Undergraduate Academic Programs

Degree Programs

Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology (BSK), Dance Major

Description of Program

The Department of Kinesiology offers a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology degree with a major in dance. The major consists of 67 credits, and the curriculum includes dance technique, repertory, improvisation, composition, pedagogy, history, music, production, movement analysis, injury prevention, and Pilates certification. In addition, students take a strong science core, and complete requirements in arts and humanities. Modern dance and ballet are requirements in the dance major curriculum, and students can also elect to study jazz, musical theatre, tap, dances of the African Diaspora, hip-hop, and social dance. Students have technique classes and repertory rehearsals daily, as well as work in improvisation, composition, and choreography several days a week. The dance major is a program rich in artistic integrity and disciplined dance training, and also provides a strong academic and theoretical core that is essential to producing wholly integrated artists and successful dance professionals. An audition is required for acceptance into this degree program.

Admission

Admission to Indiana University

Apply online for undergraduate admission to Indiana University at http://admit.indiana.edu/.

International applicants for admission to a second undergraduate degree program in the School of Public Health - Bloomington, whose primary language is not English, must satisfy one of the following criteria before being considered for admission directly into one the School's degree programs:

  • submission of a minimum score on the Test Of English As a Foreign Language (TOEFL), of 550 on the paper-based test, or 213 on the computer-based test, or 80 on the Internet-based test.
  • submission of a minimum score of 7 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
  • proof of completing at least three full years of secondary school in a predominantly English speaking country. A current list of such countries can be found here.

For students from countries where the TOEFL and the IELTS are not available, other evidence of English proficiency may be considered.

All entering international students whose primary language is not English will be required to take a special examination in English with IU prior to registering. Prepared by IU and designed to test a student’s ability to use English in an academic setting, the exam consists of three parts: an essay on a general topic, a listening comprehension exercise, and a grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension section. There is little that one can do to prepare for this exam other than to continue using written and spoken English at every opportunity. Appropriate remedial English courses may be prescribed on the basis of the results of this test.

International students whose primary language is not English must agree to take any English language courses prescribed from the results of this examination. Fees for special part-time English courses are the same as for other courses; however, credits earned do not meet degree requirements. If the results of the proficiency examination indicate that full-time work in English is required, the student will be assigned to the Intensive English Program (IEP).

Students enrolled in IEP do not take academic courses until they achieve adequate English proficiency. If a student has serious doubts about English ability and is not financially prepared to undertake the additional time and expense of an intensive English program here, the student should consider completing English study in the student’s home country. In addition, the student may consider delaying admission to a future session.

Admission to the Dance Program

An application and audition are required for admission to the Department of Kinesiology's major in dance at Indiana University. Applicants may visit www.indiana.edu/~condance for information about the program and to complete and submit an online application. A paper application packet may be obtained from the Department of Kinesiology. Please contact:

Mildred Perkins, Undergraduate Secretary
School of Public Health - Bloomington, SPH 112
1025 E. Seventh Street Bloomington, IN 47405
Phone: (812) 855-6172
Fax: (812) 855-3193
mlperkin [at] indiana [dot] edu

Please submit paper application materials to the above address. All application materials for the dance major must be received at least two weeks prior to the audition date. Applicants who meet this requirement will receive a confirmation letter prior to the audition. This letter must be presented at the time of the audition.

Please report to Room 161 in the SPH Building at 9:00 a.m. on the date of the audition. A campus map will accompany your confirmation letter. Auditionees will have the opportunity to observe a modern dance technique class from 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. The audition will begin promptly at 11:30 a.m. with a two-hour technique class. The class will consist of a ballet barre and several modern dance combinations. Box lunches will be served from 1:30-2:15 p.m. Students should then be prepared to show a 1.5 minute solo in the modern dance genre. Solos may be choreographed by the performer, or by another dance professional. Following the audition the auditionees may elect to view repertory rehearsals from 3:30-6:30, at which time there will be a question and answer session for students and their parents. Letters indicating audition results will be sent approximately two weeks following the audition.

Please note: All students must officially apply and be accepted to Indiana University Bloomington before being admitted to the Department of Kinesiology dance major. Students may audition for the major prior to official admission to IU. Additionally, in adherence to university policy, students who pass the audition process and are admitted to Indiana University Bloomington must successfully complete 26 credit hours and have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 in order to be officially accepted into the dance major.

Questions concerning the dance major and audition dates may be directed to:
Elizabeth Shea
Coordinator, IU Contemporary Dance Program
School of Public Health - Bloomington
Indiana University
SPH 112
1025 E. Seventh Street
Bloomington, IN 47405
Phone: (812) 855-7020
Fax: (812) 855-3193
Email: eshea [at] indiana [dot] edu

Degree Requirements

The four-year dance curriculum combines a rigorous general-education component with technical training and professional experience. Students admitted to this program are selected from a pool of applicants. Application includes an audition. Graduation requirements include:

  • completion of general education requirements.
  • completion of dance major requirements.
  • a minimum of 120 successfully completed credit hours which count toward the degree program.
  • a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.
  • a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA in a combination of ANAT-A 215 and courses with the following department code-prefixes: SPH-A, SPH-C, SPH-D, SPH-K, and SPH-M.
  • No Pass/Fail except for free electives.
General Education (20 – 39 credits)

All undergraduate students must complete the IU Bloomington campus-wide general education common ground requirements. Such students must visit the 2013-2014 General Education Bulletin to view these requirements.

Major (80-84 cr.)

Kinesiology Core Courses (67 cr.)
Complete the following Courses:

  • SPH-A 387 Management of Dance Injuries (3 cr.)
  • SPH or THTR-D 100 A Somatic Approach to Ballet Practices (2 cr.)
  • SPH or THTR-D 100 A Somatic Approach to Ballet Practices (2 cr.)
  • SPH or THTR-D 100 A Somatic Approach to Ballet Practices (2 cr.)
  • SPH or THTR-D 100 A Somatic Approach to Ballet Practices (2 cr.)
  • SPH or THTR-D 100 A Somatic Approach to Ballet Practices (2 cr.)
  • SPH or THTR-D 100 A Somatic Approach to Ballet Practices (2 cr.)
  • SPH or THTR-D 102 Body Conditioning for Dancers (1 cr.)
  • SPH-D 111 or THTR-D 109 Core of Dance Technique (3 cr.)
  • SPH or THTR-D 112 Core of Dance Technique II (3 cr.)
  • SPH or THTR-D 121 Techniques of Movement Improvisation (1 cr.)
  • SPH or THTR-D 161 Foundations of Modern Dance (2 cr.) (P: D 121)
  • SPH or THTR-D 200 Dance in Elementary Education (1 cr.) or SPH or THTR-D 351 Teaching of Modern Dance (1 cr.) (P: D 211)
  • SPH or THTR-D 201 Modern Dance Workshop (1 cr.)
  • SPH or THTR-D 201 Modern Dance Workshop (1 cr.)
  • SPH or THTR-D 201 Modern Dance Workshop (1 cr.)
  • SPH or THTR-D 211 Advanced Modern Dance Technique I (3 cr.) (P: D 112)
  • SPH or THTR-D 212 Advanced Modern Dance Technique II (3 cr.) (P: D 211)
  • SPH or THTR-D 221 Dance Composition I (2 cr.) (P: D121)
  • SPH or THTR-D 222 Dance Composition II (2 cr.) (P: D221)
  • SPH or THTR-D 261 Indiana University Dance Theatre (1 cr.)
  • SPH or THTR-D 261 Indiana University Dance Theatre (1 cr.)
  • SPH or THTR-D 261 Indiana University Dance Theatre (1 cr.)
  • SPH or THTR-D 311 Theory and Practice of Dance Technique (3 cr.) (P: D 212)
  • SPH or THTR-D 312 Theory and Practice of Dance Technique II (3 cr.) (P: D 311)
  • SPH or THTR-D 332 Twentieth Century Concert Dance (3 cr.)
  • SPH or THTR-D 353 Musical Resources for Dance (2 cr.)
  • SPH or THTR-D 411 Senior Seminar in Dance I (2 cr.)
  • SPH or THTR-D 412 Senior Seminar in Dance II (2 cr.)
  • SPH or THTR-D 421 Choreographic Performance Project (2 cr.) (P: D 222)
  • SPH or THTR-D 441 Dance Production I (2 cr.)
  • SPH or THTR-D 461 Methods of Movement Analysis (1 cr.)
  • SPH or THTR-D 462 Dance Summary (2 cr.) (senior dance majors only)
  • SPH-K 450 Topic: Introduction to Kinesiology and Public Health(3 cr.)
Dance Track (13-17 cr.)
Complete one of the following tracks:
  • Track 1: Creative Practice and Peformance(15-17 cr.)
  • Track 2: Movement Arts and Sciences(13 cr.)
Requirements for completion of the Creative Practice and Performance Track (15-17 cr.)
Complete each of the following courses:
  • SPH or THTR-D 105 Foundations of Strength in Technique (1 cr.)
  • SPH or THTR-D 105 Foundations of Strength in Technique (1 cr.)
  • SPH or THTR-D 241 Urban and Global Dance Styles (2 cr.)
  • SPH or THTR-D 241 Urban and Global Dance Styles (2 cr.)
  • SPH-K 205 Structural Kinesiology (3 cr.) or ANAT-A 215 Basic Human Anatomy (5 cr.) +(N&M)
Complete 6 credits from the following dance electives:
  • AAAD-A 100 African American Dance Company (2 cr.) (repeatable)
  • AAAD-A 221 Dance in the African Diaspora (3 cr.)
  • SPH or THTR-D 100 A Somatic Approach to Ballet Practices (2 cr.)
  • SPH or THTR-D 105 Foundations of Strength in Technique (1 cr.)
  • SPH or THTR-D 200 Dance in Elementary Education (1 cr.) or SPH or THTR-D 351 Teaching of Modern Dance (1 cr.) (P: D 211)
  • SPH or THTR-D 201 Modern Dance Workshop (1 cr.)
  • SPH or THTR-D 231 Introduction to Dance Studies (3 cr.) +(A&H)
  • SPH or THTR-D 241 Urban and Global Dance Styles (2 cr.)
  • SPH or THTR-D 261 Indiana University Dance Theatre (1 cr.)
  • SPH or THTR-D 480 Advanced Choreography Investigations (3 cr.)
  • SPH or THTR-D 497 Internship in Community Dance Partnerships (3 cr.)
  • SPH-K 450 or THTR-D 483 Topic: Stott Pilates Intensive Mat-Plus (3 cr.)
  • THTR-T_ Any dance advisor-approved theatre class(es)
Requirements for completion of the Movement Arts and Sciences Track (13 cr.)
Complete each of the following courses:
  • ANAT-A 215 Human Anatomy (5 cr.)
  • SPH or THTR-D 105 Foundations of Strength in Technique (1 cr.)
  • SPH or THTR-D 241 Urban and Global Dance Styles (2 cr.)
  • PHSL-P 215 Basic Human Physiology (5 cr.)

+ Courses followed by a A&H notation apply toward completion of both the major requirement and the general education, natural and mathematic sciences requirement.


+ Courses followed by a S&H notation apply toward completion of both the major requirement and the general education, natural and mathematic sciences requirement.


Suggested Courses for the First-Year Dance Student
Fall Semester (17 cr.)
SPH or THTR-D 102 Body Conditioning for Dancers (1 cr.)
SPH-D 111 or THTR-D 109 Core of Dance Technique (3 cr.)
SPH or THTR-D 121 Techniques of Movement Improvisation (1 cr.)
SPH or THTR-D 261 Indiana University Dance Theater (1 cr.)
SPH or THTR-D 100 A Somatic Approach to Contemporary Ballet Practices (2 cr.)
ENG-W 131 English Composition or ENG W170 Argumentative Writing (3 cr.)
Arts and Humanities (3 cr.)
Mathematical Modeling (3 cr.)

Spring Semester (17 cr.)
SPH or THTR-D112 Core of Dance Technique II (3 cr.)
SPH or THTR-D 161 Foundations of Modern Dance (2 cr.)
SPH or THTR-D 201 Modern Dance Workshop (1 cr.)
SPH or THTR-D 100 A Somatic Approach to Contemporary Ballet Practices (2 cr.)
CMCL-C 121 Public Speaking (3 cr.)
SPH-K 205 Structural Kinesiology or ANAT A215 Human Anatomy (N&M) (3-5 cr.)
Dance Elective(s) (1-3 cr.)

Special Opportunities

All dance majors are performing members of the Indiana University Dance Theatre, and perform in faculty/guest artist concerts as well as in student works. Seniors produce a concert each fall. Students can find other performing opportunities with the opera, musical theatre program, the African American Dance Company and Bloomington’s local modern dance company, Windfall Dancers. Dance majors also have opportunities to perform nationally and internationally at various festivals and conferences. Additionally, students are encouraged to pursue special areas of interest, such as dance in technology and dance scholarship and creative activity (through the Hutton Honors College).

Careers

The Department of Kinesiology also offers several minors which nicely compliment the dance major, such as Fitness Instruction and Sports Marketing and Management. Other areas of professional preparation include pre-dance therapy, pre-physical therapy, and Pilates certification. Minors or certifications in Business and Arts Administration (SPEA), or the Liberal Arts Management program may also be of interest. Graduates of the dance major are working in many diverse venues as performers, teachers, choreographers, company managers, art administrators, artistic directors, university professors, and dance educators within public school systems.

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