Course of Study for Dance Minor

As a dance minor, you are not required to be a member of the Wake Forest University Dance Company, nor are you required to have previous dance training. Dance minors at Wake Forest have a wide range of training: Some of our minors come from arts high schools and continue to take advanced technique classes and perform with the Dance Company. Others are enrolled in beginning technique classes. The dance minor is achievable for anyone who is willing to dedicate his/her time to the program and the art of dance.

Dance Minor (DCE)

A dance minor requires 19 hours and must include:
One modern course – DCE 120 (2h), DCE 221 (2h), or DCE 222 (2h);
Dance composition – DCE 223 (3h);
One jazz course – DCE 126 (2h), DCE 226 (2h), or DCE 227 (2h);
One ballet course – DCE 127 (2h), DCE 229 (2h), or DCE 231 (2h), or DCE 233;
Participation – DCE 128 (1h) or DCE 129 (1h); or THE 100 (.5h, taken twice for 1h total)
Senior Dance Project – DCE 200 (2h);
One history of dance – DCE 202 (3h) or DCE 203 (3h);
Improvisation – DCE 205 (2h);
Introduction to Design and Production – DCE 150 (2h) or THE 150 (4h)

Introductory Courses in Dance

The following courses have no prerequisites and may be taken as general electives.  Ballet, Modern and Jazz courses count toward the Dance Minor.
DCE 101         Beginning Tap Dance
DCE 120         Beginning Modern Dance
DCE 124         Social Dance
DCE 126         Beginning Jazz Dance
DCE 127         Beginning Classical Ballet

Dance Course Descriptions

DCE 101. Beginning Tap Dance. (2 h)
Fundamentals of tap dance technique with an emphasis placed on technique, rhythm, vocabulary, and performance qualities. May be taken two times for credit.

DCE 120. Beginning Modern Dance Technique. (2 h)
Fundamentals of modern dance technique, with an emphasis placed on movement concepts, vocabulary, technique, alignment, placement, and flexibility. May be taken two times for credit.

DCE 122. Special Topics in Dance. (1-3 h)
An intensive study of selected topics in dance. May be repeated.

DCE 123. Introduction to Dance Composition. (2 h)
Introduction to the fundamental study of improvisation, composition and choreography. P-DCE 221226, or DCE 227; or POI.

DCE 124. Social Dance. (1.5 h)
Fundamental techniques of social dance, providing basic skills, concepts of movement, style and fundamental step patterns found in social dance rhythms. Students will learn basic smooth dances, rhythm dances, Latin-American dances and Cuban dances.

DCE 125. Folk and Social Dance. (1.5 h)
Fundamentals of folk and social dance, providing the basic skills, concepts of movement, style and fundamental step patterns of folk and social dance. Emphasis is on the development of fundamental dance skills and practice in utilizing dance techniques.

DCE 126. Beginning Jazz Dance. (2 h)
Fundamentals of jazz technique with an emphasis on alignment, isolations, flexibility, basic turns, jumps, and combinations. May be taken two times for credit.

DCE 127. Beginning Classical Ballet Techniques. (2 h)
Fundamentals of classical ballet technique with an emphasis on alignment, placement, flexibility, barre work, adagio and petite allegro. May be taken two times for credit and two times Pass/Fail.

DCE 128. Dance Performance. (1 h)
Practical experience in the areas of rehearsal, production, and performance, as a performer in the Fall or Spring Dance Concert. May be taken up to four times for credit.

DCE 129. Choreography. (1 h)
Practical experience in the areas of rehearsal, choreography production and performance as a choreographer in the Spring Dance Concert. May be taken only once.

DCE 130. Movement for All. (1.5 h)
A beginning level dance class for all students that surveys jazz, modern and/or ballet techniques. Emphasis on flexibility, coordination, and efficiency of movement. Eight week course.

DCE 131. African Dance. (1.5 h)
Designed to develop basic West African dance technique, build students’ musicality and performance skills and create an awareness of African culture. May be taken 2 times for credit.

DCE 133. Hip Hop Dance. (1.5 h)
Fundamentals of Hip Hop dance technique. May be taken 2 times for credit.

DCE 150. Design and Production for Dance. (2 h)
Introduction to the fundamentals of lighting, sound editing, dance floor installation, costumes and stage management for dance performance. Credit not allowed for both DCE 150 and THE 150. P-POI.

DCE 200. Senior Dance Project. (2 h)
An investigation of selected semi-professional problems involving the creative process of choreography, study of notation, research idea, or production.

DCE 201. Intermediate Tap Dance. (2 h)
A progressive development of technique and vocabulary from DCE 101, with an emphasis on exploring rhythm, dynamics and performance qualities. May be taken four times for credit. P-DCE 101 or POI.

DCE 202. History of Dance. (3 h)
A survey of the development of dance as a performing art from the Renaissance to the present with an emphasis on scope, style and function. (D)

DCE 203. 20th-Century Modern Dance History. (3 h)
Exploration of the history of modern dance from Isadora Duncan to contemporary modern dance trends in the U.S. and abroad. (D)

DCE 205. Improvisation. (2 h)
An investigation of the art and technique of improvised dancing. The course borrows from visual art, poetry, literature, theatre, and music as catalysts for original movement generation. P-DCE 120 or 221.

DCE 221. Intermediate Modern Dance Technique. (2 h)
A progressive development of movement concepts and vocabulary from DCE 120, with an emphasis on exploring both the classical and contemporary techniques of modern dance. May be taken four times for credit. P-DCE 120 or POI.

DCE 222. Advanced Modern Dance Technique. (2 h)
A progressive development of the concepts of DCE 221 with an emphasis on qualitative performance, virtuosity and versatility in a variety of technical forms within the modern dance discipline. May be taken four times for credit. P-DCE 221 or POI.

DCE 223. Dance Composition. (3 h)
Fundamental study of improvisation, composition, and choreography. P – DCE 221226229, or POI.

DCE 224. Advanced Social Dance. (1.5 h)
Progressive development of technique in rhythm, dance hold, footwork and patterns of ballroom and Latin dance. Emphasis on performance and competitive dance styles. May be taken two times for credit. P-DCE 124 or POI.

DCE 226. Intermediate Jazz Dance. (2 h)
This course pursues the mastery of basic jazz technique along with more complex center floor combinations. Emphasis is placed on performance qualities and musicality. May be taken four times for credit. P-DCE 126 or POI.

DCE 227. Advanced Jazz Dance. (2 h)
Pursues the mastery of jazz technique along with more complex center floor combinations. Emphasis is placed on performance qualities, musicality, technique, virtuosity, and creativity. May be taken four times for credit. P-DCE 226 or POI.

DCE 229. Intermediate Classical Ballet. (2 h)
Pursues the mastery of basic ballet technique along with more complex barre and center combinations, performance qualities, and musicality. May be taken four times for credit. P-POI.

DCE 231. Advanced Classical Ballet. (3 h)
Continues the mastery of basic ballet technique along with more complex barre and center combinations, performance qualities, musicality and pointe work. May be taken four times for credit. P-POI.

DCE 233. Advanced Studio Classical Ballet. (3 h)
Professional level pace of ballet technique. Complex barre and center combinations as well as more advanced pointe work in class. May be taken 4 times for credit. P-POI.

DCE 235. Ballet Repertory. (2 h)
An intermediate and advanced level technique class focusing on the development and performance of classical and contemporary ballet repertoires. May be repeated 4 times for credit. P-DCE 229 or POI.

DCE 236. Multi-Ethnic Dance. (3 h)
Exploration of the cultural importance of dance in major ethnic groups in American society. Also listed as AES 236. (CD)

DCE 241. Advanced Tap Dance. (2 h)
A progressive development of the concepts of DCE 201 with an emphasis on qualitative performance, virtuosity and versatility in a variety of technical forms within the tap dance discipline. May be taken four times for credit. P-DCE 201 or POI.

DCE 285. Internship in Dance. (1-3 h)
Internship, approved by the department, to be carried out under the supervision of a departmental faculty member, designed to meet the proposing student’s needs and interests related to their study of dance. Requirements may include an evaluative paper and public presentation. Normally one course in an appropriate sub-filed is taken prior to the internship. P-POI.

DCE 294. Individual Study. (1-3 h)
Research and readings in an area of interest to be approved and supervised by a faculty adviser. May be taken for a total of not more than 3 hours.P -POI.


Theatre courses for Dance Minors

THE 100. Participation. (0.5 h)
Attendance/participation in Mainstage and Studio performances and other events as established by the department. Specific attendance/participation requirements will be established at the beginning of each semester. Assignments for technical production are made through consultation with the technical and design faculty. May be repeated for credit. P-POI.

THE 150. Introduction to Design and Production. (4 h)
Introduction to the fundamentals of theatrical design and technology including script analysis, design development, and presentation methods. Through the lab, the student develops basic skills in theater technology. Credit not allowed for both DCE 150 and THE 150. Lab-3 hours. (D)