Course List

Code	Title	Units
Required:
Dance 203	Composition I	3
Dance 212E	Introduction to Theatre Production	3
Plus 2-3 units chosen from the following:
Dance 303	Composition II	3
Dance 3101	Dance Improvisation: Spontaneous Composition & Performance Techniques	2
Dance 305Z	Music Resources for Dance	2
Dance 312	Accompaniment Techniques for Dance	2
Dance 4032	Introduction to Screendance Composition and Performance	3

Embodied Practice: 8 units

Students must complete work in at least two dance genres, and at least 6 units must be at the 300 level or above.

Course List

Code	Title	Units
Ballet
Dance 221	Fundamentals of Classical Ballet	2
Dance 222	Fundamentals of Classical Ballet	2
Dance 321	Classical Ballet: Intermediate I	2
Dance 3221	Classical Ballet: Intermediate II	2
Dance 415	High Intermediate Ballet I	2
Dance 416	High Intermediate Ballet II	2
Dance 4281	Classical Ballet III	2
Dance 4291	Classical Ballet IV	2
Dance 4300	Contemporary Ballet	2
Modern
Dance 201E	Theory and Technique of Modern Dance I	2
Dance 202	Theory and Technique of Modern Dance II	2
Dance 240	Afro-Modern Dance (Dunham Technique)	2
Dance 301	Theory and Technique of Modern Dance III	2
Dance 3021	Theory and Technique of Modern Dance IV	2
Dance 401	Theory and Technique of Modern Dance V	2
Dance 4021	Theory and Technique of Modern Dance VI	2
Jazz
Dance 297	Fundamentals of Jazz Dance	2
Dance 300	Jazz Dance II	2
Dance 403	Jazz III	2
Hip Hop
Dance 2040	Beginning-Intermediate Hip Hop: Culture and Movement	2
Dance 4040	Intermediate/Advanced Hip Hop	2
West African
Dance 343	West African Music and Dance in Context	2
Other
Dance 407	Topics in Dance Techniques	3

History/Theory: 6 units

Students must choose two courses from the following list:

Course List

Code	Title	Units
Dance 316	Histories of Theatrical and Concert Dance	3
Dance 331	Movement and Meaning: Dance in a Global Context	3
Dance 3033	Music, Sound, and the Body	3
Dance 3222	Rethinking Ballet in the 21st Century: Decolonizing Narratives and Embracing Diversity	3
Dance 426	Performing the Political in American Dance	3
Dance 430	Dance Pedagogy	2
Dance 433	Performing Gender and Sexuality in America	3

Movement Science and Somatics: 3 units

Options for this requirement include the following:

Course List

Code	Title	Units
Dance 3270	Experiential Anatomy and Kinesiology	3
Dance 363	The Neuroscience of Movement: You Think, So You Can Dance?	3
Dance 453	Presence in Performance: Alexander Technique and Mindful Movement for Performing Artists	3

Elective Courses

Students must complete 6 units of elective courses. They may choose any L29 dance courses at the 200 level or above in any of the categories (Embodied Practice, Creative Process, Movement Science & Somatics, or History/Theory). Students may also take in-person dance and somatic studies (U31) courses, at the 200-level or above, in the School of Continuing & Professional Studies (per Arts & Sciences policy, online courses may not be applied to an Arts & Sciences degree). Students may also select from specified drama courses.

Course List

Code	Title	Units
Drama 304	Makeup for the Stage	2
Drama 3081	Costume Rendering and Design	3
Drama 309	Stage Technology	3
Drama 310	Stage Lighting	3
Drama 361	Stage Management	3
Drama 396	History of Western Costume	3

Capstone

The 3-unit capstone is an opportunity for students to integrate what they have learned in the dance major throughout their time at Washington University. It is also an opportunity to go further in-depth into a particular aspect of the field of dance, whether that be performance, choreography, movement science/somatics, or history/theory; overall, it is a culminating experience for the major. There are four primary options for the capstone, which must be completed during the student's senior year:

1. Dance 499 Study for Honors: an honors thesis
2. Dance 493 Senior Project
3. Dance 457 Dance Repertory or Dance 458 Dance Repertory: a significant role in a performance in WUDT, WUDC, or the MFA Concert, with a post-production analytical essay evaluated by the Artistic Director. The essay examines how the performance represents a culmination of the student's growth and experience in the dance major. In addition, it incorporates background research on the aesthetic influences of the choreography and offers dramaturgical reflections on the performance: how well it worked in communicating its messages to audiences.
4. An additional course at the 300-level or above, not already taken as a requirement or as an elective, in Creative Process, Movement Science & Somatics, or History/Theory categories that the student designates as a capstone. The intention to use the course to fulfill the capstone requirement will be made prior to the first day of class in consultation with the instructor. For a Creative Process course, the student devises a final creative project above and beyond the requirements for the regular course, culminating in a live performance and a critical response. For either a Movement Science & Somatics or History/Theory course, the student takes on a significant final research project beyond the normal assignments for the course, culminating in a 15+-page research paper and public presentation. 

Additional Information

Study Abroad

Washington University students can pursue dance studies abroad during the academic year at the University of Auckland, New Zealand; the University of Ghana, Legon; and Roehampton University, London. With approval from the dance program, courses at these institutions may fulfill dance major and minor requirements. Courses in other disciplines taught at these institutions may also be accepted by Washington University.

Minimum Required Grade

Students must earn a grade of C- or better in all required and elective dance courses in order for them to apply toward major requirements.