DANC-DANCE (DANC)
DANC 1110G. Dance Appreciation
3 Credits (3)
This course introduces the student to the diverse elements that make up the world of dance, including a broad historic overview,roles of the dancer, choreographer and audience, and the evolution of the major genres. Students will learn the fundamentals of dance technique, dance history, and a variety of dance aesthetics. Restricted to: Main campus only. May be repeated up to 3 credits.
Learning Outcomes
- Explain a range of ideas about the place of dance in our society.
- Identify and apply critical analysis while looking at significant dance works in a range of styles.
- Identify dance as an aesthetic and social practice and compare/contrast dances across a range of historical periods and locations.
- Recognize dance as an embodied historical and cultural artifact, as well as a mode of nonverbal expression, within the human experience across historical periods and cultures.
- Use dance to consider contemporary issues and modes of thought.
DANC 1130. Ballet I
1 Credit (1)
This course is the beginning level of ballet technique. Students learn the basic fundamentally and performance skills of ballet techniques, which may include flexibility, strength, body alignment, coordination, range of motion, vocabulary, and musicality. May be repeated up to 2 credits.
Learning Outcomes
- Apply fundamental movements of ballet techniques.
- Enhance flexibility, strength, body alignment, coordination, balance, kinesthetic awareness, range of motion, and musicality.
- Employ basic theories of classical ballet placement and proper alignment.
- Develop basic ballet terminology, variations in timing and changes of facing, and barre and center combinations.
DANC 1131. Introduction to Ballroom Dance
1 Credit (1)
An introduction to ballroom dance at the beginning level. Students will learn the fundamentals of technique including carriage, common movement vocabulary, and partnering, and will be introduced to steps and dances from the Bronze Syllabus of American Smooth and International Standard dances. Offered every Fall. May be repeated up to 2 credits.
Learning Outcomes
- Execute the basic figures of various Ballroom dances in American and International styles
- Demonstrate an understanding of the elements of technique of these forms, including posture, use of the hips and legs, and lead and follow
- Develop the skills of style and performance quality within the dance
- Demonstrate improved overall physical capability, musicality, and movement memory
- Appreciate Ballroom dancing as an artform and a discipline
DANC 1135. Introduction to Argentine Tango
1 Credit (1)
An introduction to Argentine Tango at the beginning level. Students will learn the fundamentals of technique including carriage, common movement vocabulary, and partnering, as well as the history and culture of the form. Offered Spring of even years. May be repeated up to 2 credits.
Learning Outcomes
- Execute the basic figures of Tango and Argentine Tango
- Demonstrate an understanding of the elements of technique of these forms, including posture, use of the hips and legs, and lead and follow
- Develop the skills of style and performance quality within the dance
- Articulate the cultural and historical underpinnings of these forms as World dances
- Demonstrate improved overall physical capability, musicality, and movement memory
- Appreciate Tango as an artform and a discipline
DANC 1140. Flamenco I
1 Credit (1)
This course introduces the student to the art of flamenco and its cultural features and significance. Students will learn the fundamentals of this art form and introductory techniques and skills, which may include handwork, footwork, postures, and specific dances. May be repeated up to 2 credits.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate a basic level of competency in the principles of alignment, anatomy, coordination, mobility, stability, and stamina.
- Demonstrate fundamental flamenco techniques relative to spatial awareness, rhythm, phrasing, and sequencing.
- Demonstrate competency with basic flamenco movement vocabulary.
- Perform a variety of flamenco dances, poses, steps, hand movements, and combinations.
DANC 1150. Modern Dance I
1 Credit (1)
Modern Dance techniques and styles. Students are introduced to proper warm-up techniques, body alignment, control and flexibility. Students work with various rhythms and combinations of movements. The course emphasizes dance technique and creative experience. The history, terminology and philosophy of Modern Dance are also discussed. May be repeated up to 2 credits.
Learning Outcomes
- Use a more developed sense of muscle control and strength, stretch and balance, coordination.
- Demonstrate and verbalize an increased awareness of Modern Dance techniques
- Execute dance phrases,combining several movements and in more than one rhythm.
- Demonstrate an increased awareness of musicality while dancing and use Modern Dance Techniques creatively.
DANC 1185. Introduction to Country Western Dance
1 Credit (1)
An introduction to Country Western Dance at the beginning level. Students will learn the fundamentals of technique and several dances, including Country Western Two-Step, Nightclub Two-Step, Polka, and Line Dance. Offered Fall of odd years. May be repeated up to 2 credits.
Learning Outcomes
- Execute the basic figures of various Country Western social dances.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the elements of technique of these forms, including posture, use of the hips and legs, and lead and follow.
- Develop the skills of style and performance quality within the dance.
- Demonstrate improved overall physical capability, musicality, and movement memory.
- Appreciate Country Western dancing as an artform and a discipline.
DANC 1220. Introduction to Latin Social Dance
1 Credit (1)
An introduction to Latin social dance at the beginning level. Students will learn the fundamentals of technique including carriage, common movement vocabulary, and partnering, and will be introduced to steps and dances from the Bronze Syllabus of American Rhythm and International Latin dances. Offered every Spring. May be repeated up to 2 credits.
Learning Outcomes
- Execute the basic figures of various Latin dances in American and International styles.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the elements of technique of these forms, including posture, use of the hips and legs, and lead and follow.
- Develop the skills of style and performance quality within the dance.
- Demonstrate improved overall physical capability, musicality, and movement memory.
- Appreciate Latin dancing as an artform and a discipline.
DANC 1235. Introduction to West Coast Swing Dance
1 Credit (1)
An introduction to West Coast Swing dancing at the beginning level. Students will learn the fundamentals of technique of several Swing forms and the Hustle, including basic steps, partnering, and musical forms. Offered Fall of even years. May be repeated up to 2 credits.
Learning Outcomes
- Execute the basic figures of both West Coast Swing and the Hustle.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the elements of technique of these forms, including posture, use of the hips and legs, and lead and follow.
- Develop the skills of style and performance quality within the dance.
- Demonstrate improved overall physical capability, musicality, and movement memory.
- Appreciate Swing dancing as an artform and a discipline.
DANC 2130. Ballet II
2 Credits (2)
Intermediate level of ballet technique; Introduction of more advanced Ballet vocabulary at barre/center work; increase flexibility, strength, body alignment, and coordination for practice of steps/combinations with variations in timing and changes of facing. Restricted to Las Cruces campus only. May be repeated up to 8 credits.
Learning Outcomes
- A successful student will be able to understand and execute with accuracy all the steps presented on the take home quizzes and are encouraged and expected to attend at least two semesters of each level in order to advance to the next level of ballet technique
DANC 2150. Modern Dance II
2 Credits (2)
Modern II is designed to further the student’s abilities in modern dance technique, to enhance efficient use of weight and momentum, to release held patterns in the body’s mechanics, to enrich spatial awareness, and to begin work on performance techniques. May be repeated up to 8 credits.
Learning Outcomes
- Improve accuracy in alignment and shape
- Improve precision in space, in timing and rhythm, and in focus/intent
- Learn combinations and movement dynamics quickly
- Begin to integrate performance techniques while working in the classroom setting
- Use a concentrated attitude and an open, creative mind to approach the work in an artistic manner unique to your abilities
- Listen, see and apply all the information given within one class period and over the semester
- Self-awareness and mindfulness: how much space do you take in the class and why? How aware are you of those around you, and those you are dancing with?
- Release of weight to create controlled momentum
- Locating center and moving from there
DANC 2157. Hip-Hop Dance
2 Credits (2)
An introduction to hip hop dance and its relationship to other aspects of hip-hop culture, music, and media, with an emphasis on creativity, individuality, and expression. Coursework may include street styles, breaking, and various regional forms. No previous dance experience is expected. May be repeated up to 6 credits.
Learning Outcomes
- Recognize and articulate the fundamentals of various styles of hip hop dance technique and vocabulary.
- Contextualize the history and cultural aspects of hip hop dance.
- Examine the relationship between dance and other aspects of hip hop culture such as music and media representation.
- Demonstrate improvement in overall physical capability, musicality, and movement memory.
- Appreciate hip hop dance as an artform and a discipline.
DANC 2270. Dance Improvisation
2 Credits (2)
An introduction to the practice of dance improvisation focusing on play and discovery as methods for generating movement and exploring the full potential of the communicative, authentic body in motion. Course content includes concepts in Body, Effort, Shape, Space, Kinesthetic Response, Scoring, and Contact. Offered Spring of even years.
Prerequisite: DANC 1150.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the core concepts of exploration and authenticity and the importance of these ideas to a modern dancer and choreographer.
- Demonstrate immediacy of presence, both physically and mentally, in the way that they responding to both choices and instincts in the moment.
- Connect the concepts learned in Modern dance technique to the study of dance improvisation and the concepts of this class to outside work as dancers, students, and citizens.
- Access the constantly expanding movement vocabulary which will inform their work moving forward in dance technique and composition.
- Improvise confidently both individually and as part of a group.
DANC 2310. Bronze American Rhythm
2 Credits (2)
Bronze level American Rhythm patterns, techniques, and partnering with emphasis on elements of dance. May be repeated up to 6 credits.
Learning Outcomes
- Learn to dance the Bronze DIVIDA Manual in American Rhythm
- Develop Bronze level dance technique
- Gain deeper understanding of the Elements of Dance
- Develop rhythmic accuracy in movement, ability to dance on time discover phrasing
- Further develop lead follow skills that will enable you to dance at more advanced levels
DANC 2311. Bronze American Smooth
2 Credits (2)
Bronze level American Smooth patterns, technique, and partnering with an emphasis on the elements of dance. May be repeated up to 4 credits.
Learning Outcomes
- Learn to dance the Bronze DIVIDA Manual in International Latin
- Develop Bronze level dance technique
- Gain deeper understanding of the Elements of Dance
- Develop rhythmic accuracy in movement, ability to dance on time discover phrasing
- Further develop lead follow skills that will enable you to dance at more advanced levels
DANC 2320. Bronze International Latin
2 Credits (2)
This is the style of Latin dance that is danced around the globe and is featured in the World DanceSport Championships. Students will learn the Bronze Level figures and techniques in four (4) International Style dances: Rumba, Cha Cha, Samba & Jive. May be repeated up to 6 credits.
Learning Outcomes
- Learn to dance the Bronze DIVIDA Material for the International Latin Syllabus
- Develop Bronze level dance technique
- Gain deeper understanding of the Elements of Dance
- Develop Smooth accuracy in movement, ability to dance on time discover phrasing
- Further develop lead follow skills that will enable you to dance more advanced levels
DANC 2321. Bronze International Standard
2 Credits (2)
This is the style of Ballroom dance that is performed around the globe and is featured in the World DanceSport Championships. Learn the Bronze Level figures and techniques in five (5) International Style dances: Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot & Quickstep. Students will focus on understanding technical elements of dance, memorizing and performing routines. May be repeated up to 6 credits.
Learning Outcomes
- Learn to dance the Bronze DIVIDA Manual in International Standard
- Develop Bronze level dance technique
- Gain deeper understanding of the Elements of Dance
- Develop Smooth accuracy in movement, ability to dance on time discover phrasing
- Further develop lead follow skills that will enable you to dance at more advanced levels
DANC 2460. Dance for Musical Theatre
2 Credits (2)
This course will supplement the dance technique curriculum specifically in support of the study of Musical Theatre. Students will practice various social, world, and theatrical dance forms, learn selections from iconic choreography, experience mock dance auditions, and explore the skill of dance composition for musical theatre repertory. Offered every Spring. May be repeated up to 4 credits.
Prerequisite: DANC 1130 or DANC 1160.
Learning Outcomes
- Participate successfully in dance techniques and styles outside of the basic tap, jazz, ballet, and modern dance curriculum.
- Recognize and contextualize musical theatre history and repertory through exposure to significant historical choreography and choreographers.
- Understand and excel at the skill of taking part in a musical theatre dance audition.
- Demonstrate improvement in overall physical capability, musicality, and movement memory.
- Appreciate the practice of musical theatre dance as an artform and a discipline.