Dance
21 credits
Why dance?
The dance minor complements the current performing arts major and provides opportunities for students in other majors. The dance minor offers courses in dance techniques, dance history, dance composition, nutrition, voice and movement, and anatomy and kinesiology.
Irish Dance Track
Saint Mary's also offers an Irish dance track – the only university-associated program in the country – which prepares students for the certification needed to teach Irish dance.
Most students of Irish dance become less involved with their dance schools as they head off to college. Many would still like to continue with Irish dance but find it difficult since they are away from their dance schools, so often times, Irish dancers decide to teach dance after they stop competing and performing.
The SMU Irish dance program provides the information and experience necessary for students to prepare to take the T.C.R.G. (teacher certification) exam. Even if the student decides not to pursue the T.C.R.G., the program gives students a comprehensive, broad based perspective of Irish dance. All the pieces they have learned in their past dance training will come together with new information to form a comprehensive Irish dance experience.
The Irish dance component may be chosen as the electives in a dance minor or as courses taken separately from the minor.
Goes great with
Music
Music Performance
Pre-Physical Therapy
Theatre Arts
(From the 09-11 Catalog)
A. All of the following courses:
DA280 Anatomy and Kinesiology for the Performing Artist
DA370 Dance Composition
DA380 Dance History
PE165 Nutrition
B. Two credits from:
DA230 Modern II
DA330 Modern III
DA430 Modern IV
C. Two credits from:
DA240 Ballet II
DA340 Ballet III
DA440 Ballet IV
DA450 Ballet V
D. Four credits of tap or jazz dance:
DA110 Tap I
DA120 Jazz I
DA210 Tap II
DA220 Jazz II
DA310 Tap III
DA320 Jazz III
DA410 Tap IV
DA420 Jazz IV
E. Five elective dance credits (see Course Catalog for options)
Note: The minor cannot include more than 4 credits of tap dance and not more than 4 credits of jazz dance.
Click on courses below for descriptions
DA410 Tap IV (2 credits)This course provides an advanced level of rhythm tap with a strong concentration on technique, syncopation and performance styles, including the exploration of improvisation and choreography.
Prerequisites: DA310 and consent of instructor.
PE165 Nutrition (0 credits)Nutrition is important for everyday lifestyles and is designed to provide a broad coverage of nutrition principles to sport and exercise. The main components of this course will provide information on proper diets for active lifestyles, making healthy food choices, and fueling the body for physical activity and exercise performance. Topics to be discussed include: balanced diets, sports nutrition, timing of meals, healthy weight loss/gain, electrolyte balance, ergogenic aids, fad diets, and disordered eating.
DA450 Ballet V (2 credits)An advanced level of classical ballet, providing the continuation of placement and technique while focusing on artistry. This course includes the opportunity to study pointe technique.
Prerequisites: DA440 and consent of instructor.
DA440 Ballet IV (2 credits)A fast intermediate level of classical ballet, providing the continuation of placement and technique.
Prerequisites: DA330 and consent of instructor.
DA430 Modern IV (2 credits)This course provides an advanced level of modern dance technique with a strong concentration on improvisation, choreograph and artistry.
Prerequisite may be waived with consent of the instructor.
DA420 Jazz IV (2 credits)An advanced level of jazz dance providing the continuation of strong techniques as well as developing artistry and performance qualities through the exploration of choreography.
Prerequisites: DA320 and consent of instructor.
DA380 Dance History (3 credits)This course provides an in-depth survey of the history of concert dance forms, including ballet, modern dance, jazz dance and tap dance. Discussion, assignments and text provide background concerning the influences of social and world dance on these ever-changing dance forms. A research paper is a requirement for this course.
DA370 Dance Composition (2 credits)This course explores basic choreographic methods with an emphasis placed on improvisation as a vehicle to creating movement phrases. Students also learn through readings, lectures, class discussions, and in-class projects.
Prerequisites: level II or higher dance technique class and/or consent of instructor.
DA340 Ballet III (2 credits)An intermediate level of classical ballet, concentrating on extended vocabulary and the advancement of technique.
Prerequisites: DA240 and consent of instructor.
DA120A Jazz I (2 credits)This introduction to the stylization of Jazz dance emphasizes the basic technical work of isolations and an overview of the development of jazz dance from its origin.
No dance experience necessary.
DA110A Tap I (2 credits)This course introduces a dance style not only seen but heard as the rhythmic structure unfolds. It is designed to explore the rudiments of tap dance techniques as an entertaining form of dance.
No dance experience is required.
DA330 Modern III (2 credits)This course provides an intermediate level of modern dance technique and vocabulary furthering the exploration of improvisation.
Prerequisites: DA230 and consent of instructor.
DA320 Jazz III (2 credits)This course offers an intermediate level of jazz dance technique. Students are introduced to rhythmical phrasing and continue to build a strong jazz dance vocabulary.
Prerequisites: DA220 and consent of instructor.
DA240A Ballet II (2 credits)The course builds the beginning ballet vocabulary, furthering the acquisition of placement and technique, ballet terminology, and ballet as an art form.
Prerequisites: DA140 and consent of instructor.
DA310 Tap III (2 credits)This course offers an intermediate level of tap dance technique. Students are introduced to syncopation and performance styles, and continue to build a strong tap dance vocabulary.
Prerequisites: DA210 and consent of instructor.
DA280 Anatomy and Kinesiology for the Performing Artist (3 credits)This course explores the human body and how it functions in relation to the performer’s body. Students learn through readings, lectures, class discussions, and in-class projects. There is a special focus on muscular and skeletal systems, prevention and care of injuries, and conditioning.
DA220A Jazz II (2 credits)This course continues to work toward building the vocabulary of jazz technique, isolations, and extended rhythmical phrasing.
Prerequisites: DA120 and consent of instructor.
DA210A Tap II (2 credits)This course continues to build students’s knowledge of tap terminology and offers an intermediate level of tap technique.
Prerequisites: DA110 and consent of instructor.
DA230 Modern II (2 credits)This course continues to build students’ modern dance technique. Students are introduced to the principles of improvisation. Blend of techniques including fall and recovery, and contraction and release.
Prerequisites:
- DA130A Modern I
- DA130B Modern I
Prerequisites: DA130 and consent of instructor.