Thtr Dance Proposal

7/29/2019 Thtr Dance Proposal

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Loyola University Chicago

Theatre Department

Proposal forIntroductory Level Dance Courses

Introduction

The Department of Theatre proposes the creation of several beginning level dance classes

in preparation for the establishment of a Dance Program within the next several yearswhen enrollment dictates demand. Beginning level dance classes will service the general

student population and provide important training for theatre students. It is our intent to

submit these courses for consideration as core courses in the Artistic Knowledge and

Expression category of core curriculum once they have been approved by AcademicCouncil. Studio dance courses must be taught in a space with appropriate floors, mirrors,

barres and audio equipment. Mundelein Centers Auditorium will serve as a temporary

dance studio with portable mirrors and mirrors until permanent space is create in

Mundelein Center during the buildings renovation.

Six beginning level dance courses are presented here for Academic Councilsconsideration. They are as follows:

THTR 111 Ballet I: Introduction to Ballet Dance Theories and Techniques

THTR 212 Ballet II: Continuing Ballet Dance Theories and TechniquesTHTR 121 Modern Dance I: Introduction to Modern Dance Theories and

Techniques

THTR 222 Modern Dance II-Continuing Modern Dance Theories and Techniques

THTR 151 Jazz I: Introduction to Jazz Dance Theories and TechniquesTHTR 252 Jazz II-Continuing Jazz Dance Theories and Techniques

Although we are not submitting a proposal for a Dance program at this time, we believe itwill be helpful for Academic Council to understand how the proposed courses would fit

within a larger context of a Dance Program. (See Appendix A) The six studio classes

will be a valuable addition to the curriculum in their own right and provide thefoundation of a dance minor and major in the future. Chicagos professional Dance

Companies will support Dance Program at Loyola by providing dance performances tosee and professional dancers to serve as part-time faculty. Dance at Loyola will provide

professional quality dance training rooted in the fundamentals within a Liberal Artscontext.


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Appendix A

Dance belongs in a Jesuit education. Since the beginning of time, mankind has danced toshow it greatest reverence and joy. Dance is an activity which strengthens the body,

sharpens the mind, solidifies fellowship and illuminates the human spirit. The Theatre

Department at Loyola University Chicago proposes the development of a dance programwithin the department to serve the university as a whole, the College of Arts and Sciences

and offer a major and minor in dance as a part of the Theatre Departments curriculum.

A dance program at Loyola University Chicago will offer a major based solidly on the

integration of dance as an art form within a liberal arts curriculum. Core courses will be

designed to link the development of a dancers artistic skills with the theory and

technique of analysis, problem solving, critical thinking and cultural diversity. Dance atLoyola University Chicago will promote the development of artistry through the

performance of both contemporary and historical repertory. It will function much like the

current Theatre Department in that it will be firmly grounded in solid classical dance

pedagogy, explore the historical and social ramifications of dance in a variety of cultures,and draw from the rich professional Chicago dance community.

Within the Chicago area there is a dearth of dance training in a liberal arts context on the

university level that provides classically based rigorous training. Northwestern offers a

dance program within their Theatre Department where students create a major by

choosing a series of classes and Northeastern University offers a dance minor throughtheir music department that provides students with an introduction to dance. Columbia

College of Chicago offers the largest dance program in the city with both B.A. and B.F.A

degrees within their Dance Center but neither degree has an extensive liberal arts focus.

A Dance Program at Loyola will serve the entire university as a cultural offering, core

offering or as elective course work. The Dance Program within the Theatre Departmentwill offer regular public performances for the Loyola, Edgewater and Rogers Park

communities to enjoy. Several dance courses will satisfy the expressive arts or

knowledge requirement for the university-wide core curriculum, and if a studio is located

at the Water Tower campus it would be particularly convenient for students in the Schoolof Business Administration and School of Education. In addition, the dance program will

recruit a new population of students and improve movement training for actors. It will

also enable the college to develop an interdisciplinary major or emphasis in MusicalTheatre.

The focus of the program will be two fold; to offer a major and minor and to offer danceto interested students both novice and accomplished. Plans include offering many

sections of modern dance, ballet and jazz at the introductory level as well as offering

African, Latin, Indian and perhaps Asian dance that could serve several interdisciplinaryprograms in the College of Arts & Sciences, such as Black World Studies, Latin

American Studies, Womens Studies and Asian Studies.


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The dance major curriculum will have three components: technique, production and

foundation courses in dance history, theory, critical analysis, pedagogy and movement

science. All technique and foundation courses will be newly created, while productioncourses will come from existing Theatre Department and Music Program courses. The

major will also include movement science classes such as a Human Anatomy and

Physiology course from the Biology Department.

Designated space for dance is a necessity. We propose the establishment of new

studios/performance classrooms in the renovated Mundelein Center to be shared with theTheatre Department and Music Program. An additional studio could be created in the

bottom floors of proposed Clare at WTC offering primarily introductory and basic dance

courses for non-majors. Space in the Mundelein Center and the Claire wont be available

for at least three years. In the meantime, we propose creating a temporary space either onthe Mundelein Center Auditorium Stage with a floor and mirrors that are removable to be

used when the new spaces are complete. Currently the only space on campus created for

dance is in the Hallas Center. Access to that space is strictly limited to academic units

because it is a student life recreation center.

Once the Dance Program is established it will present performances in the main theatre aswell asseveral studio showings in one of the classroom/studio spaces at the LSC campus.

Students will be guided towards creating works in various venues throughout the Chicago

and particularly Edgewater and Rogers Park communities.

Like music, dance is an art form that many students study from the time they are very

young. They may choose to go into other fields, but they want to continue to study and

refine skills while at the university. The number one question asked at Loyola OpenHouse of the Department of Theatre is Do you offer dance? The second question is Do

you offer a program in Musical Theatre? Recent enrollment management figures show

that in 2005, 1254 of the Loyola prospects, applicants, admits and deposit studentsexpressed interest in dance on the ACT and PSAT tests. Currently, the Theatre

Department offers an introductory dance course and movement course once every other

year. The courses are extremely popular and close by the second day of undergraduate

registration.

Interest in dance is high. Many high school students take dance and want to continue

their study when they come to college. Like Theatre, Music and Fine Arts a Danceprogram will stand as an art form on its own, It will make possible the development of an

interdisciplinary major in Musical Theatre and improve the cultural life on campus. We

are certain that a Dance Program will be welcomed by current and future students.Prospective and current students show great interest in dance as a major, minor, or as

simply an opportunity to study the art. Loyola students deserve the opportunity to pursue

excellence in dance. A strong dance program at Loyola will help bring higher visibilityto the arts on campus, promote physical health and enrich the cultural environment at the

university.


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Proposed Dance Curriculum

General Education Dance Courses

Open to all students can count towards the core curriculum.

Ballet I THTR 111 2 hourBallet II THTR 212 2 hour

Modern Dance I THTR 121 2 hour

Modern Dance II THTR 222 2 hourJazz Dance I THTR 151 2 hour

Jazz Dance II THTR 252 2 hour

African Dance THTR 232 2 hour

Latin Dance THTR 233 2 hourAsian Dance THTR 234 2 hour

Dance in Chicago THTR 235 3 hours

Major in Dance

The major consists of hours which must include 24 hours in studio includingComposition and 6 of which must be 300 level, 9 hours in production instruction

(including three hours of THTR 321 Theatre Practicum) and 15 hours of foundation

including pedagogy, music, or body science and 6 hours of history/criticism. A total of

48 hours is required for the dance major.

Minor in Dance

18 hours are required for a minor in dance which must include 8 hours in studio ( 2 of

which must be 300 level or above), 4 hours in production instruction (including one of

which must be THTR 321 Theatre Practicum) and 9 hours history/criticism, music orbody science. A total of 18 hours is required for the dance minor.

Curriculum for Majors and Minors

Studio CoursesMajors/minors only or permission of the program director

(Courses without numbers do not currently exist and cant be offered until an appropriate

dance classroom is secured.)

Ballet III 313 2 hours

Ballet IV 314 2 hoursBallet V 315 2 hours

Point I 316 2 hours

Point II 317 2 hours

Modern III 323 2 hours


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Modern IV 324 2 hours

Modern V 324 2 hours

Jazz III 353 2 hoursJazz IV 354 2 hours

Jazz V 355 2 hours

Composition I 361 2 hoursComposition II 362 2 hours

Repertory 363 2 hours

Foundational Courses

Dance Criticism 3 hours

History I: Multicultural Perspectives 3 hoursHistory II: Renaissance to the Present 3 hours

Dance Pedagogy I technique 3 hours

Dance Pedagogy II curriculum & residency 3 hours

MUSC 101 The Art of Listening 3 hoursMUSC 144 Music Theory I 3 hours

MUSC 155 Introduction to Symphonic Music 3 hoursMUSC I56 Introduction to Jazz 3 hours

BIOL 152 Human Anatomy and Physiology 3 hours

Dance Production

THTR 252 Introduction to Theatrical Design 3 hours

THTR 321 Theatre Practicum 1 hourTHTR 325 Costume Design I 3 hours

THTR 328 Lighting: Theories & Techniques 3 hours

THTR 329 Stage-Makeup Theories & Techniques 3 hoursTHTR 371 Stage Design I 3 hours

Dance Production 1 hour

Sample Course Schedule for the Major

Year 1

Fall Spring

Studio Dance 2 hours Studio Dance 2 hours

Art of Listening 3 hours Intro to Design 3 hour

Year 2

Fall Spring


Dance History 3 hours Dance History 3 hours

Theatre Practicum 1 hour Theatre Practicum 1 hour


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Year 3

Fall Spring


Human Anatomy 3 hours Lighting Design 3 hours

Year 4

Fall Spring


Theatre Practicum 1 hour Dance Criticism 3 hours

Program Phased Structure

This proposal recommends phasing in the Dance Program over time. It will begin by

offering technique courses that will support the core curriculum. The second phase will

add upper level courses and establish a minor. The third phase adds upper level studio

and Foundational course and establishes a major. Each phase will be presented toAcademic Council prior to being adopted.

Phase I-Fall 06-Fall 07: Introduce studio general education courses.

Phase II: Spring 08 09 : Add 300 level studio and foundational course to support the

minor. The minor would be implemented in this phase.

Phase III: Fall 09. Add 300 level studio and foundational courses to support major.

Begin main stage performance season. The major would be implemented in this phase.

Summary

The Department of Theatre proposes the development of the Dance Program to be phased

in over time with the matriculating the minor in Dance in Spring09and amajor in Dance

Spring 11. Dance will support Loyolas mission because to understand dance is tounderstand a global language. Dance is a form of communication that can be appreciated

and shared by people of all cultures. At its very essence, dance is a manifestation of the

interconnectedness of societies all over the world. Dance originated as means to glorifyGod and will be at home in our Jesuit Catholic University. Chicago is rich in

professional dance and will serve as an extraordinary backdrop for Loyolas Dance

Program. Students will be afforded the opportunity to interact with professional dancersas teachers and see an array of classical and contemporary dance. Loyolas Dance

Program will support our liberal arts education by reinforcing analysis, problem solving,

and critical thinking skills as well as explore the historical and social ramifications ofdance in a variety of cultures. It will stand apart from other dance programs in the area

because it will teach undergraduate students exclusively and will be grounded in solid

classical dance pedagogy. A dance program will support our Theatre major and minor

would make an inter-disciplinary program in Musical Theatre possible.


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It is an opportune time to invest in a Dance Program at Loyola. Loyolas recent core

curriculum revision offers students more flexibility to choose courses and to take onadditional majors and minors. Lake Shore Campus is undergoing several building

renovations such as the Root Building and Mundelein Center which can provide dance

studio space necessary for the program. President Garanzini and Dean Crawford haveidentified strengthening arts at Loyola as a goal in their strategic plans and dance will

contribute to their vision. Prospective students inquire about dance at Loyola on a

regular basis and current students eagerly take whatever dance courses are offered. Tobegin a program, Loyola will need to invest in a designated dance studio that can double

as a rehearsal space for the Theatre Department, a full-time renewable contract line and

additional part-time faculty. As the program grows and additional courses and spaces are

phased in, additional full and part time faculty will be necessary.

Dance at Loyola is a worthy endeavor. It will satisfy the interests of prospective and

current students to study dance, enrich Loyolas cultural life and demonstrate the

universitys commitment to the arts.

Documents

Thtr Dance Proposal