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UWM

Academic Catalog 2018-2019
  • Home»
  • Arts (Peck School of the)»
  • Dance»
  • Dance, BFA

Dance

  • Dance Performance, Minor
  • Dance, BA
  • Dance, BFA
  • Dance, MFA
  • Somatics, Minor
bnr-dance-bfa
Milton & Lillian Peck School of the Arts

Dance, BFA

  • Overview
  • Requirements
  • Plan of Study
  • Advance to Major
  • Honors
  • Advising

The Performance and Choreography/Contemporary Track in the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Dance prepares students to perform and create original dance choreography for theatrical productions. Dance BFA students complete a rigorous technical and creative curriculum designed to develop the student's individual artistic voice. Contemporary Track majors additionally study body/mind sciences, dance pedagogy, historical and cultural contexts for dance, and the interactive collaboration skills necessary to bring dance to the theatre with a high degree of excellence.

Requirements

Course List
Code Title Credits
University Core42
Dance Technique 38
Dance Creative21
Dance Academic14
Dance Electives5
Total Credits120

University Core

The minimum number of credits required to complete the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Fine Arts is 120. Students who need background preparation courses in math, English, foreign language, and chemistry may need additional credits.

Course List
Code Title Credits
General Education Requirements 1
Competencies 1
Oral and Written Communication – Part A and Part B 2
Quantitative Literacy (QL) – Part A and Part B 2
Foreign Language 2
Distribution Requirements 1
Humanities6
Natural Sciences (Must include one lab)6
Social Sciences6
Cultural Diversity 2
Electives
Additional Electives12
Credits in Peck School of the Arts 39
University Credits3
Total Credits42
1

 Learn more about the General Education Requirements.

2

 Credits may be utilized in required curriculum areas.

3

Chosen from three of the following departments in PSOA: Art & Design, Fine Arts, Theatre, or Film, Video, Animation, and New Genres.

Dance Foundations Curriculum

Students in both the BFA and BA dance degree programs must complete the following Dance Foundations curriculum in their freshman year:

Course List
Code Title Credits
DANCE 111Ballet I3
DANCE 113Modern Dance Technique I3
DANCE 233Improvisation for Dancemaking3
Total Credits9

Major Requirements

Course List
Code Title Credits
Dance Technique Courses
Contemporary Dance Practice: Modern Tradition 4
Select a minimum of 5 semesters:15
DANCE 113
Modern Dance Technique I
DANCE 114
Contemporary Dance Practice: Modern Tradition II
DANCE 213
Contemporary Dance Practice: Modern Tradition III
DANCE 214
Contemporary Dance Practice: Modern Tradition IV
DANCE 317
Contemporary Dance Practice: Modern Tradition V
DANCE 318
Contemporary Dance Practice: Modern Tradition VI
Contemporary Dance Practice: Ballet Tradition 4
Select a minimum of 5 semesters:15
DANCE 111
Ballet I
DANCE 112
Contemporary Dance Practice: Ballet Tradition II
DANCE 211
Contemporary Dance Practice: Ballet Tradition III
DANCE 212
Contemporary Dance Practice: Ballet Tradition IV
DANCE 311
Contemporary Dance Practice: Ballet Tradition V
DANCE 312
Contemporary Dance Practice: Ballet Tradition VI
Complementary Dance Technique 5,6
DANCE 115Jazz Dance I2
or DANCE 122 African Dance & Diaspora Technique I
Choose one:2
DANCE 115
Jazz Dance I (if not selected above)
DANCE 116
Jazz Dance II
DANCE 117
Tap I
DANCE 122
African Dance & Diaspora Technique I (if not selected above)
DANCE 123
African Dance & Diaspora Technique II
DANCE 217
Tap II
DANCE 222
African Dance & Diaspora Technique III
DANCE 325
Pointe and Variations
DANCE 327
Dance for the Musical Theatre I
DANCE 370
World Movement Traditions:
DANCE 427
Dance for the Musical Theatre II
DANCE 624
Feldenkrais for Performers
Somatic and Conditioning Practices 7
Choose 4 credits from the following:4
DANCE 103
Introduction to Iyengar Yoga
DANCE 220
Body Sense
DANCE 321
Alexander Technique for the Performer
DANCE 323
Body Conditioning: Pilates Method
DANCE 403
Intermediate Yoga For Dancers
DANCE 421
Alexander Technique Practicum
DANCE 623
Body Conditioning: Pilates Method II
DANCE 624
Feldenkrais for Performers
Dance Creative Courses
DANCE 231Music and Dancers I3
DANCE 233Improvisation for Dancemaking 83
DANCE 352Digital Media Portfolio for Performers3
DANCE 412Dance Composition I 83
DANCE 413Dance Composition II3
DANCE 490Repertoire and Ensemble 9, 103
DANCE 601Senior Project3
Dance Academic Courses
DANCE 209Dance Production 82
DANCE 251Laban Movement Analysis I3
DANCE 314Contemporary Dance History3
DANCE 371Applied Anatomy3
DANCE 460Teaching Dance in Community Settings3
Dance Elective Courses5
Choose from the following:
DANCE 110
Introduction to the Art of Dance
DANCE 115
Jazz Dance I
DANCE 116
Jazz Dance II
DANCE 117
Tap I
DANCE 309
Dance Production Practicum
DANCE 310
Jazz III
DANCE 313
History of Dance in the African Diaspora
DANCE 315
History of the American Musical Theater
DANCE 319
Dance Service-Learning
DANCE 320
Rituals and Culture
DANCE 321
Alexander Technique for the Performer
DANCE 323
Body Conditioning: Pilates Method
DANCE 327
Dance for the Musical Theatre I
DANCE 370
World Movement Traditions:
DANCE 403
Intermediate Yoga For Dancers
DANCE 414
Dance Composition III 11
DANCE 420
Creating Dance in the Community
DANCE 421
Alexander Technique Practicum
DANCE 427
Dance for the Musical Theatre II
DANCE 489
Workshop in Dance:
DANCE 490
Repertoire and Ensemble
DANCE 491
Repertory/Student Choreographer
Total Credits78
4

100- and 200-level technique classes taken for 3 credits; 300-level for 2 credits

5

One Jazz or African technique class is required during sophomore year. If GER-Cultural Diversity credits are desired for DANCE 122, 3-credit section is mandatory.

6

Option: Students wishing to substitute one or two semester(s) of either ballet or modern (minimum 5 semesters of ballet and modern are required) for additional Complementary Dance Technique course(s) in Jazz, Africa and Diaspora Technique, Tap, Music Theatre Styles: choose from DANCE 116, DANCE 117, DANCE 123, DANCE 217, DANCE 222, DANCE 327, DANCE 427. Student must approach his/her Dance Faculty Advisor the semester prior to enrollment for substitution approval.

7

Yoga, Pilates, Body Sense, Alexander Technique

8

Coursework involved in MPPR guidelines.

9

Any dancer cast in faculty or guest artist choreography must be enrolled in at least 3 UWM Department of Dance technique classes per week during the rehearsal semester.

10

 Per departmental policy, any time a student is cast in a faculty or guest artist work and is enrolled for less than 18 credits, he/she must enroll in Dance 490 for 1 credit during the appropriate semester.

11

DANCE 415 may be substituted only with prior dance faculty approval.

Recommended Course of Study

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallCredits
DANCE 111 Ballet I 3
DANCE 113 Modern Dance Technique I 3
DANCE 209 Dance Production 2
University Core 6
 Credits14
Spring
DANCE 112 Contemporary Dance Practice: Ballet Tradition II 3
DANCE 114 Contemporary Dance Practice: Modern Tradition II 3
DANCE 233 Improvisation for Dancemaking 3
University Core 6
 Credits15
Year 2
Fall
Somatic Course #1 (see list on Requirements tab) 2
DANCE 115
or DANCE 122
Jazz Dance I (3 cr. in 122 if GER-CD is desired)
or African Dance & Diaspora Technique I
2
DANCE 213 Contemporary Dance Practice: Modern Tradition III 3
DANCE 412 Dance Composition I 3 3
University Core 6
 Credits16
Spring
DANCE 211 Contemporary Dance Practice: Ballet Tradition III 3
DANCE 231 Music and Dancers I 3 3
DANCE 371 Applied Anatomy 3
DANCE 490 Repertoire and Ensemble 1 1
PSOA Core 6
 Credits16
Year 3
Fall
DANCE 214 Contemporary Dance Practice: Modern Tradition IV 3
DANCE 251 Laban Movement Analysis I (QL-B) 3
DANCE 314 Contemporary Dance History 3
DANCE 413 Dance Composition II 3
DANCE 490 Repertoire and Ensemble 1 1
PSOA Core 3
 Credits16
Spring
DANCE 212 Contemporary Dance Practice: Ballet Tradition IV 3
DANCE 352 Digital Media Portfolio for Performers 3
Dance Elective (see list on Requirements tab) 2
PSOA Core 6
 Credits14
Year 4
Fall
Somatic Course #2 (see list on Requirements tab) 2
DANCE 317 Contemporary Dance Practice: Modern Tradition V 3
DANCE 460 Teaching Dance in Community Settings 3
DANCE 601 Senior Project 3
PSOA Core 6
 Credits17
Spring
Complementary Technique (see list on Requirements tab) 2
Dance Elective (see list on Requirements tab) 3
DANCE 312 Contemporary Dance Practice: Ballet Tradition VI 3
DANCE 490 Repertoire and Ensemble 1 1
PSOA Core 3
 Credits12
 Total Credits120
1

Per departmental policy, any time a student is cast in a faculty or guest artist work and is enrolled for less than 18 credits, he/she must enroll in DANCE 490 for 1 credit during the appropriate semester.

2

Any student cast in a student work must be enrolled in at least 1 UWM Department of Dance technique class that meets at least 2 times per week during the rehearsal semester.

3

Coursework involved in MPPR guidelines.

Admission and Retention Requirements for the Dance BFA and BA

Admission Requirements 

Please see uwm.edu/arts/apply for information on admission starting spring 2017.

Students must meet general university admission requirements to be admitted to any of the undergraduate curricula as a freshman or transfer student. Passing the Dance Entrance Audition (on-campus or video) is required for entrance into the Dance BA or BFA degree programs.

On-campus auditions consist of a variety of technique classes, writing sample, one-minute solo performance (can be self-choreographed), and Q&A session. Video submission (only with prior authorization via email to dance-admission@uwm.edu) consists of writing sample, 5 minutes each of two contrasting dance techniques, and 2-3 minutes of performance video (DVD or URLs in online form). Auditions after the last on-campus audition will be by appointment or via video submission. If unsuccessful, students may re-audition, but are limited to auditioning twice per academic year (via any method).

To RSVP for a specific audition date, or to submit the video audition form (after authorization), prospective students must:

  1. complete the appropriate online form at uwm.edu/arts/apply and
  2. submit separate copies of their high school and/or college transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable for this purpose).

Transcripts and/or video footage should be sent to dance-admission@uwm.edu or UWM Dance Admission, P.O. Box 413, Milwaukee, WI  53201.

UWM priority application deadline is March 1.

Transfer students must complete a minimum of half of the required dance credits while in residence at UWM in order to graduate. The exact total is available upon admission to the program. Transcript evaluation by a dance advisor is required before placement into dance major courses.

Once accepted, students may enter the program during either fall or spring semesters, but are strongly encouraged to enter in the fall term to progress more smoothly through the BA or BFA curricular sequence.

Retention Requirements

Each undergraduate dance major's coursework will be reviewed at the end of his/her sophomore year to determine continuance in the major, as part of the Mid-Program Portfolio Review. Students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in the dance major.

All students are expected to demonstrate a strong commitment to their health and overall conditioning in order to fulfill the department's academic requirements. Each student's ability to undertake the demands of the dance program, including his/her overall physical ability to perform in classes, auditions, rehearsals, and/or performances, will be a factor in the following: grading at the end of each semester; the audition/rehearsal/performance process for departmental productions and outreach events; the Mid-Program Portfolio Review assessment; determining "probation" status; and potentially removing a student from the program.

​Laptops

Dance BA and BFA students are required to have a laptop computer (or comparable tablet meeting minimum specifications) by the beginning of their sophomore year, but are strongly encouraged to have one when they enter the program. The hardware and software must meet or exceed the current departmental requirements, as stated on the website (uwm.edu/arts/apply/laptop/) and in the Dance Undergraduate Student Handbook. Website also includes information on using financial aid to fund this expense.

Honors in the Major

Honors in the Major is granted to students who have earned a GPA of 3.500 or greater in the major and the academic department's recommendation.

High Honors in the Major is granted to students who have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or greater and the academic department's recommendation.

Departmental Honors are granted to students recommended by their academic department for Honors excellence in performance not reflected in the GPA.

Dean's Honors are granted to students with major achievements in one or more of the arts.

Honors in the Peck School of the Arts

Dean's Honor List

GPA of 3.750 or above, earned on a full-time student's GPA on 12 or more graded credits in a given semester.

Honors Degree and Honors Degree with Thesis

Granted to graduating seniors who complete Honors College requirements, as listed in the Honors College section of this site.

Commencement Honors

Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above, based on a minimum of 40 graded UWM credits earned prior to the final semester, will receive all-university commencement honors and be awarded the traditional gold cord at the December or May Honors Convocation. In schools and colleges in which fewer than 15% of the traditional students have a 3.500 GPA, all-university honors will be awarded to approximately the top 15% of graduating students. A criterion GPA (not lower than 3.200) for this 15% will be calculated based on statistics from the previous comparable semester. Please note that for honors calculation, the GPA is not rounded and is truncated at the third decimal (e.g., 3.499).

Final Honors

Earned on a minimum of 60 graded UWM credits: Cum Laude - 3.500 or above; Magna Cum Laude - 3.650 or above; Summa Cum Laude - 3.800 or above.

Location: Theatre 120
Hours: 9AM-4PM Monday through Thursday, 9AM-2PM Fridays
(closed on university holidays)
Contact: (414) 229-4763

Academic advising is an important aspect of long-term academic success. At the Peck School of the Arts, we offer professional academic advising in the following undergraduate disciplines: art, dance, film, music, and theatre.

Advisors provide students with individualized advising to assist them in areas such as: degree requirements, major options, course selection, campus resources, college success strategies, graduation assessment, academic policies and procedures, etc. 

For more information on Peck School of the Arts advising, please visit http://uwm.edu/arts/advising/.

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Dance

  • Dance Performance, Minor
  • Dance, BA
  • Dance, BFA
  • Dance, MFA
  • Somatics, Minor
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