Catalog - Dance

Associate in Arts and Sciences with a major in Dance (254)

Department Information

Robert T. Oliphant, Chair
Mel Claridge, Shawn Fisher, Charles W. West
Departmental Office (208) 356-2077

The Dance Department offers an Associate in Arts and Sciences degree with a major in Dance. This Degree is designed for transfer to a college or university dance program, as well as preparation to be a dance specialist in a church and community setting.

The Mission of The Department of Dance is:
1. To teach students that they will become better dancers through living the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.
2. To teach students how the principles of dance enhance students in their roles as individuals, Church members, citizens and parents.
3. To help students understand their responsibility as dancers and prepare them to teach the value of dance in lifting God’s children.
4. To teach students how to make moral and value judgments about the quality of movement, music, costume and lighting.
5. To give students a solid technical foundation and provide an opportunity to develop creativity on all levels.
6. To provide performance, production and service opportunities that reflect the mission of the Department of Dance.

Performance Opportunities
Dance performances include an Extravadance concert every fall in which all four of our Dance Companies participate, and then concerts and competitions (Ballroom and Clogging Championships) sponsored by the individual Dance Companies throughout the year. Tryouts for the Dance Companies are held every fall semester and are open to the entire student body.

Participation in dance as an elective is encouraged for all students.

Associate in Arts and Sciences with a major in Dance (254)

Dance Majors may choose to emphasize one of three major areas: modern, ballroom, or folk dance. These areas are enhanced with classes in ballet, jazz, tap, clogging, movement education for elementary school teachers and leadership in dance and music.There are four dance performing companies at Ricks College: International Folk Ensemble, Ballroom Dance Company, Contemporary Dance Theatre (modern) and Style. Style gives the student training in leadership through the teaching and performance of dance.
These four companies produce a combined concert each fall semester: Extravadance. They perform individual concerts in the spring. They tour annually. The Ballroom, Modern, and Folk companies go on a two week tour at the end of each spring semester. The American Folk Ensemble tours world folk festivals for 3-4 weeks each summer. Style goes on weekend tours throughout the academic year to conduct dance workshops and firesides for stakes throughout the Intermountain regions.

Dance Majors must complete the following 17 credits in the dance Core Curriculum with at least a "B" grade point average: Dance 140, 170, 171 or 135, 180, 190, 240A & B, 241A & B, 242 and 256.Dance Majors, see your advisor for entry placement into the dance major.

Dance Electives: In addition to the Core Curriculum, dance majors must take 8 additional credits of dance classes selected from any of the courses offered in the dance curriculum. The Dance Electives (6 credits) added to the Core Curriculum (21 credits) totals 27 dance credits.

Major Electives: Dance Majors are strongly encouraged to complete the following Major Electives: BS 264 Anatomy & Physiology I, BS 265 Anatomy & Physiology II, HS 131 Personal Health and Wellness, and Music 101, Music and the Humanities. BS 264, HS 131 and Music 101 also fulfill General Education requirements.Following is a recommended schedule to use in registering as a Dance Major:

First Semester
Religion 2
General Education 7
Dance 140 Modern Dance Beg 1
Dance 170 Folk Dance Beg 1
Dance 180 Social Dance Beg 1
Dance 240A Dance Tech I-A 2
Major Electives: HS 131 2
Total Credits 16

Second Semester
Religion 2
General Education 5
Dance 171 Clogging 1
Dance 190 Ballet Beg 1
Dance 240B Dance Tech I-B 2
Dance 256 Tech Teach Dance 2
Major Electives: Music 101 3
Total Credits 16

Third Semester
Religion 2
General Education 5
Dance 241A Dance Tech II-A 2
Dance Electives 4
Major Electives: BS 264 3
Total Credits 16

Fourth Semester
Religion 2
General Education 4-5
Dance 241B Dance Tech II-B 1-2
Dance Electives 4
Major Electives: BS 265 4
Total Credits 15-17

Dance majors are strongly encouraged to participate in one of the Dance Performance Companies.

General Education

Course Descriptions

All Ricks College dance courses numbered 100-199 give Physical Education credit at BYU and other four-year colleges and universities.

DA 131 Jazz Dance, Beginning 1
Two hours per week

DA 135 Tap Dance, Beginning 1
Two hours per week

DA 140 Modern Dance, Beginning 1
Two hours per week
Fundamentals of dance technique and better understanding of self through movement. Includes exploration of elements of dance.

DA 170 Folk Dance, Beginning 1
Two hours per week
Dances from around the world.

DA 171 Clog Dance, Beginning 1
Two hours per week
Set routines taught as well as basic skills.

DA 172 Square Dance, Beginning 1
Two hours per week
The fifty basics will be taught.

DA 180 Social Dance, Beginning 1
Two hours per week
For beginners with an emphasis on partner dance that can be done to today’s music.

DA 184 Ballroom Dance, International Style-Standard 1
Prerequisite: DA 180 or consent of instructor
Two hours per week
Beginning (Bronze level) Examiners Fee: $10

DA 185 Ballroom Dance, International Style-Latin 1
Prerequisite: DA 180 or consent of instructor
Two hours per week
Beginning (Bronze level)
Examiners Fee: $10

DA 190 Ballet, Beginning I 1
Two hours per week
Fundamentals of ballet technique.

DA 191 Ballet, Beginning II 1
Two hours per week
Fundamentals of ballet technique.

DA 231 Jazz Dance, Intermediate 2
Four hours per week
Prerequisite: DA 131 and 240

DA 240A and B Dance Technique I 2,2
Seven hours per week
Concurrent enrollment in DA 140 or equivalent
This class is for Dance Majors or consent of instructor
Fundamental dance techniques emphasizing development in body, motion, space, time and energy awareness.

DA 241A, B Dance Technique II 1-2
Seven hours per week
Prerequisite: DA 140, 240A and B, or equivalent
Continuation of DA 240A and B
This class is for Dance Majors or Dance Team members only or consent of instructor
May be repeated for maximum of 8 credits
Fundamental dance techniques emphasizing development in body, motion, space, time and energy awareness.

DA 242 Dance Improvisation and Composition 2
Four hours per week
A practical course providing students with fundamentals of improvisation and choreography.

DA 256 Techniques of Teaching Dance 2
Three hours per week
Prerequisite: DA 170, 172, 180 or consent of instructor
A course designed to train a person to teach all forms of Social Dance: Ballroom, Folk, Square, etc., with an emphasis on Recreational Dancing. (Winter only)

DA 258R Teaching and Performances 3
Six hours per week
Prerequisite: By auditions only
May be repeated for maximum of 6 credits.

DA 259 Leadership in Music and Dance 2
Three hours per week
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor
This course is designed specifically for those involved in the A.S.R.C. Dance program and all others that are in charge of school, church, or club dances. The purpose of the class is to develop the skills necessary to handle all aspects of a dance from decorations to programs.

DA 268R Modern Dance Performing Company: Contemporary Dance Theatre (CDT) 3
Nine hours per week
Prerequisite: By audition only, concurrent with DA 240A and B, 241A and B
Costume Fee: $25
May be repeated for a max of 6 credits

DA 270 Folk Dance, Intermediate 1
Two hours per week
Prerequisite: DA 170 or consent of instructor(DA 270 is taught alternate years)

DA 271 Clog Dance, Intermediate- Advanced 1
Two hours per week
Prerequisite: DA 171 or more than one year clogging experience or consent of instructor

DA 272 Square Dance, Advanced 1
Two hours per week
Prerequisite: DA 172 or equivalent experience
Mainstream square dance basics above the “Basic Plateau.” (Winter only).

DA 278R International Folk Ensemble 3
Six hours per week
Prerequisite: By audition only, concurrent with DA 170 or 171
Costume Fee: $25
May be repeated for maximum of 6 credits

DA 279R American Folk Ensemble 3
Six hours per week
Prerequisite: DA 278R, By audition only, concurrent enrollment with DA 270 or DA 271 recommended
Tour fee required
May be repeated for maximum of 6 credits. (Winter only)

DA 280 Social Dance, Intermediate 1
Two hours per week
Prerequisite: DA 180 or consent of instructor
A course designed to develop skills of Social dancing, with an emphasis on current couple dancing.

DA 284 Ballroom Dance International Style-Standard 1
Two hours per week
Prerequisite: DA 184 or consent of instructor
Intermediate (Silver level) Examiners Fee: $10

DA 285 Ballroom Dance, International Style-Latin 1
Two hours per week
Prerequisite: DA 185 or consent of instructor
Intermediate (Silver level) Examiners Fee: $10

DA 288R Ballroom Dance Performance Company 3
Six hours per week
Prerequisite: By audition only
Concurrent with DA 184 or 185 or an other ballroom course
May be repeated for maximum of 6 credits

DA 291R Ballet, Intermediate I 2
Four hours per week
Prerequisite: DA 190 or consent of instructor
May be repeated for maximum of 4 credits

DA 299R Dance Practicum 1-3(Not for general enrollment.)
Prerequisite: Consent of supervising faculty member
May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits
Practical experience teaching, choreographing and performing in dance.

PerformingArts@ricks.edu