Dance (DAN)
3 Units (LEC 48-54)
This course explores the universal human activity known as dancing from a cross-cultural perspective, examining the myriad ways in which dance functions in societies. The histories, theories, techniques, and purposes of various theatrical, religious, and social dances from around the world are compared, contrasted, and interrelated. The culture-specific nature of the dancing body and its audiences are analyzed to discover the meanings carried within these dances. *Cross-listed as HIST-151.
Transfers to both UC/CSU
IGETC Area(s): 3A, 3B
CSU Area(s): C1, C2
AA/AS General Education: AA/AS B2, AA/AS C, AA/AS F
3 Units (LEC 48-54)
This course explores unscripted theater using techniques found in dance, action theater, mask work, contact improvisation, viewpoints, and theater games within the historical and cultural context of these methods. Students will develop as whole performers through learning intuitive response techniques in all performance situations. *Cross-listed as THA-108.
Transfers to both UC/CSU
CSU Area(s): E1
AA/AS General Education: AA/AS C, AA/AS E
Course Related Content Group: Voice Movement, Choreography
2 Units (LAB 24-27, LEC 24-27)
This course introduces students to a variety of movement disciplines, theories, and practices related to dance, which may include Pilates, Yoga, Alexander Technique, Bartenieff Fundamentals, and resistance training. Exercises for strength, flexibility, neuromuscular coordination and cardiovascular health are augmented with conditioning for alignment and relaxation. Students learn to assess their own conditioning needs for overall fitness and injury prevention. Appropriate for both dance and general education students, individual plans will be created and implemented.
Transfers to both UC/CSU
CSU Area(s): E1
AA/AS General Education: AA/AS E
Course Related Content Group: Misc, Conditioning
2 Units (LBE 24-27, LEC 24-27)
This course introduces students to beginning ballet technique, movement principles, and vocabulary. Students will gain knowledge of introductory ballet barre and center exercises, as well as increase their understanding of the ballet aesthetic and recognition of that aesthetic historically as part of the western tradition. Through this course students will attain improved alignment, increased strength, flexibility, balance and awareness of the physical body in space.
Transfers to both UC/CSU
CSU Area(s): E1
AA/AS General Education: AA/AS E
Course Related Content Group: Ballet
2 Units (LBE 24-27, LEC 24-27)
This course builds upon beginning ballet technique and further develops student performance of beginning ballet movement principles and vocabulary. It expands student knowledge of beginning ballet barre and center exercises as well as knowledge of the ballet aesthetic. This course will improve alignment and increase strength, flexibility, balance and awareness of the physical body in space and time.
Prerequisite: DAN-121A (with a grade of C or better) or audition.
Transfers to both UC/CSU
CSU Area(s): E1
AA/AS General Education: AA/AS E
Course Related Content Group: Ballet
2 Units (LBE 24-27, LEC 24-27)
This course focuses on the "inner impulse" of modern dance (sometimes referred to as 'contemporary,') and draws upon the movement vocabularies and approaches to movement developed by Graham, Holm, Humphrey-Weidman, Limon, Cunningham, Horton, Hawkins, Taylor, Tharp, Hay and Farber. The development of dynamic alignment, suppleness, flexibility, rhythmicality, musicality, endurance, balance, modern dance movement vocabulary and historicity are emphasized.
Transfers to both UC/CSU
CSU Area(s): C1
AA/AS General Education: AA/AS E
Course Related Content Group: Modern
2 Units (LBE 24-27, LEC 24-27)
This course builds upon beginning modern dance technique and further develops student performance of modern dance movement principles and vocabularies. Approaches to movement studied may include Graham, Holm, Humphrey-Weidman, Limon, Cunningham, Horton, Hawkins, Taylor, Tharp, Hay, Farber and Lewitzky. The continued development of modern dance movement fundamentals will be emphasized as a means by which individual students develop their artistic voices as dancers.
Prerequisite: DAN-122A (with a grade of C or better) or by audition.
Transfers to both UC/CSU
CSU Area(s): E1
AA/AS General Education: AA/AS E
Course Related Content Group: Modern
2 Units (LBE 24-27, LEC 24-27)
This course is an introduction to the highly stylized dance form known as jazz which incorporates African, Latin, Theatrical, and Contemporary movement and music styles. Since jazz dance is an important American vernacular dance genre, the most current trends in television, film, and stage dance may be included. The historical roots and development of jazz as a fusion dance form of North America will be studied. (formerly DAN 123)
Transfers to both UC/CSU
CSU Area(s): E1
AA/AS General Education: AA/AS E
Course Related Content Group: Jazz Dance
2 Units (LBE 24-27, LEC 24-27)
This course further develops student performance of jazz dance vocabularies and fundamentals. Proper alignment, improved flexibility, and increased strength and endurance will be emphasized. The continued development of self-expression will also be stressed as this is a highly stylized dance form.
Prerequisite: DAN-123A (with a grade of C or better) or audition.
Transfers to both UC/CSU
CSU Area(s): E1
AA/AS General Education: AA/AS E
Course Related Content Group: Jazz Dance
2 Units (LBE 24-27, LEC 24-27)
This course introduces students to the uniquely American dance form known as tap dance at a beginning level. Basic steps, rhythms, vocabulary, beginning musicality and movement skills are introduced. This course emphasizes fundamental tap dance skills and introduces students to the historical and cultural context of tap dance.
Other Enrollment Criteria: Students must purchase tap shoes for their own use.
Transfers to both UC/CSU
CSU Area(s): E1
AA/AS General Education: AA/AS E
Course Related Content Group: Tap Dance
3 Units (LEC 48-54)
This course emphasizes analysis of the evocative language of movement as a form of human expression through the art of choreography. Through various means of instruction, students are introduced to choreographic forms, principles, history, and cultural significance and explore the elements of space, time, energy, motion, and stasis through the creation of dance studies in this entry-level course. The development of a movement aesthetic and choreographic voice unique to each student are stressed.
Transfers to both UC/CSU
IGETC Area(s): 3A
CSU Area(s): C1
AA/AS General Education: AA/AS C, AA/AS E
Course Related Content Group: Choreography
2 Units (LBE 48-54, LEC 16-18)
This course facilitates the development of modern dance technique beyond a beginning level. Emphasis is placed upon deepening the dancer's technical and expressive skills through more complex movement combinations and improvisations. Rhythmic, spatial and dynamic movement skills are furthered developed as well as the understanding of the historical and cultural context of the modern dance canon.
Prerequisite: DAN-122A or DAN-122B (with a grade of C or better) or by audition.
Transfers to both UC/CSU
CSU Area(s): E1
AA/AS General Education: AA/AS E
Course Related Content Group: Modern
Times may be taken for credit: 2
2 Units (LBE 48-54, LEC 16-18)
This course continues the development of modern dance technique at an advanced-intermediate level and focuses on the integration of dynamic alignment, technical skill, and artistic expression. Through the continued study of various modern dance movement vocabularies and aesthetics, students deepen their expressive skills and dynamic range as well as their understanding of the genre. Complex movement sequences, multi-layered rhythms, dynamic effort qualities, and musical cues will be synthesized, and simultaneously negotiated, in class movement explorations.
Prerequisite: DAN-122A or DAN-122B or DAN-126A (with a grade of C or better) or audition.
Transfers to both UC/CSU
CSU Area(s): E1
AA/AS General Education: AA/AS E
Course Related Content Group: Modern
Times may be taken for credit: 2
2 Units (ACT 64-72)
This course facilitates the study of jazz dance at an intermediate level, focusing on the student's development of technical skills, movement dynamics, isolations, syncopations, and rhythms specific to the genre. A variety of styles will be explored from funk to musical theater within the historical and cultural context of jazz dance, exploring the fusion of Africanist and Europeanist aesthetics and elements.
Prerequisite: DAN-123A or DAN-123B (with a grade of C or better) or by audition.
Transfers to both UC/CSU
CSU Area(s): C1
AA/AS General Education: AA/AS E
Course Related Content Group: Jazz Dance
2 Units (ACT 64-72)
This course facilitates the continued study of jazz dance at an advanced-intermediate level and focuses on the synthesis of technical skills with artistic expression. Through the study of various expressions of jazz dance with a focus on Africanist aesthetics, influences, and elements, students will deepen their expressive skills and dynamic range as well as their historical understanding of the genre.
Prerequisite: DAN-123A or DAN-123B or DAN-127A (with a grade of C or better) or audition.
Transfers to both UC/CSU
AA/AS General Education: AA/AS E
Course Related Content Group: Jazz Dance
2 Units (ACT 64-72)
This course facilitates the study of ballet technique and aesthetics at the intermediate level. The development of the dancer's technical, artistic, and expressive dance skills is a primary focus within both classical and contemporary ballet styles. The historical and cultural context of ballet, including European, American, and other influences, with a particular focus on race, culture, gender and identities and historical exclusionary practices are also examined.
Prerequisite: DAN-121A or DAN-121B (with a grade of C or better) or by audition.
Other Enrollment Criteria: Students must supply their own ballet slippers for this course.
Transfers to both UC/CSU
CSU Area(s): C1
AA/AS General Education: AA/AS E
Course Related Content Group: Ballet
Times may be taken for credit: 2
2 Units (ACT 64-72)
This course facilitates the study of ballet technique and aesthetics at an advanced-intermediate level. The dancer's technical, artistic and expressive dance skills will mature within both classical and contemporary ballet styles. Class exercises will be contextualized within the historical and cultural context of ballet with a focus on politics and power in particular relation to gender, race, and ethnicity.
Prerequisite: DAN-121A or DAN-121B or DAN-128A (with a grade of C or better) or audition.
Transfers to both UC/CSU
CSU Area(s): E1
AA/AS General Education: AA/AS E
Course Related Content Group: Ballet
Times may be taken for credit: 2
2 Units (LBE 24-27, LEC 24-27)
This course facilitates the development of tap dance technique beyond a beginning level. Increased dance proficiency is gained specific to the analysis and practice of syncopated and swing rhythms within extended combinations and improvisations. Intermediate vocabulary is utilized and the historical and cultural context of tap dance is discussed.
Prerequisite: DAN-124 (with a grade of C or better) or by audition.
Other Enrollment Criteria: The student must provide tap shoes for their own use.
Transfers to both UC/CSU
CSU Area(s): C1
AA/AS General Education: AA/AS E
Course Related Content Group: Tap Dance
2 Units (LBE 24-27, LEC 24-27)
This course introduces students to beginning hip hop technique, vocabulary, and movement principles within its historical context. The course emphasizes the development of coordination, strength, stamina, and rhythm necessary to meet the demands of high intensity performance skills in popular street dancing forms. The most current trends in film, television, street and concert dance may be included. Students will be encouraged to develop an individual and personal style as indigenous to this dance form. (formerly DAN 131)
Transfers to both UC/CSU
CSU Area(s): E1
AA/AS General Education: AA/AS E
Course Related Content Group: Hip Hop
2 Units (LBE 24-27, LEC 24-27)
This advanced beginning course in hip hop expands the movement vocabularies of the form within its historical and multicultural context. The most current trends in film, concert dance, and television may be included. Students will increase their skill and development of coordination, strength, stamina, and rhythm necessary to meet the demands of the high intensity dancing required in popular street forms. Individual interpretation and personal style will be encouraged as is indigenous to this genre.
Prerequisite: DAN-131A (with a grade of C or better) or audition.
Transfers to both UC/CSU
CSU Area(s): E1
AA/AS General Education: AA/AS E
Course Related Content Group: Hip Hop
3 Units (LEC 48-54)
This course investigates the history of vernacular dance in the United States from the late 18th century to the present. Emphasis is placed on analysis of the dances of Colonial America, minstrelsy, vaudeville, Broadway, and Hollywood Musicals. Television, ballet, modern dance, jazz, ballroom, and street styles are investigated for their cultural significance. Distinctions between dance styles imported to the United States and American styles created from a fusion of those imported styles are also examined.
Transfers to both UC/CSU
IGETC Area(s): 3A
CSU Area(s): C1
AA/AS General Education: AA/AS B2, AA/AS C
2 Units (LBE 24-27, LEC 24-27)
This course in hip hop continues with the movement vocabularies of street dancing and its cultural and historical context at the intermediate level. The most current trends in film, concert dance and television may be included. The course emphasizes further development of coordination, strength, stamina and rhythm necessary to meet the demands of high intensity performance skills in popular street forms. Students will develop individual interpretation and personal style within the hip hop genre.
Prerequisite: DAN-131A (with a grade of C or better) or audition.
Transfers to both UC/CSU
CSU Area(s): E1
AA/AS General Education: AA/AS E
Course Related Content Group: Hip Hop
2 Units (LBE 24-27, LEC 24-27)
This course facilitates the continued study of hip hop dance technique at an advanced-intermediate level and focuses on the synthesis of technical skill with artistic expression. Through the study of various trends in film, concert dance, and television, students will deepen their coordination, strength, stamina, rhythm as well as personal style and expression. Cultural and historical associations and influences will also be emphasized.
Prerequisite: DAN-135A (with a grade of C) or audition.
Transfers to both UC/CSU
CSU Area(s): E1
AA/AS General Education: AA/AS E
Course Related Content Group: Hip Hop
1 Unit (LAB 48-54)
This course offers the opportunity for concerted study in up to four specific, world dance traditions. Through weekly classes, lectures, demonstrations, and performances-live and on video, students explore dance forms within a sociocultural context. Dances are analyzed over the diaspora for their historic traditions, sacred/ceremonial import, and/or social impact. Classes will include the movement, vocabulary, rhythms and styles of each form, emphasizing intersections of race, class, gender, sexuality as well as national and minoritized identities.
Transfers to both UC/CSU
CSU Area(s): E1
AA/AS General Education: AA/AS C, AA/AS E, AA/AS F
Course Related Content Group: World Dance
1-3 Unit (LAB 144-162)
This course is designed to produce and present a dance concert. Students are introduced to the major aspects of dance production, with emphasis placed on the choreographic and rehearsal process as it leads to the creation of a dance performance. Students are given opportunities to choreograph, perform and work within technical theater roles. This course culminates in a public performance of a dance concert.
Prerequisite: By audition or interview.
Transfers to both UC/CSU
AA/AS General Education: AA/AS E
Course Related Content Group: Dance Production
1-3 Unit (LAB 144-162)
This course presents students with the opportunity to learn and perform a variety of genres and styles of dance created by faculty and guest artists, thus broadening their experience. Students will be given opportunities to gain skills in many areas of production, with a focus on the rehearsal process and ensemble performance.
Prerequisite: Audition and/or interview.
Transfers to both UC/CSU
AA/AS General Education: AA/AS E
Course Related Content Group: Dance Production
3 Units (LAB 96-108, LEC 16-18)
This course provides experience for the intermediate to advanced dancer to develop, rehearse, and tour choreographic presentations on the art of dance for schools, community centers, and senior citizen residencies throughout the MSJC College District. Students will learn aspects of performance touring and will participate in various roles which may include: creating the lecture-demonstration, creating original choreography, learning existing repertory, assisting in dance reconstructions, designing costumes, and participating in technical support.
Prerequisite: By audition and/or interview.
Recommended Preparation: One year of dance training or performing experience per vitae.
Transfers to both UC/CSU
AA/AS General Education: AA/AS E
Course Related Content Group: Dance Production
1-3 Unit (LAB 144-162)
This course is designed for the presentation of a musical. Students will learn the fundamentals of preparation of a production including: rehearsal technique, dance movement, acting, music, dramatic text, and technical theater.
Prerequisite: By audition and/or interview.
Transfers to both UC/CSU
Course Related Content Group: Musical Theater Production, Dance Production
3 Units (LEC 48-54)
This course offers the continuing study of the art of choreography emphasizing the analysis of the language of movement as a form of human expression. Choreographic forms, principles, history, and the elements of space, time, energy, shape, motion and stasis are investigated on an intermediate level.
Prerequisite: DAN-125 (with a grade of C or better).
Recommended Preparation: Prior dance experience.
Transfers to both UC/CSU
IGETC Area(s): 3A
CSU Area(s): C1
AA/AS General Education: AA/AS C
Course Related Content Group: Choreography
1-3 Unit (IS 16-54)
Students with previous course work in the program may do special projects that involve research and special study. The actual nature of the project must be determined in consultation with the supervising instructor.
Prerequisite: Two Dance classes must be completed prior to enrollment; a contract must be completed with the instructor prior to enrollment.
Transfers to CSU only
CSU Area(s): C1