DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE AND DANCE

Dance Program

Master of Fine Arts

This degree is structured to meet two objectives: (1) to offer advanced preparation of the dance artist by providing intensive studio training, choreographic and performance opportunities and (2) to provide the developing artist with a philosophical, theoretical, and research orientation to dance as an art form.

Admission Requirements

Students seeking admission to the Master of Fine Arts program offered by the Dance Program must meet the basic requirements of Graduate Studies specified in the ADMISSION section of this catalogue. Dance Program admissions requirements are as follows:

1. A bachelor’s degree in Dance, or a demonstrated equivalent level of achievement.
2. A minimum GPA of 3.0 in undergraduate Dance courses.
3. Submission of a videotaped portfolio of choreographed works for evaluation by the graduate review committee.
4. A combined score of 800 on any two portions of the GRE (i.e. verbal + quantitative, verbal + analytical, quantitative + analytical).
5. Demonstrate through audition (to be undertaken no more than one year prior to the commencement of study) quality performance and understanding which is acceptable to the graduate review committee.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

MFA Graduate Committee. A Master of Fine Arts Graduate Committee in Dance is composed of three members of the Department of Theatre and Dance graduate faculty and is selected by the student before he/she completes 12 hours. This selection will be done in consultation and with the approval of the graduate advisor.

Transfer Credit. Up to 18 hours of graduate credit may be transferred toward the Master of Fine Arts degree in Dance. However, the MFA Graduate Committee reserves the right to refuse graduate credit from another institution or from Sam Houston State University for any courses not done specifically under the direction of the Dance MFA Graduate Committee.

Period of Study Required. The Master of Fine Arts degree requires a minimum of 48 semester credit hours. A minimum GPA of 3.0 must be maintained. The MFA candidate is expected to maintain continuous physical training in ballet and modern technique classes during the time he/she is enrolled. Requirements of the degree must be completed within six years of the beginning of study.

MINIMUM MFA COURSE REQUIREMENTS

• 27 hours core curriculum in Dance
• 6 hours thesis
• 6 hours electives in Dance
• 9 hours electives in related fields
• 48 hours total

All candidates must achieve advanced placement in dance technique classes to be recommended for the Master of Fine Arts degree in Dance. No more than six hours of graduate credit in dance technique may be earned in less than the advanced placement level.

A thesis is required of all MFA candidates. The thesis will be a formal concert of the student’s works, accompanied by a supporting paper. The works will consist of either the student’s performance, creative work, or reconstructed repertory. The graduate committee must approve the proposed content and extent of the thesis prior to the presentation of the thesis performance. The written paper must comply with the specifications for the written thesis, which are available through the Office of the Dean, College of Arts and Sciences. A record of the performance, either in film, videotape, or notated form, must be included as part of the candidate’s accompanying paper.

The student must also pass an oral examination testing general knowledge of dance concepts, philosophy, and traditions as they relate to his/her thesis work. The oral examination will be conducted by the candidate’s graduate committee and selected members of the faculty of the Department of Theatre and Dance and the dean’s representative. After the oral examination has been passed and the thesis performance and supporting paper have been approved by the graduate committee, the candidate is recommended for the Master of Fine Arts degree in Dance. The candidate must supply a record of the thesis, which will be permanently retained by the University.

GRADUATE COURSES

DANCE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

DNC 472 DANCE CRITICISM AND ANALYSIS. Students will view outstanding examples of choreography, read the works of major dance critics, and further develop the tools needed to critically analyze choreography. Emphasis is on writing informed, insightful analyses of the form, content and effectiveness of choreographic works. Credit 3.

DNC 474 DANCE PEDAGOGY. This course acquaints students in dance with the methods for teaching ballet and modern dance technique. It examines the curriculum for dance established by the national Standards for Arts Education for grades K-12. Students gain theoretical and practical experience, focusing on the use of anatomically correct and systematic approaches to developing dance skills. Class structure, design of exercises, effective communication with students, and selection of appropriate musical accompaniment are examined. Credit 3.

DNC 533 THE DEVELOPMENT OF ADVANCED SKILLS IN DANCE. This course includes theoretical concepts and laboratory experiences in modern dance and ballet. Course may be repeated for credit with approval of Dance Program Coordinator. Credit 3.

DNC 560 SEMINAR IN DANCE PRODUCTION. An opportunity to produce all aspects of a dance concert from pre-production planning to post-production meetings. Costume design and construction, lighting design and board operation, sound recording and board operation, publicity, fund raising, box office, house management, video operation and editing, are experienced in actual production settings. Credit 3.

DNC 571 THEORY OF DANCE. An examination is made of the component elements of dance as an art form. Credit 3.

DNC 576 CONTEMPORARY DANCE COMPOSITION. This course includes the analysis of various components of design and development of basic dance studies into more extended dance works. Credit 3.

DNC 577 INDEPENDENT STUDIES. This course is adaptable to the needs and interests of the individual student. Students with specific interests are provided the opportunity to investigate and make application in theoretical, creative or field experience approaches to their area of concentration. May be repeated provided the repetition is in a different area of study. Prerequisites: Permission of Dance Program Coordinator. Credit 3.

DNC 578 ADVANCED COMPOSITION IN CONTEMPORARY DANCE. The purpose of this course is to extend understanding of dance as an art and a craft, and to improve ability to choreograph an extended dance work. Prerequisite: DNC 576 or permission of instructor. Credit 3.

DNC 585 RESEARCH METHODS IN DANCE. Research methods specific to dance theory, choreography, and performance are introduced. Standard and electronic information resources, methods of investigation, and various means of organizing a review of literature are examined. Written and organizational skills are evaluated. Competencies and deficiencies in oral presentations are reviewed, recorded, and assessed. The course culminates with the development, refinement, and oral presentation of a written thesis proposal in dance. Prerequisite: graduate standing or permission of the instructor. Credit 3.

DNC 698 THESIS. This phase of the thesis development involves the selection and design of a suitable performance and/or creative project with the completion of review of related literature and research work necessary. The thesis committee must approve a pilot showing of the work-in-progress. Credit 3.

DNC 699 THESIS. The exhibition of the thesis will consist of a formal thesis concert of the student’s performance and/or creative work accompanied by a supporting paper. The written paper must comply with the specifications of the written thesis, which are available in the Office of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. The student must also pass an oral examination, testing general knowledge of dance concepts and traditions that relate to his/her thesis work. (The student must be registered in DNC 699 the semester in which he/she receives the M.F.A. degree.) Credit 3.