USC Kaufman School of Dance
Courses of Instruction
dance (danc)
The terms indicated are expected but are not guaranteed. For the courses offered during any given term, consult the Schedule of Classes.
DANC 181ab Modern Dance (2-2, FaSpSm) a: Techniques of modern dance; elements of dance composition. b: Advanced techniques of modern dance; elements of choreography and production. (Duplicates credit in former THTR 181ab.)
DANC 182ab Advanced Modern Dance (2-2, FaSpSm) a: A continuing study of modern dance skills toward an advanced level of competency. b: Advanced technique and composition. (Duplicates credit in former THTR 182ab.)
DANC 183abcd Ballet (2-2-2-2, FaSpSm) a: Beginning techniques of classical ballet consisting of basic barre and center work; basic body and arm positions, port de bras, allegro and elementary adagio. b: Intermediate techniques of classical ballet with intermediate barre, adagio, allegro combinations and pirouettes; development of a working knowledge of ballet terminology. c: Advanced techniques of classical ballet; emphasis on clarity and precision with execution of movement. Study of beats, tours, advanced adagio and allegro, grand combinations, pointe-work. d: Elementary to intermediate level ballet technique en pointes for women and men; conditioning and barre exercises; variations from classical and modern ballets. (Duplicates credit in former THTR 183abcd.)
DANC 184abc Jazz Dance (2-2-2, FaSpSm) a: Beginning techniques and practice of jazz dance. b: Continuing study in the techniques of jazz dance. c: Advanced techniques of jazz dance: advanced warm up, rhythmic and isolation exercises, turns and advanced jazz sequences or combinations. (Duplicates credit in former THTR 184abc.)
DANC 185 Hip-Hop Dance (2, max 4, FaSpSm) Elements of Hip-Hop dance, including technique, movement, musical rhythm, tempo and phrasing required to develop the skills needed to perform this unique dance form. (Duplicates credit in former THTR 185.)
DANC 188ab International Style Ballroom Dance (2-2, FaSpSm) Representative ballroom dances: waltz, slow foxtrot, tango, and quickstep. a: Beginning. b: Intermediate. Graded CR/NC. (Duplicates credit in former THTR 188ab.)
DANC 189ab Tap Dance (2-2, FaSpSm) a: Basic tap rhythms developed into elementary dances with progression of time steps and other combinations of sound. b: Continuing study of tap dancing including more complicated rhythmic patterns and combinations; polishing technique; combinations to varied music and introduction to advanced steps and combinations. (Duplicates credit in former THTR 189ab.)
DANC 280 Dance as an Art Form (4, FaSpSm) Gateway to the minor in dance. Concepts of art exemplified in dance; origins and evolution of classic and contemporary dance forms; elements of art criticism applied to dance productions. Required attendance at dance concerts and art exhibits. (Duplicates credit in former THTR 280.)
DANC 282 Activities for Professional Preparation: Dance (1) Fundamental movements and composition in modern and aerobic dance; study of popular social dance forms; teaching and evaluation methodologies; course and class planning. (Duplicates credit in former THTR 282.)
DANC 285L Elements of Dance Production (4) Theoretical aspects of creativity, choreography, accompaniment, dance notation, and production; application in individual and group composition. Lecture, 2 hours; performance laboratory, 6 hours. (Duplicates credit in former THTR 285.)
DANC 380 Historical Approaches to Dance (4) Roles of dance in pre-technological societies; development of classic and romantic ballet from medieval, baroque, and renaissance periods to contemporary forms. (Duplicates credit in former THTR 380.)
DANC 385L Choreography and Performance (4) Aesthetic concepts in dance and related arts; integration of concepts in choreography, performance, and production; philosophical bases of dance criticism; critical analysis of performances. Lecture, 3 hours; performance laboratory, 3 hours. (Duplicates credit in former THTR 385.)
DANC 388 Senior Seminar in Dance (4) Synthesis of principles, philosophy, and history of dance, culminating in senior individual project. (Duplicates credit in former THTR 388.)
DANC 482 Choreography for Television (4) Creative choreography of theatrical dance for television. Emphasis on rhythmic analysis, versatility, composition, notation techniques, and stylizing. (Duplicates credit in former THTR 482.)
DANC 483 Dance Performance (2, max 8, FaSpSm) Preparation, rehearsal, and performance of experimental choreography in main stage repertory. (Duplicates credit in former THTR 483.)
DANC 490x Directed Research (1-12, max 12) Individual research and readings. Open only to juniors and seniors. Not available for graduate credit.
DANC 499 Special Topics (2-4, max 8) Selected topics of current interest.
DANC 590 Directed Research (1-12) Research leading to the master’s degree. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Graded CR/NC.
DANC 599 Special Topics (2-4, max 8) Seminars in selected areas of study.
DANC 790 Research (1-12) Research leading to the doctorate. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Graded CR/NC.