Dance, BA

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The BA program is intended for students who wish to make dance the focus of their undergraduate education but who desire the opportunity to explore other areas of interest (including coursework that will complement and support their commitment to dance) as part of their college learning experience. The Dance major requires substantial proficiency in physical performance with inclusive requirements in advanced levels of contemporary dance and ballet. The program features additional coursework in the breadth of the field, including work in somatic practices, historical and cultural perspectives, rhythm for dancers, dance pedagogy, and a core-course sequence in dance making. In the senior year, BA candidates complete a capstone course wherein they choreograph, produce, and perform a work of their own. The requirements for the BA are intended to allow enough time and credit hours for students to explore other fields through elective courses or minors. The majority of our students pursue the BA degree.

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Standards of Performance

The Dance Department expects exemplary effort and accomplishment from our BA candidates. Failure to meet one or more of the following expectations will result in review of the advisability of a candidate’s continuation within the program. BA candidates in dance must:

Pass all required courses with grades of C or better.
Advance through technical requirements in a timely manner.
Exhibit engagement and presence in their artistic and scholarly practices and conduct themselves in a manner beneficial to their own and others’ education.

Transfer Students Seeking a BA in Dance

Transfer students seeking the BA degree must be in full-time residence a minimum of three semesters (excluding summers) and must complete: a minimum 10 hours of technical requirements including all proficiencies, at least two of three required courses in the dance making sequence, and no fewer than 25 credits total within the department. Any prior dance courses will be evaluated for equivalency with Columbia College’s Dance Department requirements. A limited number of transferred courses may be allowed to stand in place of program requirements.