Course Majors

Course Major
The goal of the course major in Dance is to expose a student to the broad scope of the field. The distribution of required courses for the major provides students with an introduction to Dance Studies, Choreography, Studio Practice, and Performance, and allows them to direct their final credit(s) in the major toward a specific focus: Choreography, Dance Studies, or an Individually Created focus (Special Major). Majors will be required to develop an extended paper or a significant dance performance piece as part of their focus. All dance majors are strongly encouraged to participate in Studio Practice and Repertory/Ensemble classes each semester.
All Majors will design their programs in consultation with a faculty advisor.

Requirements for Admission to the Major (to be completed in the first two years of study):
1. Overall average of C or better in all courses taken during the two semesters preceding the time of application.
2. Completion of one course in dance studies at Swarthmore with a grade of B or better.
3. Completion of one course (Dance Lab I or II for Choreography focus and Dance Lab I or one additional dance studies course for Dance Studies focus) at Swarthmore with a grade of B or better
4. Completion of at least one .5 credit course in Studio Practice or Repertory/Ensemble

*Although Studio Practice and Repertory/Ensemble courses can be repeated for credit, a student can only apply a course once towards the Major requirements. 

The dance faculty encourages students to pursue a senior project/thesis that incorporates a comparison or integration of dance with some other creative or performing art (creative writing, music, theater, or visual art), with a community-based learning component, or with another academic discipline of the student’s interest. 

Requirements for the Major - Dance Studies focus:
1. Five Dance Studies courses
    a. One course from: DANC 021 or 022
    b. One course from: DANC 004 or 025
    c. Three Dance Studies elective courses
2. Four .5 credit Studio Practice and/or Repertory/Ensemble courses
    from DANC 040-078* 
The above credits must represent three different dance or movement forms. 
3. General Electives (Choose 1 credit)
    a. DANC 011. Dance Lab I: Making Dance
    b. One Dance Studies course
    c. Two Additional .5 credit Studio Practice and/or Repertory/Ensemble courses
        from DANC 040-078*
4. DANC 095 and/or 096. Senior Thesis
Total credits for Major – Dance Studies focus: 9-10

*Although Studio Practice and Repertory/Ensemble courses can be repeated for credit, a student can only apply a course once towards the Major requirements. 

Requirements for the Major - Choreography focus:
1. DANC 011. Dance Lab I: Making Dance** or DANC 013. Dance Lab III: Making Dance**
2. DANC 012. Dance Lab II: Making Dance**
3. DANC 045. Yoga
4. Three Dance Studies courses
    a. One course from: DANC 021 or 022
    b. One course from: DANC 004 or 025
    c. One Dance Studies elective course
5. Three .5 credit Repertory/Ensemble courses* (DANC 049A-K)
The above credits must represent three different dance or movement forms. 
6. Four .5 credit Studio Practice courses* (DANC 040-078, not including DANC 049A-K)
The above credits must represent three different dance or movement forms. 
7. DANC 094. Senior Project
Total credits for Major – Choreography focus: 10

*Although Studio Practice and Repertory/Ensemble courses can be repeated for credit, a student can only apply a course once towards the Major requirements. 
** Students with advanced placement (determined by a portfolio review by the Chair and Dance Faculty) may fulfill this requirement by taking DANC 012. Dance Lab II: Making Dance and DANC 013. Dance Lab III: Making Dance.
Note: Majors with a focus in Choreography are also strongly encouraged to enroll in THEA 003. Fundamentals of Design for Theater Performance and THEA 004B. Lighting Design. 

October 2022: These requirements apply to the classes of 2024 and above. Students in the class of 2024 may choose to follow the guidelines in the 2021-2022 College Bulletin or these requirements.