Courses
Search for courses listed in this bulletin. To find a semester course schedule (including instructors, meeting times and locations), go to mynmu.nmu.edu.
- Offered: Fall
This is an introductory exposure to the art and experience of dance for the general student. This course will examine various aspects of dance culture at the novice level including: viewing and identifying of various genres and stories of dance, dance history, dance aesthetics, dance productions, and using critical thinking skills in viewing dance (i.e. describing, analyzing, interpreting, and evaluating).
- Offered: Fall (Depending on Enrollment)
Beginning ballet technique for the general student. The emphasis is placed on line, control, alignment and musicality. Students will learn elementary combinations utilizing fundamental classical ballet vocabulary.
Notes:May be taken up to two times for credit.
- Offered: Fall
Students learn skills and techniques of contemporary dance. This course, designed for the general student, will explore the basics of contemporary dance including floor, barre, and center work, contemporary ballet technique elements, dynamic enchaînements in center and across the floor, choreography, and musicality.
Notes:May be taken up to two times for credit.
- Offered: Fall
This course will explore the basics of jazz dance technique through a choreographed warm-up, center and across the floor combinations, and choreography. The class will examine the Luigi technique, technical elements, and commercial and musical theatre jazz.
Notes:May be taken up to two times for credit.
- Offered: Fall
This course will explore the basics of tap dance technique through a choreographed warm-up, center and across the floor combinations, and choreography. The class will examine the Al Gilbert curriculum, technical elements, and commercial and musical theatre tap.
Notes:May be taken up to two times for credit.
- Offered: Winter Every Other Year Depending on Enrollment
This course will explore the basics of break dancing including freezes, drops, basic footwork and patterns, as well as commercial hip-hop/street jazz technique and choreography.
- Offered: On demand
This course will explore the basics of cultural and folk dances including belly dance and traditional country dances from Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas.
- Offered: On demand
This course will explore the basics of swing, salsa, Latin, and ballroom dance.
- Offered: Fall Winter
This class is designed for performers looking to achieve a physical dance aesthetic. We will use the Flexistretcher, FLX Ball, and FLX Massage Balls to increase overall strength, flexibility, and performance.
Notes:May be taken up to two times for credit.
- Offered: On demand
A study of areas in introductory dance technique and theory not included in regularly scheduled courses.
- Offered: Winter
- Prerequisites: DAN 201 with a B+ or better, or instructor permission.
A development of ballet technique continued from HP201A. Emphasis is placed on challenging movement sequences used to increase strength, flexibility, musicality, integrated port de bras and vocabulary at the intermediate level.
Notes:May be taken up to two times for credit.
- Offered: Winter Every Other Year Depending on Enrollment
- Prerequisites: DAN 202 with a B+ or better, or instructor permission.
A development of contemporary technique at the intermediate level. Emphasis is on integration of technique in movement, quick study skills and movement which has contrasting dynamic qualities, varying rhythms and spatial diversity.
Notes:May be taken up to two times for credit.
- Offered: Winter
- Prerequisites: DAN 203 with a B+ or better, or instructor permission.
A development of jazz technique at the intermediate level. Emphasis is on lyrical integration of isolated movements, sequential combinations involving multiple turns, and skills in performance and quick study. The jazz curriculum will follow the comprehensive Luigi technique and various styles of choreography.
Notes:May be taken up to two times for credit.
- Offered: Every other fall
- Prerequisites: DAN 201, DAN 202, DAN 203 or equivalent or instructor approval.
Exploration of movement through spontaneous problem-solving. The course is designed to evoke the student’s creative individuality and sense of ensemble. In this course students research and actualize theories of dance and the creative process. The course will combine dance techniques, improvisation techniques, contact work and research. This course is a multi-disciplinary approach to dance.
- Offered: Winter (Depending on Enrollment)
- Prerequisites: EN 211 with a grade of "C" or better and sophomore standing.
This course will examine various aspects of dance including: history of various genres of dance, using critical thinking skills in dance, sorting dance into categories and subcategories, use and examination of different dance forms through various lenses, and writing about dance.
- Offered: Fall Winter
- Prerequisites: Sophomore standing and instructor's permission.
Projects in production under the supervision of a faculty member.
Notes: May be repeated for a maximum of four credits.- Offered: Winter On demand
- Prerequisites: DAN 204 with a B+ or better, or instructor permission.
This course will be a continuation of tap dance technique from Beginning Tap through a choreographed warm-up, center and across the floor combinations, and choreography. The class will examine the Al Gilbert curriculum, technical elements, and commercial and musical theatre tap.
Notes:May be taken up to two times for credit.
- Offered: Fall Every Other Year (Depending on Enrollment)
- Prerequisites: Sophomore standing and DAN 301, DAN 302, OR DAN 303 (may be taken concurrently) or instructor approval.
A practical experience focusing on the choreographer’s creative process for solo dances. Emphasis will be placed on identifying, selecting and utilizing a variety of source material through use of critical evaluation skills for dance, use of choreographic devices, use of improvisation for generating movement, creating meaning through the use of time, space, energy/force, and weight, and creation of a written personal artistic statement.
- Offered: Fall or Winter On Demand
This class is designed to prepare you for dance auditions/dance call. We will do a quick warm-up each class period and then learn a new dance combination. After learning the combination, you will perform in small groups in front of the instructor or panel of instructors.
Notes: May be taken up to two times for credit.- Offered: Winter On demand
This class is designed to prepare students for teaching movement, dance technique, and/or choreography in the private sector or teaching artist capacity. Focus will be placed on composing a personal teaching philosophy, identifying and analyzing practices, styles, and methods of effective dance teachers, critical and self-reflection, as well as developing best practices for your own teaching focus.
Notes: Please note that this course will require out-of-class observation experiences, as well as individual and group work beyond the scope of the classroom.- Offered: Fall On demand
- Prerequisites: DAN 301 with a B+ or better, or instructor permission.
A development of ballet technique continued from DAN 301. Emphasis is placed on challenging movement sequences used to increase strength, flexibility, musicality, integrated port de bras, vocabulary, and repertoire at the advanced level.
Notes:May be taken up to two times for credit.
- Offered: Fall On demand
- Prerequisites: DAN 302 with a B+ or better, or instructor permission.
A development of contemporary technique at the advanced level. Emphasis is on integration of technique in choreography, quick study skills, and movement which has contrasting dynamic qualities, varying rhythms, and spatial diversity.
Notes:May be taken up to two times for credit.
- Offered: Fall On demand
- Prerequisites: DAN 303 with a B+ or better, or instructor permission.
A development of jazz technique at the advanced level. Emphasis is on lyrical integration of isolated movements, sequential combinations involving multiple turns, jumps, and skills in performance and quick study. The jazz curriculum will follow the comprehensive Luigi technique and various styles of choreography.
Notes:May be taken up to two times for credit.
- Offered: Fall Every Other Year (Depending on Enrollment)
- Prerequisites: Sophomore standing.
This course will examine the non-performance side of dance including: dance studios, dance companies, and non-profit organizations. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the requirements and roles of each of these branches of dance business through class readings, discussions and research. Culminating project will include a written proposal and presentation for a fictional version of one of the three venues explored.
- Offered: On demand
- Prerequisites: Instructor approval.
A development of ballet technique continued from DAN 301/401 with the integration of work en pointe. Emphasis is placed on challenging movement sequences used to increase strength, flexibility, technical skill, musicality, and repertoire.
Notes: May be taken up to two times for credit.