Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology
Visual and Performing Arts (BA) with Dance Concentration
Students who complete the major in Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) pursue an interdisciplinary study of the arts by completing a major core that includes courses in writing, interdisciplinary studies, professional development, historical context, theory and practice. The VPA major culminates in a Senior Capstone. Students who are majoring in VPA can focus their studies by choosing from nine possible concentrations.
The Dance concentration focuses on student work in ballet, modern, jazz, tap, and Latin social dance. Students will develop knowledge and skills in dance history, technique, composition, and performance studies.
At least one-half of the semester credit hours for a major must be taken at UT Dallas.
Unless otherwise noted, courses in Visual and Performing Arts are open to all students in the University.
Bachelor of Arts in Visual and Performing Arts with Dance Concentration
Degree Requirements (120 semester credit hours)
View an Example of Degree Requirements by Semester
Faculty
Associate Professor of Instruction: Monica M. Saba
Assistant Professor of Instruction: Misty Owens
I. Core Curriculum Requirements: 42 semester credit hours1
Communication: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from Communication Core courses (see advisor)
Mathematics: 3 semester credit hours
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Mathematics Core courses
Life and Physical Sciences: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from Life and Physical Sciences Core courses
Language, Philosophy and Culture: 3 semester credit hours
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Language, Philosophy and Culture Core courses
Creative Arts: 3 semester credit hours
DANC 1310 Understanding Dance2
or DANC 1305 Introduction to World Dance Forms2
Or select any 3 semester credit hours from Creative Arts Core courses (see advisor)
American History: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from American History Core courses
Government/Political Science: 6 semester credit hours
Select any 6 semester credit hours from Government/Political Science Core courses (see advisor)
Social and Behavioral Sciences: 3 semester credit hours
Select any 3 semester credit hours from Social and Behavioral Sciences Core courses
Component Area Option: 6 semester credit hours
DANC 1305 Introduction to World Dance Forms2
or DANC 1310 Understanding Dance2
Or select any 6 semester credit hours from Component Area Option Core courses
II. Major Requirements, Lower-Division: 6 semester credit hours beyond Core Curriculum
0 semester credit hours beyond Core Curriculum from the following:
DANC 1310 Understanding Dance2
DANC 1305 Introduction to World Dance Forms2
3 semester credit hours from a DANC studio
3 semester credit hours from a DANC/THEA/MUSI studio ensemble course
III. Major Requirements, Upper-Division: 39 semester credit hours
Major Core Courses: 15 semester credit hours
VPAS 3340 Writing in the Arts
VPAS 4389 Theory and Practice of the Visual and Performing Arts
VPAS 4390 Senior Capstone
or VPAS 4V99 Senior Honors in Visual and Performing Art
3 semester credit hours of upper-level Related Courses from the Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology (excluding the DANC prefix)
Select 3 semester credit hours of Professional Development Courses from the following:
ARTS 3311 Contemporary Art Practices
ARTS 4310 Studies in Contemporary Exhibitions
COMM 4370 Communication and Leadership
COMM 4371 Communication and Professionalism
ENTP 3301 Innovation and Entrepreneurship
ISAH 4V50 Internship
VPAS 4310 Entertainment Law
Dance Concentration Requirements: 24 semester credit hours
DANC 3340 Dance in Historical Context
or Upper-Level Visual and Performing Arts Historical Context course
12 semester credit hours of 3000/4000-level Dance Studio and Ensemble courses
DANC 3347 Dance Composition
DANC 3345 Dance Performance
or DANC 3346 Musical Theatre Dance Performance
or DANC 4317 Dance Performance 2
3 semester credit hours of upper-division Visual and Performing Arts elective
IV. Elective Requirements: 33 semester credit hours
Free Electives: 33 semester credit hours
Both upper- and lower-division courses may be used as electives. Students are encouraged to enroll in lower-level courses in other performance areas, such as theatre and music.
The plan must include sufficient upper-division courses to total 45 upper-division semester credit hours.
Incoming freshmen must enroll and complete requirements of AHTC 1100.
Minors
Students must take a minimum of 18 semester credit hours for the minor. Students who take a minor will be expected to meet the normal prerequisites in courses making up the minor, and should maintain a minimum GPA of 2.000 on a 4.00 scale (C average). Semester credit hours may not be used to satisfy both the major and minor requirements; however, free elective semester credit hours or major preparatory classes may be used to satisfy the minor. Core courses offered by the school may count as lower-division semester credit hours toward the minor. Topics courses must be approved by the school. The Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology will substitute courses as necessary. At least one-third of the semester credit hours for a minor must be taken at The University of Texas at Dallas.
Minor in Dance
18 semester credit hours
Dance Historical Study: 3 semester credit hours
Choose one lower-division course from the following:
DANC 1310 Understanding Dance
DANC 1305 Introduction to World Dance Forms
DANC 2V71 Independent Study in Dance (1-3 semester credit hours)
Performance and Technical Study: 15 semester credit hours
Choose one required course from the following (3 semester credit hours):
DANC 3345 Dance Performance
DANC 3346 Musical Theatre Dance Performance
DANC 3347 Dance Composition
DANC 4317 Dance Performance 2
Choose four courses from the following (12 semester credit hours, no more than 6 semester credit hours can be at the lower level):
DANC 2311 Topics in Dance
DANC 2321 Stretch, Conditioning, Alignment
DANC 2331 Dance Technique 1
DANC 2332 Modern Dance 1
DANC 2333 Jazz Dance 1
DANC 2334 Ballet 1
DANC 2336 Tap Dance 1
DANC 3332 Dance Technique 2
DANC 3333 Modern Dance 2
DANC 3334 Jazz Dance 2
DANC 3335 Ballet 2
DANC 3340 Dance in Historical Context
DANC 3342 Advanced Topics in Dance
DANC 3345 Dance Performance
DANC 3347 Dance Composition
DANC 4313 Dance Technique 3
DANC 4314 Modern Dance 3
DANC 4315 Ballet 3
DANC 4316 Jazz Dance 3
DANC 4317 Dance Performance 2
DANC 4318 Dance Technique 4
DANC 4V71 Independent Study in Dance
1. Curriculum Requirements can be fulfilled by other approved courses from institutions of higher education. The courses listed are recommended as the most efficient way to satisfy both Core Curriculum and Major Requirements at UT Dallas.
2. A required Preparatory course that also fulfills a Core Curriculum requirement. Semester credit hours may be counted in Core Curriculum.