Learning Objectives

Goals for undergraduate dance education

The aim of the dance major is to develop students who are sensitive and articulate physical and verbal communicators of the visual art of dance; who are proficient in the analysis of dance in its cultural manifestations, leading them beyond knowledge of a culture to an understanding and celebration of difference; and who are flexible, creative thinkers able to perceive, examine and evaluate different points of view.

Student learning objectives of the major

The learning objectives for the major are consonant with the general philosophy of Trinity College of Arts & Sciences and with the departmental goals outlined above. Majors should develop an understanding of the basic principles of choreography and performance, movement analysis, research methodologies and dance theory, and will be introduced to some of the major world dance genres, both Western and non-Western.

1. Majors will develop an understanding of the artistic and technical elements of physical expression that lead to performance artistry, and will attain and/or maintain a technical proficiency, based on sound kinesiological principles, at the high intermediate level of at least two of the following techniques: modern dance, ballet, African, jazz.

2. Majors will develop a proficiency in reading the body as text, specifically as cultural text. One of the fundamental tenets of the major is that the observation and analysis of dance in its cultural context is central to the study of cultures and a vital aspect of exploration in cross-cultural inquiry.

3. Majors will develop an understanding of the basic principles of choreography, specifically the following. They will develop an ability to structure original abstract ideas and to create movement to express them in powerful original work. They will develop an analytic insight into the structure, use of metaphor and creative choice making involved in choreography.

4. Majors will develop a reflective and critical awareness of the research methodologies available in the specialized fields in Dance Studies. These include such specialized fields as dance theory, history, ethnography, education, choreography and practice, and dance therapy.

Expected outcome levels

Dance faculty meet at the end of every academic year to discuss the outcome of the capstone projects and the distinction projects of students who have undertaken them. We assess that we are reaching the goals for the program if 75% of majors receive the Grade of A- or above in 199S: Dance Research and Methods; and if 75% of majors receive the Grade of A or above in 200T or 200AT: Senior Project. The other 25% need to receive a passing grade of C or above. Re. Distinction projects, we are reaching the goals for the program if 67% of students undertaking them receive a grade of A- or above and the remaining 33% receive a passing grade of C or above. Grades are determined using the methods detailed in section IV A above.