The curriculum in the dance program provides basic preparation for further study in dance at the community or university level. It is the goal of the dance department to help students to develop their dance potential to the highest possible level.

 

Courses

 
DANCE 1003 Units
Dance History and Appreciation

Lecture: 54 contact hours

This course is a comprehensive survey of dance from ancient times to the 21st century. Emphasis is placed on historical perspectives revealing dance as an emerging art form. The course curriculum also surveys the roles of dance in relation to religion, culture, politics, and social attitudes, as well as its relation to other art forms. (Formerly DANCE 200)

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

DANCE 101A2 Units
Beginning Modern Dance

Lab: 108 contact hours

This course focuses on the inner impulse of modern dance and draws upon the movement vocabularies of classical, post-modern, and contemporary styles. A strong emphasis is placed on the acquisition of beginning modern dance movement vocabulary, dynamic alignment, and suppleness, flexibility, rhythmically, musicality, endurance and balance.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

DANCE 101B2 Units
Beginning/Intermediate Modern Dance

Lab: 108 contact hours

Prerequisite: DANCE101A

This beginning/intermediate level of Modern Dance utilizes the basic knowledge of beginning modern dance techniques to increase the movement vocabularies of classical, post-modern, and contemporary styles. Students will utilize a higher level of codified modern dance terminology and combinations, which are essential to move forward in modern dance.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

DANCE 102A2 Units
Intermediate Modern Dance

Lab: 108 contact hours

This course offers an intermediate study of modern dance techniques. It will include movement vocabularies of Graham, Horton, Cunningham, Limon and the post modern and contemporary styles of today. Emphasis is on expanding and deepening the dancer's technical and expressive skills through more complicated techniques, combinations and improvisations. Concert and performance is required.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

DANCE 102B2 Units
Intermediate/Advanced Modern Dance

Lab: 108 contact hours

Prerequisite: DANCE102A

This course explores further the development of modern dance skills, techniques and vocabulary developed in beginning through intermediate modern dance. An in-depth emphasis is placed on increased flexibility and endurance, clarity of technique, rhythm, time, form and energy through choreographic and improvisational exercises and combinations. Concert attendance and performance is required.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

DANCE 103A2 Units
Beginning Ballet

Lab: 108 contact hours

This course is an introduction to basic ballet technique emphasizing ballet etiquette, terminology, placement, and alignment, warm-up and injury prevention; body conditioning principles as they relate to ballet technique, flexibility and strengthening exercises, basic barre, basic center floor, and traveling combination exercises.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

DANCE 103B2 Units
Beginning/Intermediate Ballet

Lab: 108 contact hours

Prerequisite: DANCE103A

This course will utilize the knowledge learned in Beginning Ballet to become more proficient in ballet technique by using higher level codified ballet terminology, utilizing placement, alignment, expanding and more complex warm-up technique, basic barre, basic center technique, increasing flexibility, furthering strengthening exercises and more complex traveling combination exercises as it relates to this level of ballet, while reviewing cumulative ballet technique for higher levels of ballet.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

DANCE 105A2 Units
Beginning Jazz Dance

Lab: 108 contact hours

This course is an introduction to the beginning techniques of Jazz Dance with a focus on movement vocabulary, placement, centering, balance, alignment, strength, flexibility, and across the floor progressions.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

DANCE 105B2 Units
Beginning/Intermediate Jazz Dance

Lab: 108 contact hours

Prerequisite: DANCE105A

This course is a continuation and advancement of beginning level techniques with an additional introduction of intermediate techniques. These techniques collectively enable the student to demonstrate an increased ability to execute proper placement, alignment, balance, strength, flexibility, and across the floor progressions of dance movement.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

DANCE 106A2 Units
Intermediate Jazz Dance

Lab: 108 contact hours

Prerequisite: DANCE105B

This course provides a continuing study of jazz dance techniques at the intermediate level including the styles and techniques of Jack Cole, Jerome Robbins, Frank Hatchett, Bob Fosse, Katherine Dunham, and more. Focus is given to the development of the dancer’s technical and expressive skills, as well as historical and theoretical understandings of jazz technique for film, television, and stage. Public performance is required for this class.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

DANCE 106B2 Units
Intermediate/Advanced Jazz Dance

Lab: 108 contact hours

Prerequisite: DANCE106A

This course provides a continuing study of jazz dance techniques at the intermediate level with an additional introduction of advanced techniques. Study of the styles and techniques of famous artists such as Debbie Allen, Gus Giordano, Michael Bennet, Mia Michaels and more are covered in this class. Contemporary and commercial jazz dance forms are also covered along with historical and theoretical understandings of jazz dance techniques related to the dancer’s expressive skills. Public performance is required for this class.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

DANCE 107X22 Units
Beginning Tap Dance

Lab: 108 contact hours

This is a basic course of instruction in the art of tap dancing. Topics include physical strengthening, rhythmic awareness, execution of basic tap-dancing steps, floor exercises, vocabulary for theatrical presentation of tap choreography, audience awareness and basic acting skills. This course may be taken two times.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

DANCE 114X44 Units
Dance Rehearsal and Performance

Lab: 216 contact hours

Limitation on Enrollment: Enrollment in this class is contingent upon an audition for a current dance production.

This course provides instruction and supervision of rehearsal and performance in various dance productions. This course may be taken four times.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

DANCE 206X44 Units
Dance Production

Lab: 216 contact hours

This course provides instruction and analysis of all aspects of dance production including organizing a dance production; publicity and marketing; budget; theatrical and dance lighting; set design; costumes and makeup; and instruction in elements of physical theater, such as stage terminology, stage directions, and roles of theatre personnel. This course may be taken four times.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU