Dance

http://www.stolaf.edu/depts/dance/

Chair, 2000-01: Janice Roberts, modern dance, choreography, Companydance

Faculty, 2000-01: Heather Klopchin, dance history and ballet; Anthony Roberts, modern dance, Companydance; Sheryl Saterstrom, modern dance, somatics, Companydance; Anne von Bibra, dance ethnology, ballroom, Veselica; Ann Wagner, ballroom dance

Dancing is moving, exploring, creating, knowing ourselves as whole people. Since time began, dance has threaded itself through the fabric of personal, social, cultural, and religious traditions. It excites, invigorates, and entices us, echoing our life experiences. Dance reflects our human desire to shape feelings, ideas, and images with an artistic sensibility.

Creating dance opens up new connections within ourselves, with others, and with entire communities. At St. Olaf we lace together a dance experience which emphasizes the American modern dance tradition in its technical training, while encouraging study and performance of styles and dances from world cultures. Performance opportunities range from mainstage productions to informal showings, from chapel services to off campus events.

In combining studio and theory work, the Dance major prepares students for a variety of career possibilities. Recent graduates have performed with professional companies or as free-lance artists. Others have pursued post-graduate study in dance therapy or the somatic disciplines. The emerging field of dance medicine will beckon many in the future, as will careers in arts/dance administration, dance in the church, or teaching in public schools, private studios, or community service agencies.

St. Olaf is a charter member and an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Dance.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR

Dance 101, 124, 231, 232, 245, 246, 232 and 399 are the required core courses. In addition, students select the equivalent of two full courses in technique in consultation with dance faculty. Each student also designs an individualized area of specialty related to a core course and consisting of at least two additional theory courses selected from within and/or outside the department. A senior project completes the area of specialty. Sample specialties include Performance-Choreography, Body-Mind Studies, and History and Ethnology.

Majors are expected to participate in one of the dance companies (Companydance or Veselica). Participation must be planned in consultation with the dance faculty.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A TEACHING MAJOR

Students interested in a teaching major should check with the chairs of the Dance and Education Departments in order to obtain the requirements.

DISTINCTION

To be eligible for Departmental Distinction, a student must have a GPA of 3.5 in the Dance major. ... Those whose projects are considered by the department to represent the highest standards of independent artistic and scholarly achievement, consonant with the student's training, will be considered for distinction. This project needs to be an independent, outside project and cannot be an assignment for another class. Students may not apply for distinction with the same project in two departments. In making their decision, dance faculty also will consider the student's overall achievements in dance.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Interdisciplinary Studies

The Dance Department is committed to a dialogue among the fine arts and participates in the Interdisciplinary Fine Arts major. One of the distinctive features of this major is the integration of the disciplines of art, dance, music and theater. See Interdisciplinary Fine Arts lists for more details.

Licensure

Dance licensure for Minnesota was approved in 1999. By 2001 it is expected that there will be a Dance/Theater Education program in place. Students interested in becoming licensed to teach dance in public schools must plan their schedules in consultation with the Dance and Theater licensure advisor and the Education Department Faculty.

Performance

All full-time students are eligible to audition for membership in the dance companies of the college: Company dance and Veselica International Dance Ensemble.

COURSES

TECHNIQUE COURSES

All technique courses offered at (.25) in the Dance Department are repeatable. Students ready to take an upper level technique course MUST have instructor approval.

101 The Body Movable (0.50)

This introduction to experiential anatomy uses movement to explore structural and functional relationships within the body. Emphasis is on body awareness, effortless action, and physical expression applied to daily moving as well as to more specialized performance activities, e.g. dancing, acting, singing, exercising, etc. GE: PHA (0.25). Offered both semesters.

106 Ballroom I (0.25)

Ballroom classes are taught from a social/aesthetic perspective. In this course, students learn fundamental steps, rhythms, and styling in foxtrot, slow waltz, Viennese waltz, east coast swing, and cha cha or samba. GE: PHA, ALS-A. Offered both semesters.

108 American Dance: Native and Immigrant Traditions (0.25)

This survey presents dances deriving from immigrant and native traditions and includes cajun, clogging, contras, hula, squares, and vintage dance forms such as Charleston, among others. Offered every two to three years. GE: PHA, ALS-A.

109 International Dance I: A Survey (0.25)

International dance classes emphasize dance in its varied cultural contexts. This course surveys dance from around the world with emphasis on European and Near Eastern forms. GE: PHA, ALS-A. Offered once or twice a year.

111 Modern Dance I (0.25)

Modern dance classes approach movement with imagination, experience, and technical training. The classes explore the structural and functional relationships within the body from which we create dance patterns and develop expressive movement and body awareness. This course introduces students to body awareness and modern dance vocabulary and technique. Offered both semesters. Can be repeated with instructor's permission. GE: PHA, ALS-A.

115 Movement for the Performing Artist (0.50)

This studio course introduces students to the movement concepts, vocabulary, and patterns of modern dance, ballet, tap, and jazz, and their application to theater dance performance and character development. Students explore observational, analytical, choreographic and performance skills related to dance and movement necessary for the director and/or actor. A ticket/transportation fee is required for trips to professional theaters in the Twin Cities. GE: PHA, ALS-A. Offered annually.

121 Ballet I (0.25)

Ballet classes are taught from a modern dance perspective. This course provides students with an introduction to ballet vocabulary, technique, and body awareness. Offered both semesters. Can be repeated with instructor's permission. GE: PHA, ALS-A. 122 Diversity Issues in Dance/Theater Education This course explores the thematic content of dance/theater curriculum and theater/dance performance pieces for children in multicultural settings. It introduces elements of dance/theater and how these elements are shaped by teachers and artists in community/arts organizations and public schools and will include seminars by teachers and artists, dance/theater techniques and improvisation. Students spend the second and third weeks in Minnesapolis/St. Paul visiting public schools and community/arts organizations. GE: MCS-D, PHA. Offered during Interim.

206 Ballroom II (0.25)

This course provides instruction in basic steps, rhythms, and styling for tango, west coast swing, and quickstep. Students learn advanced patterns in slow waltz. Emphasis is on styling and quality of movement. Normally, attendance will be required at one special event such as a field trip to a ballroom. An appropriate fee will be charged for such special events. Prerequisite: Dance 106 or permission of instructor. GE: PHA, ALS-A. Offered annually.

209 International Dance II: Selected Dance Cultures (0.25)

Students focus intensively on the dance forms and styles of selected cultures chosen by the instructor in consultation with the students. Prerequisite: Dance 109, 124, or permission of instructor. GE: PHA, ALS-A. Offered 1998-99 and every second or third year thereafter. The following technique courses (210, 220, 310, 320) which are offered at 0.50 credit entail additional outside work and may only be taken once. It is recommended that students take these first. The courses that carry 0.25 credit (211, 221, 311, 321) may be repeated. Placement will only be decided by faculty.

210 (0.50), 211 (0.25) Modern Dance II

Students expand their understanding of modern dance by building on the components of Level I, adding attention to movement qualities, elements of space, dance vocabulary, and technique with an emphasis on phrasing and sequences. Prerequisite: Dance 111 and permission of instructor. Offered both semesters. 211 can be repeated with instructor's permission. GE: PHA, ALS-A.

220 (0.50), 221 (0.25) Ballet II

This course offers an expansion of ballet vocabulary and technique with an emphasis on phrasing. Outside work includes reading, writing, and concert attendance. Prerequisite: Dance 121 and permission of instructor. Offered both semesters. 221 can be repeated with instructor's permission. GE: PHA, ALS-A.

310 (0.50), 311 (0.25) Modern III

This modern section builds on the concepts and components of Modern Dance I and II. This section is open to Companydance members and general students with instructor's permission. Offered both semesters. 311 can be repeated with instructor's permission. Prerequisite: Dance 211. GE: PHA, ALS-A.

320 (0.50), 321 (0.25) Ballet III

This ballet section is open to Companydance members and general students with instructor's permission. Offered both semesters. 321 can be repeated with instructor's permission. Prerequisite: 221. GE: PHA, ALS-A.

THEORY COURSES

120 Creative Dance for Children

Students explore dance as a means for improving communication, body/kinetic awareness, creative expression, and perceptual-motor development for children. Offered in Interim. Will include lectures, dance technique and improvisation, and laboratory/teaching experience. GE: PHA.

124 World Dance Traditions

An introduction to world dance traditions, this course examines dance forms, functions, contexts, and differing aesthetics found in selected cultures of Africa, Asia, Europe, the Near and Middle East, the South Pacific, and Latin America. The course includes lectures, discussions, video-viewing and required field-trips to dance events, in addition to studio experiences where students learn dances from the cultures studied. No previous dance experience required. GE: MCS-G, ALS-A. Offered 1999-2000 and alternate years.

231 Fundamentals of Choreography and Improvisation

A basic course in principles and methods for creating dances, this course focuses on the elements of dance composition and improvisation, the relationship of form and content, and the relationship of the dancer and the dance. It is appropriate for students interested in any or all forms of dance, and for those interested in other forms of composition (music, visual art, etc.). GE: ALS-A. Offered Fall Semester.

232 Movement Analysis

This introduction to Rudolf Laban's system of movement analysis provides a framework for observing, describing, and analyzing human movement patterns and understanding non-verbal behavior and communication. This course is appropriate for all students for whom movement observation is important to their career objectives, e.g. dancers, therapists, counselors, anthropologists, journalists, nurses, and actors. GE: ALS-A. Offered Spring Semester.

245 The Rise of Ballet

Students look at the European ballet tradition as it emerges out of Renaissance court culture, spreads throughout Europe and Russia, and continues into the worldwide touring of the early 20th century. The course emphasizes the cultural context of ballet; principal teachers, choreographers, and dancers; and selected dances and ballets. Videos supplement reading, writing, and discussion. Attendance at appropriate concerts is required. GE: HWC, ALS-A. Offered Spring Semester.

246 Dance in America

Students trace and integrate the African-American and Euro-American dance traditions of the 19th and 20th centuries, paying attention to their similarities and differences. At the same time, the course attends to the economic, religious and social forces which have affected the development of dance in America. Extensive video examples supplement reading, writing, and discussion. Attendance at appropriate concerts is required. GE: MCS-D, ALS-A. Offered Fall Semester.

260 Articulate Body

This course investigates the field of somatics from a first-person, experiential perspective and explores a variety of somatic disciplines (Body-Mind Centering, Feldenkrais, Trager, Alexander, Yoga, Tai Chi, Ideokinesis, Katsugan Undo) experientially and theoretically, for their insights into understanding the whole person as mover, expresser, creator. Somatic insight is valuable for dancers, actors, athletes, musicians, singers, and nurses. Prerequisite: Dance 101 or permission of instructor. Offered 1999-2000 and alternate years.

264 Movement and Dance as Cultural Expression

Students embark on an exploration of pedestrian, religious ritual movement and concert dance, and of their significance in understanding Middle Eastern, Far Eastern, and American cultures. The emphasis is on discovering how movement and dance express and communicate cultural values as well as the development of movement vocabulary and analytic skills. Includes studio, classroom and field experiences. GE: ALS-A. Offered occasionally.

294 Internship

298 Independent Study

374 Advanced Choreography

In this advanced analysis of principles and methods for creating dances, students will survey current trends in dance performance as well as choreograph new works. Prerequisite: Dance 231 or permission of instructor. Offered in 1999-2000 and alternate years.

394 Internship

398 Independent Research

399 Senior Dance Seminar

This is the dance majors' culminating course. Students will prepare, develop and execute their final senior project in their individual areas of specialty. Students also prepare for dance careers, looking at resume formats, grant writing, interviewing, and auditioning skills. Class discussion topics include the role and function of dance in the students' lives and in what ways they will participate. Offered annually.