Dance, Bachelor of Arts (630P, 630)
- Undergraduate
- AB
- Arts & Letters
- Theatre and Dance
Overview
The AB in Dance is designed to provide a solid foundation in the discipline of dance. A minor (or second major) in another field is also required. The AB in Dance is a 46 credit hour program. You must achieve a level 4 in one dance genre and level 3 in a second genre in order to graduate. By integrating dance and general studies, we strive to create “Thinking Artists,” individuals who work to achieve their highest potential as artists, technicians, and scholars.
Program Requirements (46 hours)
A baccalaureate degree requires a minimum of 120 unduplicated semester hours. More information can be found at www.wku.edu/registrar/degree_certification.php.
Students who began WKU in the Fall 2014 and thereafter should review the Colonnade requirements located at: https://www.wku.edu/colonnade/colonnaderequirements.php.
In addition to the standard WKU admission process, incoming students (including transfer students) wishing to major in Dance must also participate in the department’s initial dance placement audition process, after which they will be enrolled as “seeking admission” into the AB in Dance program. The auditions for course placement will be held every semester. Prospective students must attend one of the audition days or submit a link to a video audition. Following a review of the audition, the dance faculty will send the student a copy of their technique assessment and course placement. The student may then be enrolled as “seeking admission” into the A.B. in Dance degree. Further developmental assessments of seeking admission students will be made by the dance faculty during the first two semesters.
A student may apply for full admittance into the AB in Dance degree after the completion of 2 semesters (transfer students must complete at least 15 hours at WKU).
Students must meet the following minimum requirements before applying:
- A minimum overall grade point average of 2.5
- Completion of 8 hours of dance technique
- Students must have taken or currently be enrolled in a 300 level dance technique course (ballet, jazz, modern).
- Demonstrate proficient talent, commitment, and a reasonable likelihood of achieving the technique level requirements of the degree program.
Following faculty review of applications for the AB in Dance degree, letters of acceptance or non-acceptance will be sent to the students. Students can re-apply once after non-acceptance. Students denied admission into the AB in Dance program may appeal that decision by submitting a written appeal to the department chair. The student must apply for admittance by their 4th semester and be accepted by the completion of their 5th semester. Transfer students must apply and be accepted prior to completing 30 credit hours at WKU.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The following courses are required: | ||
| PERF 175 | University Experience: Performing Arts | 2 |
| PERF 120 | Rehearsal and Production | 1 |
| PERF 220 | Production Lab I (take once as a 1 credit class, or twice as a .5 credit class) | 1 |
| Dance Technique (16 hours) | ||
| Initial placement based on demonstrated skill level. Must achieve at least level 4 in a selected genre and level 3 in a second genre. | ||
| Ballet: A minimum of two ballet technique classes (2 credit hours each) | 4 | |
| Jazz: A minimum of two jazz technique classes (2 credit hours each) | 4 | |
| Modern: A minimum of two modern technique classes (2 hrs. each) | 4 | |
| Tap: A minimum of two tap technique classes (2 credit hours each) | 4 | |
| Dance Study (9 hours) | ||
| DANC 301 | Dance Pedagogy | 3 |
| DANC 350 | Dance History | 3 |
| DANC 445 | Dance Anatomy and Kinesiology | 3 |
| Choreography (8 hours) | ||
| DANC 235 | Dance Improvisation | 2 |
| DANC 310 | Choreography I | 3 |
| DANC 420 | Choreography II | 3 |
| Dance Production (3 hours) | ||
| THEA 250 | Stage Electrics | 3 |
| or THEA 241 | Costume Technology | |
| or THEA 311 | Stage Management | |
| or DANC 400 | Visual Media for Dance | |
| Restricted Electives (6 hours) | ||
| Any two relevant upper-division DANC, PERF, or THEA courses with advisor's approval. | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 46 | |
For a complete explanation of the AB in Dance policies and procedures, please visit the Theatre and Dance department website at https://www.wku.edu/theatre-and-dance/schedules_and_forms/departmental-forms.php and download a copy of the current AB Dance Handbook.
Finish in Four Plans
Finish in Four Plan
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Ballet Technique Course | 2 | Ballet Technique Course | 2 |
| Jazz Dance Technique Course | 2 | Modern Technique Course | 2 |
| PERF 120 | 1 | DANC 110 | 3 |
| PERF 175 | 2 | PERF 220 | 1 |
| ENG 100 | 3 | COMM 145 | 3 |
| MATH 109 | 3 | HIST 101 or HIST 102 | 3 |
| Minor Course | 3 | Minor Course | 3 |
| 16 | 17 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Jazz Technique Course | 2 | Modern Technique Course | 2 |
| Tap Technique Course | 2 | Tap Technique Course | 2 |
| DANC 235 | 2 | DANC 310 | 3 |
| ENG 200 | 3 | DANC 350 | 3 |
| Colonnade: Natural & Physical Sciences | 3 | Colonnade: Social & Behavioral Sciences | 3 |
| Minor Course | 3 | Minor Course | 3 |
| Minor Course | 3 | ||
| 18 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Additional Dance Technique Course Suggested | 2 | Additional Dance Technique Course Suggested | 2 |
| Additional Dance Technique Course Suggested | 2 | Additional Dance Technique Course Suggested | 2 |
| DANC 420 | 3 | DANC 445 | 3 |
| Colonnade: Writing in the Disciplines | 3 | Colonnade: Natural & Physical Sciences w/lab | 3 |
| Minor Course | 3 | Colonnade: Connections (Systems) | 3 |
| Minor Course | 3 | Minor Course | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Additional Dance Technique Course Suggested | 2 | Additional Dance Technique Course Suggested | 2 |
| Additional Dance Technique Course Suggested | 2 | Additional Dance Technique Course Suggested | 2 |
| DANC 301 | 3 | THEA 242, THEA 250, THEA 311, or DANC 400 | 3 |
| Colonnade: Connections (Social & Cultural) | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| Colonnade: Connections (Local to Global) | 3 | Minor Course | 3 |
| Dance Elective | 2 | Dance Elective | 2 |
| Dance Elective | 2 | Dance Elective | 2 |
| 17 | 17 | ||
| Total Hours 133 | |||
- Students will apply for full admission into the BA in Dance in the 3rd semester. Prior to that point they are classified as "seeking admission."
- Students cast in dance concert pieces will take DANC 300 – Dance Company (1 hr.)
- B.A. in Dance students must achieve at least a level 4 in a selected genre and a level 3 in a second genre in order to graduate.
- At least 50% (22.5 credit hours) of the degree must be in upper-division courses, numbered 300 +.
- B.A. in Dance students are expected to participate fully in the Jury/Portfolio Review (JPR) process and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5. Failure to do so may result in the student being placed on departmental probation. See the Dance Program Handbook for details.
