The Oberlin Dance Program functions within the liberal arts tradition. Though many of the students go on to be successful dancers and choreographers, the emphasis in the department is on encouraging students to create, perform, and think about movement in a manner that is consonant with their experience in the other fine and liberal arts.
Dance at Oberlin is also characterized by its commitment to experimentation and to the creation of original work. Each year at Oberlin, there are many dance performances involving students, faculty, and visiting artists. Both student and faculty choreography is shown throughout the year in formal concerts, and in a regular series of studio events. Students who wish to involve themselves in collaborations with dancers (as composers, sculptors, etc.) may enroll in a dance production project or participate in studio concerts. (In this regard, the Art Department and the Conservatory of Music as well as the Theater and Dance Program serve as valuable resources for dancers.) The program encourages an intelligent and sensitive approach to dance, in both participants and viewers.
Dance Major
Students planning to major in dance must secure the approval for a program of study from a member of the faculty in the dance division. The faculty member thereby agrees to act as the student’s academic advisor. The major in dance requires 29-33 credit hours in courses within the Theater and Dance Program. It is recommended that students complete the core requirements and select their areas of concentration, in coordination with their advisors, early in the major.
All Dance majors and minors are required to register for their required courses during the first registration period of a given semester. Only courses requiring a placement class or audition are exempt from this rule.
Courses in which a student has earned a letter grade lower than a C-/CR or P cannot be used to fulfill the requirements of the major.
Core Requirements
The requirements for the dance major follow. The 29-33 total credit hours for the dance major reflect 18-20 hours in core courses, and 11-13 hours in a chosen area of concentration.
Dance Major (29-33 hours):
Core Courses (18-20 hours): - One semester of Modern Dance technique, any level - 2 hours - One semester of West African Dance forms, any level - 2-3 hours - Two semesters of Dance History - 6 hours - Choreography I - 4 hours - Improvisation I or Contact Improvisation - 2-3 hours - One course in the area of design and production - 2-3 hours - One Production Lab (THEA 199) - 0 hour
Courses in areas of concentration (11-13 hours): - In consultation with their major advisor, students should define a focused area of study in performance, choreography, theory, interdisciplinary, or collaborative work.
Dance Minor
A student planning to minor in dance must secure the approval of a program of study from a member of the faculty in the dance division. The minor in dance requires 15-16 credit hours in dance courses within the Theater and Dance Program.
Core Requirements
The courses required for the dance minor are:
Dance Minor (15-16 hours):
Core Courses (9-10 hours): - One semester of Modern Dance technique, any level - One semester of Dance History - Improvisation I or Contact Improvisation - West African Dance Forms, any level
Elective Courses (6 hours): - The remaining six credits must be selected from dance courses within the Theater and Dance curriculum. One course must be at a non-introductory level.
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