2007-09 Meadows School of the Arts Graduate Catalog -

DIVISION OF DANCE

Myra Woodruff, Chair
Professor: Shelley Berg. Associate Professors: Danny Buraczeski, Patricia Delaney, Nathan Montoya, Leslie Peck. Musicians: Dick Abrahamson, Jamal Mohamed, Mina Polevoy, Edward Lee Smith, Daniel Sullivan, Janeen Vestal. Lecturers: Deborah Barr Truitt, Mary Condon, Andrew Parker

The 60-credit program is designed to provide the graduate with a terminal degree in the creative, practical and theoretical aspects of dance. The division has developed a three-streamed approach to the curriculum, emphasizing choreography, Laban Studies and dance history and performance theory.

Coursework highlights the creation of original choreography, the analysis of repertory masterworks in a variety of dance idioms and styles and the practice of teaching and coaching skills in the classroom and studio. To add depth and critical perspective to the creative work in the studio, students are exposed to a constellation of critical and theoretical courses, including dance history and criticism, teaching and research methodologies, Laban Movement analysis and kinesiology and Pilates. Finally, students will present a final concert project, which includes original choreography, a reconstruction from a Labanotation score and an adaptation from a significant work outside the dance idiom.

Instructional Facilities

The Division of Dance has four dance studios, three of which are located in the Owen Arts Center. Each studio is equipped with a sprung floor, vinyl covering, sound system, grand piano, ballet barres and mirrors. The Charles S. Sharp Performing Arts Studio doubles as a performing space and is equipped with an adjustable black traveler, a control booth, state-of-the-art sound equipment and a theatrical lighting system. Adjacent to the Sharp Studio (B100) is Studio B120. The third facility in the Owen Arts Center is Studio 1430, adjacent to the Margo Jones Theatre and the stage of the Bob Hope Theatre. A fourth studio is located in McFarlin Auditorium. Live accompaniment is provided for all studio classes.

The Owen Arts Center’s performing facilities include the Bob Hope Theatre (a 400-seat proscenium theatre), the Greer Garson Theatre (a 350-seat classical thrust stage theatre), Caruth Auditorium, the Robert J. O’Donnell Lecture-Recital Hall and the Jake and Nancy Hamon Arts Library.

Admission and Financial Aid

The Division of Dance admits a small class of graduate students every other year. Admission to the graduate dance program is competitive and highly selective. Students are expected to have had professional or professional-level experience in dance performance and/or choreography, to have successfully completed a B.F.A. or B.A. degree in dance or to hold a professional degree from an accredited college, university or conservatory program. Students who have been admitted without adequate undergraduate preparation may be asked to take requisite undergraduate hours as determined by the admissions committee.

Up to nine hours of advanced placement credit may be awarded for previous professional performing experience and/or choreography. No more than six hours of transfer credit from another university may be applied to the M.F.A. degree. Both advanced placement credit and the acceptance of transfer credit are subject to the approval of the director of graduate studies and the chair of the division.

Financial aid is offered in the form of scholarships and selected appointments to teach non-dance majors in the undergraduate college. To be competitive for scholarship opportunities, application materials should be returned to the Graduate Admissions and Records Office as early as possible.

Interview/Audition

A personal interview is required and a teaching audition may be requested by the graduate faculty. Appointments for an interview/audition should be made after all applications materials have been received by the graduate admissions office. The candidate who cannot come to Dallas should make arrangements to meet with the director of graduate studies at a mutually agreed time and location.

In addition to a personal interview, prospective students are asked to submit all transcripts of undergraduate and graduate study, three current letters of recommendation and a personal statement (250 words). The candidate must submit documentation of professional or professional-level experience in dance performance and/or choreography to apply for advanced placement credit. Candidates will be asked to complete a brief essay (750-1000 words) on some aspect of dance; the specific topic will be mutually agreed upon by the candidate and the director of graduate studies.

Degree Requirements

Residency

The Dance Division requires students to be in residence for four terms during the regular academic year. Students are expected to participate in an intensive summer workshop between the first and second year of study.

Coursework

A minimum of 60 term-credit hours of coursework—including the final concert project, thesis and research—is required to complete the M.F.A. in Choreographic Theory and Practice. In order to count toward the degree, all courses must be numbered 5000 or above. Any undergraduate deficiencies will be determined on admission, and the student must satisfactorily complete equivalent undergraduate coursework before enrolling in the appropriate graduate courses.

Evaluation

At the end of each academic term, each student meets with graduate dance faculty for an evaluation. All aspects of the student’s work are discussed and examined. The student and the faculty will assess both progress and potential and determine whether or not the candidate should continue in the program.

Examinations

Candidates must pass a written qualifying exam to be taken in the second year of residency. The exam will consist of three questions submitted by the student’s thesis project committee and will last approximately three hours. If the student fails any portion of the exam, arrangements for retesting must be made.

Graduate Committee

After the first year of study, each student selects a thesis committee of three faculty members. The committee supervises all work on the final thesis project, including the research and written documentation. The thesis project consists of three works: an adaptation from a significant work outside the dance idiom, a reconstruction from a Labanotation score and a work of original choreography. The scope and character of the final project are jointly determined by the student and the graduate committee. Candidates must complete all degree requirements within seven years of the date of initial matriculation.

Degree Program

Courses	Credit Hours
DANC 6011, 6012, 6111, or 6112: Ballet Technique	0-1
DANC 6021, 6022, 6121, or 6122: Modern Technique	0-1
DANC 6031, 6032, 6131, or 6132: Jazz Technique	0-1
DANC 6341, 6342, 6343: Advanced Composition	9
DANC 6361: Elementary Labanotation	3
DANC 6362: Intermediate Labanotation	3
DANC 6363: Kinesiology	3
DANC 6365: Teaching Methodology	3
DANC 6366: Research Methodology	3
DANC 6371: Dance Criticism and Aesthetics	3
DANC 6373 and 6374: Dance History Seminars I and II	6
DANC 6377: Graduate Study: Topics	3
DANC 6381: Choreographic Seminars: Dance Directing and Repertory Project	6
DANC 6383: Graduate Concert	3
DANC 6378: Thesis and Research	3

Nine hours to be taken from the following:
DANC 6190, 6290, 6390: Directed Study	1-3
DANC 6360: Pilates	3
Interdisciplinary Arts	3-6
Dance Electives	3-9

The Courses (DANC)

6011, 6012, 6111, 6112. Ballet Technique. The study of ballet technique with emphasis on refining performance.

6021, 6022, 6121, 6122. Modern Dance. An exploration of contemporary dance with emphasis on refining performance and individual style.

6031, 6032, 6131, 6132. Jazz Dance. Exploration of advanced jazz techniques and styles with emphasis on performance projection and individual style.

6341, 6342, 6343. Advanced Dance Composition. An in-depth examination of choreographic theory and analysis, with emphasis on the development of individual skills and styles. Students are required to accept internships in performance or teaching, subject to availability and/or scheduling conflicts with other SMU courses.

6360. Pilates. A nonimpact body conditioning method based on principles of abdominal (core) and scapular stabilization. Introduction to the essential mat work, which consists of nonweight bearing exercises. Designed to give the student an understanding of the principles behind the Pilates method. Proper alignment, full range of motion and patterned breathing will be emphasized.

6361. Elementary Labanotation. Fundamental Labanotation theory. Motif Writing will be used as an introduction to this theory, and reading skills in notation will be emphasized. Students will be exposed to innovative methods for incorporating notation concepts into classroom teaching.

6362. Intermediate Labanotation. The development of intermediate Labanotation skills with an emphasis on reading tap, jazz and modern dance.

6363. Kinesiology. Exploration of basic anatomy and the human body in motion. Normal and deviated structures of the skeletal and muscular systems are examined as well as the cause, treatment and prevention of dance injuries.

6365. Teaching Methodology. An examination of a variety of methods of teaching, including discussion of theories of pedagogy, the structure of lesson plans and curriculum development and implementation.

6366. Research Methodology. An examination of the problems and possibilities of performing arts research and the development of an approach to academic writing. Includes discussion of a historiography of performance, the evaluation of primary and secondary sources and methods of documentation.

6371. Dance Criticism and Aesthetics. An introduction to writing about dance performance. Emphasis on developing critical methodologies of movement analysis in examining a variety of dance texts as well as writing skills.

6373. Dance History Seminar I. An in-depth investigation of Western theater dance from the Renaissance to 1900, including critical analysis of primary source material.

6374. Dance History Seminar II. An investigation of the sources and elements of 20th-century dance, including a discussion of dance modernism, the development of the avant-garde and performance art.

6377. Graduate Study: Topics. Various subjects approved by the faculty. May be offered any term.

6378. Thesis and Research. Research, documentation and analysis of materials for the graduate concert.

6381. Choreographic Seminars: Dance Directing and Repertory Project. Analysis of the components of selected dance masterworks to develop interpretation and directing strategies.

6383. Graduate Concert: Repertory, Choreography Performance. Three works to be presented for performance representing one of each of the following: a reconstruction of a repertory piece, a work of original choreography and an adaptation of an established classic of the choreographic canon.