment in the program is contingent upon satisfactory performance. A student is expected to maintain a minimum 2.75 grade point average in all dance coursework in order to remain in good standing in the department.
A total of 120 hours is required for this degree.
for the degree of Bachelor of Arts Major in Dance
Graduation Requirements
Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours.
Dance coursework grade point average minimum: 2.75
University Requirements
Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 400-level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree. Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.
The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.
General Education Requirements
Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Composition I | 4-6 | |
| Advanced Composition | 3 | |
| Humanities & the Arts (6 hours) | 6 | |
fulfilled by DANC 100 and any other course approved as Humanities & the Arts | ||
| Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
fulfilled by DANC 100 | ||
| Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I) | 6-10 | |
| Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required) | 0-15 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Courses | 2 | |
| FAA 101 | Arts at Illinois | 1 |
| DANC 150 | The Green Room | 1 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Practice | 18 | |
| DANC 160 | Dancing Techniques I (variable & repeatable) | 6 |
| DANC 245 | Mindful Movement | 1 |
| DANC 260 | Dancing Techniques II (variable & repeatable) | 4 |
| or DANC 316 | Dancing Techniques Elective | |
| Choose from the following: | 7 | |
DANC 160 | Dancing Techniques I | |
| Lyric Theatre Dance | ||
| Musical Theater Dance | ||
DANC 245 | Mindful Movement | |
| Choreographic Laboratory I | ||
DANC 260 | Dancing Techniques II | |
| Dancing in Community I & II | ||
| Dancing Techniques III | ||
| Collaborative Performance | ||
| Choreographic Laboratory II | ||
| Dancing Techniques IV | ||
| Physical Practice Study Abroad | ||
| Dancing in Community III & IV | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Creative Practice | 6 | |
| DANC 259 | Dance Improvisation I | 2 |
| DANC 262 | Choreographic Process I | 2 |
| DANC 362 | Choreographic Process II | 2 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 2 | |
| DANC 232 | Repertory Company | 2 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Production | 2 | |
| Choose two of the following: | ||
| Production Practicum I | ||
| Production Practicum II | ||
| Dance Documentation | ||
| Production Practicum III | ||
| Production Practicum IV | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Context | 19 | |
| DANC 100 | Intro to Contemporary Dance | 3 |
| DANC 162 | Viewing Dance | 1 |
| DANC 475 | Dance Research Methods | 3 |
| Choose 12 hours from: | 12 | |
| Black Dances of Resistance | ||
| Undergraduate Open Seminar | ||
| Explore Music through Dance | ||
| Context | ||
| Dancing Black Popular Culture | ||
| Dance Anatomy and Kinesiology | ||
| Teaching Dance | ||
| Individual Study/Creative Investigations | ||
Additional study abroad hours, maximum 3, chosen in consultation with advisor. | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Synthesis | 5 | |
| DANC 375 | Thesis Think Tank | 1 |
| DANC 496 | BA Senior Thesis Research | 2 |
| DANC 497 | BA Senior Thesis Symposium | 2 |
| Focused Electives in Secondary Area of Study | 15 | |
| Free electives as needed to total 120 hours minimum | ||
| A minimum of 40 credits at the 300 or 400 course level are required | ||
| Total Hours Required for the Bachelor of Arts in Dance | 120 | |
for the degree of Bachelor of Arts Major in Dance
This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.
Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. See the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| DANC 150 | 1 | DANC 100 | 3 |
| DANC 160 | 2 | DANC 160 | 2 |
| Context course from 'choose 12 hours' list | 3 | DANC 162 | 1 |
| Composition I or Language Other than English (3rd level) | 4 | Composition I or Language Other than English (3rd level) | 4 |
| FAA 101 | 1 | General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| 14 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| DANC 259 | 2 | DANC 260 or 316 | 2 |
| DANC 131 | 1 | DANC 231 | 1 |
| DANC 232 | 2 | DANC 245 | 1 |
| DANC 262 | 2 | Context course from '12 hours' list | 3 |
| DANC 160 | 2 | Physical Practice course from '7 hours' list | 2 |
| Focused Elective in Secondary Area of Study | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | Free Elective course | 2 |
| 15 | 14 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| DANC 362 | 2 | DANC 375 | 1 |
| Focused Elective in Secondary Area of Study | 3 | Focused Elective in Secondary Area of Study | 3 |
| Physical Practice course from '7 hours' list | 2 | Focused Elective in Secondary Area of Study | 3 |
| DANC 475 | 3 | Focused Elective in Secondary Area of Study | 3 |
| DANC 260 or DANC 316 | 2 | General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| DANC 496 | 2 | DANC 497 | 2 |
| Physical Practice course from '7 hours' list | 2 | Physical Practice course from '7 hours' list | 1 |
| Context course from '12 hours' list | 3 | Context course from '12 hours' list | 3 |
| Context course from '12 hours' list | 3 | General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 | Free Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 2 | Free Elective course | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Hours 120 | |||
for the degree of Bachelor of Arts Major in Dance
Upon graduation, new alumni from the Bachelor of Arts program will be able to:
- Dance with enthusiasm allied with basic technical and performance skills in more than one dance form.
- Appreciate the socio-cultural, political, and historical contexts of the forms in which they dance.
- Articulate dance research interests in anatomical, cultural, and/or epistemological terms.
- Produce capstone research that reflects a synthesis of studies in dance and other fields.
- Employ diverse modes of thinking, both orally and in writing, to communicate ideas relating to dance and other fields.
- Demonstrate critical self-reflection, curiosity, self-motivation, and entrepreneurialism in all aspects of their engagement with dance, research, and community.
- Integrate their dance studies with their other chosen field of specialty and produce a capstone project that evidences research skill, depth of inquiry, and relevance to society.
for the degree of Bachelor of Arts Major in Dance
Dance
Dance Department website
dance@illinois.edu
College of Fine & Applied Arts
Admissions
Overview of the College of Fine & Applied Arts Admissions & Requirements
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Undergrad Admissions
admissions@illinois.edu