Dance, A.A.
The Associate of Arts (AA) degree in Dance (non-transfer) is available by completing the 21-23 required units in the major and all MSJC Local General Education requirements. This two-year concentration prepares the student for the rigors of teaching within the local studio system, recreational centers, after-school programs, or in opening their own studios. Students are immersed in a comprehensive program of dance study with a focus on choreography, improvisation, performance, history, and core techniques in commercial and contemporary styles. The Certificate of Achievement in Dance is completed on the path to this degree. If interested in transfer, students should instead pursue the transfer AA in Dance (Transfer).
AA.DAN
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Begin by exploring MSJC program maps to find career or transfer opportunities. Program maps show the recommended course sequence that leads to graduation or transfer. The maps were developed by program experts to give you the skills and knowledge you need to succeed.
- Starting in Spring? Choose Fall Semester 1 courses.
- Are you a part-time student? Start Fall Semester 1 courses and follow the course sequence.
MSJC Local General Education
| Fall Semester 1 | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL-C1000 | Academic Reading and Writing | 3 |
| MATH-115 | Ideas of Mathematics | 3 |
| DAN-100 | History and Appreciation of Dance | 3 |
| DAN-120 | Conditioning and Alignment | 1.5 |
| BEG LEVEL A: Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap (Choose two) 1 | 4 | |
| Units | 14.5 | |
| Spring Semester 1 | ||
| ANTH-101 & ANTH-111 | Biological Anthropology and Biological Anthropology Lab | 4 |
| DAN-212 or DAN-213 | Dance Production or Dance Performance | 1 |
| HIST-111 | U.S. History to 1877 or U.S. History Since 1865 or American Government and Politics | 3 |
| DAN-125 | Choreography I | 3 |
| DAN-115 | Pilates Mat Work 1 | 1 |
| BEG LEVEL B: Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap (Choose two) 2 | 4 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Fall Semester 2 | ||
| DAN-133 | History of Popular Dance in the United States | 3 |
| DAN-108 | Improvisation for Dance and Theater or Dance Touring Ensemble or Choreography II | 3 |
| ETHS/PS-103 or ETHS-112 or ETHS/SJS-113 or ETHS/HIST-160 or ETHS/LIT-240 or ETHS/LIT-275 or ETHS/LIT-280 or ANTH/HIST-121 | Ethnic Politics in America or Introduction to Chicana/o/x Studies or Introduction to Black Studies or Black History in the American Context or American Indian Literature or Latinx/Chicanx Literature or Multiethnic Literature (formerly ENGL-280) or Indigenous Peoples of California | 3 |
| DAN-212 or DAN-213 | Dance Production or Dance Performance | 2 |
| INT LEVEL A: Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Hip Hop (Choose two) 3 | 4 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Spring Semester 2 | ||
| DAN-108 | Improvisation for Dance and Theater or Dance Touring Ensemble or Choreography II | 3 |
| PE-120 or PE-112 | Beginning Yoga or Body Conditioning | 1 |
| ENGL-C1001 | Critical Thinking and Writing | 3 |
| DAN-201 | Dances of the World | 1 |
| COMM-C1000 | Introduction to Public Speaking 4 | 3 |
| INT LEVEL A or B: Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Hip Hop (Choose two) 4 | 4 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Total Units | 60.5 | |
NOTE: Higher-level dance courses can be taken by audition. Other levels of technique courses can be substituted as needed.
- 1
DAN 121A,122A, 123A, 131A, 124 (select two)
- 2
DAN 121B,122B, 123B, 131B, 129 (select two)
- 3
DAN 126A,127A, 128A, 135A (select two)
- 4
DAN 126A,127A, 128A, 135A ,126B, 127B, 128B, 135B (select two)
An Associate Degree in this program requires students to complete MSJC's Local General Education by fulfilling all general education areas. In addition, students must complete all major requirements and complete an overall total of 60 degree applicable units with a minimum 2.0 GPA.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MSJC Local General Education | 27 | |
| Required Dance Courses | 9 | |
| Required Dance Production/Performance Courses | 3 | |
| Dance Electives | 9-11 | |
| Electives (as needed to reach 60 units) | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| DAN-100/HIST-151 | History and Appreciation of Dance | 3 |
| DAN-125 | Choreography I | 3 |
| DAN-133 | History of Popular Dance in the United States | 3 |
| Required Production/Performance Courses 1 | ||
| DAN-212 | Dance Production | 3 |
| or DAN-213 | Dance Performance | |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Area A - Required Courses | ||
| Select 6-8 units from at least two different subjects/genres of dance below: | 6-8 | |
| Conditioning and Alignment | ||
| Beginning Ballet | ||
| Advanced Beginning Ballet | ||
| Beginning Modern Dance Technique | ||
| Advanced Beginning Modern Dance | ||
| Beginning Jazz Dance | ||
| Advanced Beginning Jazz Dance | ||
| Beginning Tap Dance | ||
| Intermediate Modern Dance | ||
| Advanced Intermediate Modern Dance | ||
| Intermediate Jazz Dance | ||
| Advanced Intermediate Jazz Dance | ||
| Intermediate Ballet | ||
| Advanced Intermediate Ballet | ||
| Intermediate Tap Dance | ||
| Beginning Hip Hop (formerly DAN-131) | ||
| Advanced Beginning Hip Hop | ||
| Intermediate Hip Hop | ||
| Advanced Intermediate Hip Hop | ||
| Dances of the World | ||
| Area B - Required Courses | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Improvisation for Dance and Theater and Improvisation for Dance and Theater | ||
| Dance Touring Ensemble | ||
| Choreography II | ||
| Total Units | 21-23 | |
- 1
Units may be combined from DAN-212 Dance Production and DAN-213 Dance Performance to satisfy the 3 unit requirement in this section.
It is highly recommended that the student be enrolled in a technique class (or more than one) every semester.
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