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Jun 23, 2025
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[PRELIMINARY] Course Catalog 2025-2026
Dance Major
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The major consists of a minimum of 9.5 full courses (or the equivalent) and a production crew requirement.
Note: Students must earn minimum grades of C- or P for all courses that apply toward the major.
 View the catalog page for the dance department.
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Declaring the Major
Students planning to major in dance must secure the approval for a program of study from a member of the dance faculty who thereby agrees to act as the student’s academic advisor. At the time of their major declaration and in consultation with their academic advisors, students will provisionally specify those courses that will meet the focused study requirement. Transfer of Credit Toward the Major
Before credit is awarded for off-campus study, students must obtain tentative prior approval from the department chair and Study Away. After the study is completed, the student must supply evidence of satisfactory participation. A maximum of three courses of off-campus study may be applied to the dance major. Honors in Dance
In the second semester of the junior year qualified students may be admitted to the Honors Program in Dance. The honors project may be either: - a creative project in dance performance or choreography;
- a research in dance history, criticism; or
- a theory resulting in a substantial written thesis.
Please note, a creativity-focused project must also include a significant research and written component. At the completion of the honors project, a panel consisting of the honors candidate’s faculty advisor and at least two other faculty members—including a faculty member from outside the department—will examine the student’s work. Contact the dance department for application and other information concerning honors work. Detailed Major Requirements
Physical Techniques Courses
Return to the top of the list of breadth of study courses. Courses which focus on technical proficiency and experiential insight into various dance forms. Note: The two required physical techniques courses may be two half courses, one half and one full course, or two full courses. Creation and Performance Courses
Return to the top of the list of breadth of study courses. Choreographic and improvisational creative work and performance. - AAST 224 - Beginning Choreography in Cultural Traditions ⇒ cross-listed with DANC 224
- AAST 225 - Social Justice in Dance ⇒ cross-listed with DANC 225
- AAST 292 - Choreographic Practices for Black Dance, Social Dance, Street Dance, TV, and Social Media ⇒ cross-listed with DANC 292
- APST 813 - Soundpainting: Collaborate and Create
- DANC 217 - Improvisation in Dance and Mind
- DANC 222 - Choreography I
- DANC 226 - Queering Choreography
- DANC 239 - Site-Specific Dance
- DANC 242 - Musical Theater Dance
- DANC 292 - Choreographic Practices for Black Dance, Social Dance, Street Dance, TV, and Social Media ⇒ cross-listed with AAST 292
- DANC 303F - Oberlin Dance Company - Full
- DANC 303H - Oberlin Dance Company - Half
- DANC 332 - Varsity Contact
- DANC 394 - Collaborations: Dance, Music, and Media
- DANC 395 - Social Choreography in the Digital
- PRAX 300 - Integrated Arts Workshop
Focused Study Requirement
Return to the summary of requirements. Students consult with their advisors when selecting focused studies courses. The focused study requirement provides concentrated preparation in an area of dance related to the student’s personal and professional goals. The requirement may be met by courses in any of the four areas of study offered by the department: critical inquiry, physical techniques, creation and performance, or somatic studies (generally at the 200-level and above). Up to two courses taken outside the dance department can be used toward this requirement provided those courses relate directly to the chosen area of study and that they will meaningfully inform the student’s senior capstone project. All such considerations and decisions are at the discretion of the program chair. Design and Production Courses
Senior Capstone
All dance majors are required to complete the zero-credit course DANC 500. Capstones may be completed as part of an upper-level course, as an independent project, as an honors project, or as a Winter Term project. Seniors must submit a project proposal form to the full dance faculty for approval by the end of the semester prior to when the senior project will be conducted. |
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