Curriculum MFA Choreography

Year One

Summer Term 1 (Residency)

• DANC 500, Graduate Seminar (2 credits)
  This course will be repeated in the second Summer Intensive for additional two (2) credits. The course provides an opportunity to realize the intersection of courses in relation to choreographic practice. The intersection of courses creates various stimuli to which the candidate responds through studio-based inquiry, and a range of reflective and critical skills including writing and documentation strategies. Specifically, through guest lectures, in class discussions, workshop experiences and assignments the student will build a practice of writing, to establish knowledge(s) and relevancy of various modalities for creating dance. Emphasis will be placed on advancing each student’s individual perspective on what is surfacing in their choreographic practice.

• DANC 514, Examining Practice I (4 credits)
  Examining Practice I engages the candidate in heuristic learning though a series of experiences that help build knowledge of choreography in relation to personal research from investigative and reflective practical inquires. Candidates are introduced to different approaches to writing for the creative process alongside establishing knowledge necessary to engage with a process of practice in the studio lab.

• DANC 520, Contemporary Body Practices (3 credits)
  This course will be repeated once for credit. This core course combines somatic theory with practical application to dance choreography and training. In this applied (studio) course, candidates will attend seminars during the Summer Intensive for discussion and experiential work in somatic practices. Students will focus on ways somatic practices can influence movement aesthetics and develop a heighten sense of proprioception. Simultaneously, it is a movement education and re-education; thus allowing the candidate to fully realize the phenomenal and performative approach to movement.

• DANC 530, Intermedia I (3 credits)
  This course offers explorations of choreography and media where the media takes action directly with the body. It is a multimedia class that combines training and experimentation in various types of technology to devise choreography that pushes the limits of disciplines with bodies in mediated spaces.

Fall Term 1 (Online)

• DANC 516, Examining Practice II (4 credits)
  Prerequisite DANC 510. Extended exploration of DANC 510. Examining Practice II offers a platform for the candidate to evolve their practice in relation to professional research to facilitate critical engagement between the candidate’s evolving choreographic interests and the methods of other artists. Candidates realize conceptual frameworks for practice, as well as, multiple perspectives relevant to the research interest through a multimodal approach. Candidates develop research inquires and enter into processual in studio exploration, and take action through material thinking that places the process of creation as the core of the re-search. 

Spring Term 1 (Online)

• DANC 519, Examining Practice III (4)
  Prerequisite DANC 511. Extended exploration of DANC 511. Examining Practice III offers a platform for the candidate to further evolve their practice in relation to professional research to facilitate critical engagement between the candidate’s material thinking and established knowledge. Concurrent dialogues are intersected with a focus on alternative approaches to forming writing in relation to the creative process. Candidates set in motion an expanded consideration of their practice as research inquiries are delimited.

• DANC 524, Body Politics (3)
  This course examines the performing body in society as cultural phenomena that are tied to a wealth of complex social interactions making dance a vital discipline in the 21st-century. Delivery of the course may include readings, performance viewings and discussion sections.

• DANC 518, Dance History, Theory and Criticism II (2)
  Continuation of DANC 517. The purpose of this course is to gain knowledge of the history and theory of theatrical dance from multiple lenses and global perspectives. This course is designed to encourage critical analysis and thereby increase understanding of dance as an art form resulting from social, cultural, and philosophical influences. Readings, performance viewings and discussion sections create context for consideration of the theoretical.

Year Two

Summer Term 2 (Residency)

• DANC 500, Graduate Seminar (2)
  This course will be repeated in the second Summer Intensive for additional two (2) credits. The course provides an opportunity to realize the intersection of courses in relation to choreographic practice. The intersection of courses creates various stimuli to which the candidate responds through studio-based inquiry, and a range of reflective and critical skills including writing and documentation strategies. Specifically, through guest lectures, in class discussions, workshop experiences and assignments the student will build a practice of writing, to establish knowledge(s) and relevancy of various modalities for creating dance. Emphasis will be placed on advancing each student’s individual perspective on what is surfacing in their choreographic practice.

• DANC 549, Examining Practice IV (4)
  Prerequisite DANC 512. Extended exploration of DANC 512. Examining Practice offers a platform for the candidate to enter into arts praxis in relation to academic research. While attending to the symbiotic relationship between the exegesis, practice and archival materials the artist will identify ‘unknowns’ of their praxis in connection to their research project proposal. Concurrently, candidates work with information from guest artists and course professors to continue to build relationalities for their proposed research project where candidates analyze and engage with ideas allowing their practice to evolve to a more informed understanding.

• DANC 520, Contemporary Body Practices (3)
  This course will be repeated once for credit. This core course combines somatic theory with practical application to dance choreography and training. In this applied (studio) course, candidates will attend seminars during the Summer Intensive for discussion and experiential work in somatic practices. Students will focus on ways somatic practices can influence movement aesthetics and develop a heighten sense of proprioception. Simultaneously, it is a movement education and re-education; thus allowing the candidate to fully realize the phenomenal and performative approach to movement.

• DANC 531, Intermedia II (3)
  This course offers advanced study and implementation of various types of technology for explorations of choreography and media where media directly takes action with the body. It is an advance multimedia course that offers graduate students an opportunity to realize processual inquiry into a topic relevant to their thesis proposal.

Fall Term 2 (Online)

• DANC 550, Research-Based Project/Thesis (4)
  The project is the culmination of the courses and comprises a significant choreographic work or works which will be presented in a public place. After agreement regarding candidate's final proposal, candidate will work independently with the support of a tutor and with technical assistance as negotiated. The project will be a substantial researched work reflecting the depth of study and demonstrating a distinctive choreographic voice. This course is Pass/Fail.

• DANC 523, Creative Synergies (2)
  This course emphasizes the essentially collaborative nature of performance practice. It offers the opportunity to experiment with new kinds of collaborative relationships and to observe, create, and discuss the choreographer's role in the transformation of ideas into performance works. Through collaborative projects, students engage with other artists and artistic practices and/or with various practitioners from other disciplines, such as: designers, scientists, actors, musicians, writers, mathematicians, etc. as a means of realizing their artistic vision.

• DANC 535, Pedagogy I (3)
  This seminar will focus on contemporary and historical approaches to dance pedagogy as directly related to ballet and contemporary/modern techniques and its application.

Spring Term 2 (Online)

• DANC 551, Advanced Practicum (4)
  This course is Pass/Fail. Continued development and implementation of Research Project and Thesis.

• DANC 580, Portfolio (2)
  In this course, students receive instruction and feedback on the presentation of their work thru the curriculum vitae and media outlets. Supplemental materials to the curriculum vitae and media reels, relevant to the field, will aid in developing a full portfolio package. The student will gain understanding of how to further document their work and present that documentation in the most cohesive way that will assist them in employment opportunities, career advancement, and artistic growth.

• DANC 536. Pedagogy II (3)
  This course is an extended study of DANC 535. Advanced study of contemporary and historical approaches to dance pedagogy. Pedagogical scope may include teaching and instruction to areas of interest.