Dance

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Dance

The Dance program prepares the serious dance student for university transfer and provides dance training and enrichment for both the beginning and the advanced dancer. The program offers a comprehensive curriculum with a broad range of dance courses to nurture versatile dance artists. The Dance Department encourages students to think independently, to value creative thought and diversity, and to be responsible global citizens.

The goal of the Dance program is to prepare students for future careers in performance, choreography, teaching, and related careers in dance. The program offers a wide array of dance classes designed to cultivate technique, creativity, and performance skills while enhancing self-confidence, creative thought/expression, and critical thinking.

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Programs Offered

Degrees and Certificates

Associate Degree

Dance

Certificate of Achievement

Commercial Dance

Associate Degree Requirements

An Associate degree is granted upon successful completion of a program of study with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 (C) in degree applicable coursework and a minimum of 60 degree applicable semester units, including:

Completion of the area of emphasis with a grade of C or higher in each course, or with a P if the course was taken on a Pass/No Pass basis, and the P is equal to a C or higher;
Completion of one of the following general education patterns: SMC GE, CSU GE, or IGETC;
Completion of the SMC Global Citizenship graduation requirement.

Certificate of Achievement Requirements

A Certificate of Achievement is granted upon successful completion of a program of study with a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 (C) and a designated minimum number of units, including:

Completion of the area of emphasis with a grade of C or higher in each course, or with a P if the course was taken on a Pass/No Pass basis, and the P is equal to a C or higher;
Completion of at least 50% of area of emphasis units at Santa Monica College. Department Chairs have the discretion to waive the 50% minimum units required at SMC to meet the major or area of emphasis. All major coursework must be completed with a “C” or better grade.

Catalog Rights

Transfer Preparation

Many colleges/universities offer baccalaureate degrees in this field. Students planning to transfer to a four-year college or university should complete the lower-division major requirements and the general education pattern for the specific transfer institution. SMC has articulation agreements with the many UC and CSU campuses, as well as several private and out-of-state institutions.

Exact major requirements for UC and CSU campuses can be found online at assist.org.

A listing of private, nonprofit California colleges and universities can be found online at aiccu.edu. For articulation agreements between SMC and some of these institutions see smc.edu/articulation.

Dance, Associate Degree

Program Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of the program, students will develop an understanding and appreciation of the aesthetics inherent in the art of dance, as well as develop an awareness and respect for similar and dissimilar cultures. Students acquire the historical knowledge, necessary technical skills, and knowledge in a particular style of dance, as well as observation/analysis of dance presented on stage or in media. Students implement critical thinking skills and kinesthetic awareness through creative experience in class, learning to communicate through the power of movement, and discovering self-motivation.

Area of Emphasis: (33 units)

Required Courses: (31 units)

DANCE 5,Dance History(3)

DANCE 33A,Intermediate Ballet 3A(2)

DANCE 33B,Intermediate Ballet 3B(2)

DANCE 34A,Advanced Ballet 4A(2)

DANCE 34B,Advanced Ballet 4B(2)

DANCE 43A,Intermediate Contemporary Modern Dance 3A(2)

DANCE 43B,Intermediate Contemporary Modern Dance 3B(2)

DANCE 44A,Advanced Contemporary Modern Dance 4A(2)

DANCE 44B,Advanced Contemporary Modern Dance 4B(2)

DANCE 55A,Dance Performance – Modern(4)

DANCE 57A,World Dance Performance(4)

DANCE 60,Fundamentals of Choreography: Dance Improvisation(2)

DANCE 61,Fundamentals of Choreography: Composition 1(2)

Additional Electives: Select at least 2 units from the following: (2 units)

DANCE 2,Dance in American Culture(3)

DANCE 6,20th and 21st Century Dance History(3)

DANCE 7,Music for Dance(3)

DANCE 9,Dance Productions(3)

DANCE 10,Fundamentals of Dance Technique(2)

DANCE 11,Beginning Hip Hop Dance(2)

DANCE 12,Intermediate Hip Hop Dance(2)

DANCE 13,Advanced Hip Hop Dance(2)

DANCE 14,Beginning Jazz(2)

DANCE 15,Intermediate Jazz(2)

DANCE 16,Advanced Jazz(2)

DANCE 17,Beginning Tap(2)

DANCE 18,Intermediate Tap(2)

DANCE 19A,Beginning Ballroom Dance(2)

DANCE 20,World Dance Styles and Forms(2)

DANCE 21A,Beginning Asian Pacific Dance(2)

DANCE 21B,Intermediate Asian Pacific Dance(2)

DANCE 22A,Beginning Mexican Dance (formerly DANCE 22)(2)

DANCE 22B ,Intermediate Mexican Dance (formerly DANCE 23)(2)

DANCE 24,Flamenco Dance 1(2)

DANCE 24B,Intermediate Flamenco Dance(2)

DANCE 25,African Dance(2)

DANCE 25B,Intermediate African Dance(2)

DANCE 26A,Beginning Salsa Dance(2)

DANCE 27,Brazilian Dance(2)

DANCE 27B,Intermediate Brazilian Dance(2)

DANCE 29,Middle Eastern/North African Dance(2)

DANCE 31A,Ballet 1A (formerly DANCE 31)(2)

DANCE 32A,Ballet 2A (formerly DANCE 32)(2)

DANCE 37,Beginning Pointe(2)

DANCE 41,Contemporary Modern Dance 1(2)

DANCE 42,Contemporary Modern Dance 2(2)

DANCE 55B,Dance Repertory – Modern(1)

DANCE 57B,Repertory World Dance(1)

DANCE 59A,Dance Performance – Ballet(3)

DANCE 62,Fundamentals of Choreography: Composition 2(2)

DANCE 63,Fundamentals of Choreography: Special Topics(2)

DANCE 70,Dance Staging Techniques(1)

DANCE 75,Dance for Children: Creative Dance in the Pre-K and Elementary Classroom (same as ECE 75)(3)

DANCE 77,Navigating Careers in Dance(3)

DANCE 79,Dance in New York City(1)

ECE 75,Dance for Children: Creative Dance in the Pre-K and Elementary Classroom (same as DANCE 75)(3)

Commercial Dance, Certificate of Achievement

The Commercial Dance Certificate of Achievement is specifically designed for the student seeking employment in the commercial dance world and related industries. The curriculum is designed to be completed in two semesters of study through coursework in the Santa Monica College Dance Department. Upon completion of this certificate, the student is prepared for the evolving demands of dance-related industries and demonstrates proficiency in diverse commercial dance techniques, performance and audition skills, and the presentation of artist materials. Coursework includes hip hop, jazz, tap, and world dance techniques, performance, choreography, and career preparation.

Upon completion of the Santa Monica College Commercial Dance Certificate of Achievement, students will demonstrate technical and artistic proficiency in commercial dance genres and generate artist materials needed for dance-related careers. Students will possess the industry knowledge, creative skill sets, and audition and networking strategies to pursue various dance-related employment opportunities. Students will develop greater confidence and resilience as artists and collaborators equipped for the dynamic nature of a career in the arts.

Program Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of the program, students will demonstrate technical and artistic proficiency in commercial dance genres and generate artist materials needed for dance-related careers. Students will possess the industry knowledge, creative skill sets, and audition and networking strategies to pursue various dance-related employment opportunities. Students will develop greater confidence and resilience as artists and collaborators equipped for the dynamic nature of a career in the arts.

Area of Emphasis: (20 units)

Required Courses: (14 units)

DANCE 55A,Dance Performance - Modern(4)

DANCE 57A,World Dance Performance(4)

DANCE 63,Fundamentals of Choreography: Special Topics(2)

DANCE 77,Navigating Careers in Dance(3)

DANCE 90A,Dance Internship(1)

Select 1 Hip Hop Dance Course: (2 units)

DANCE 12,Intermediate Hip Hop Dance(2)

DANCE 13,Advanced Hip Hop Dance(2)

Select 1 Jazz Dance Course: (2 units)