Department of Theatre and Dance
College of Arts and Sciences
285 Alumni Arena
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-5030
(716) 645-6898
Fax: (716) 645-6992
S. Henderson, Chair
T. J. Crehan, Codirector, Dance
T. Ralabate, Codirector, Dance; Assistant to the Chair, Dance
Molly Casarella, Assistant to the Chair; Undergraduate Advisor
The Department of Theatre and Dance offers B.A. and B.F.A. degrees and a minor in dance.
Prospective majors or minors should meet with the director of dance and the undergraduate advisor as early as possible. All dance courses have outside reading and writing requirements, attendance requirements, and written practical examinations. A placement audition is required.
For students with prior training, course requirements may be adjusted based on placement auditions. If lower-level courses are waived, additional courses may be assigned. This policy applies to all majors and minors.
For information about the Department of Theatre and Dance, please see Theatre, Dance, Music Theatre.
111 Body Movement I (3)
Prerequisite: permission of instructor
Development of movement awareness through body-mind
exercises and basic technique. Emphasis on space, energy, and time in movement; for
nondancers. LEC/LAB
201-202 Beginning Contemporary Dance I-II (3-3) (F; Sp)
Prerequisite: THD201 is prerequisite for
THD202
Foundations course in basic movement concepts of
time, space and energy, with emphasis on technical development and creative exploration.
LEC/LAB
210-211 Beginning Tap Dance I-II (2-2) (F; Sp)
Prerequisites: one year of dance or
permission of instructor; THD210 is prerequisite for THD211
Fundamentals of tap dance, including basic rhythmic
structure and incorporation of dance fundamentals, such as alignment and style, in
conjunction with tap technique. LEC/LAB
213-214 Beginning Ballet I-II (2-2) (F; Sp)
Prerequisite: THD213 is prerequisite for
THD214
Fundamentals of ballet technique, including correct
body alignment, basic barre and center work, and combinations at the elementary level.
LEC/LAB
263-264 Modern Jazz Dance I-II (2-2) (F; Sp)
Prerequisite: THD263 is prerequisite for THD264; permission of instructor
Jazz forms: barre and center work emphasizing relationship to lineage-based societies, classical, contemporary, rock, and popular dance. LAB/LEC
300-301-302-303 Beginning Pointe (1-1-1-1) (Sp)
Prerequisite: permission of instructor,
open to men and women
Pointe work is an extension of ballet study using a
blocked shoe. Introduction to correct placement and use of the foot on pointe. SEM/LAB
310-311 Intermediate Tap I-II (2-2) (F; Sp)
Prerequisite: THD211 or permission of
instructor; THD310 is a prerequisite for THD311
Expands the tap dancer’s movement, vocabulary,
and historical understanding of this dance form. Special emphasis on the aural, visual,
and expressive elements of tap dance. SEM/LAB
330 Creative Movement (2) (Sp)
Prerequisite: permission of instructor
Classwork explores creative problem solving,
mind-body integration, and the creative process in movement using simple through
increasingly complex individual and group exercises. Prerequisite for THD441 Choreography
I. SEM/LAB
337-338 Dance Studio—Zodiaque (4-4) (F; Sp)
Prerequisites: permission of instructor,
audition
Performing experience in Zodiaque, the
university's resident dance company. SEM/LAB
340 Dance Studio (1-4) (F; Sp)
Prerequisite: permission of instructor,
audition for StudioWerks Dance Ensemble
Designed to extend the student’s
work in a particular area of interest related to dance production. Possibilities include a
choreographic project, supervision of a workshop production, or promotion and publicity
for a major concert or touring project. The format consists of individual meetings with
the instructor and studio and/or fieldwork, depending on the project’s requirements.
Students in StudioWerks Dance Ensemble also register under this course number. SEM
341-342 Intermediate Ballet I-II (3-3) (F; Sp)
Prerequisite: THD214 or permission of
instructor; THD341 is a prerequisite for 342
Continuation of THD213-214. Technical and artistic
ballet skills are extended through increasingly complex combinations, introduction of
technical vocabulary, and emphasis on style and presentation. LEC/LAB
345-346 Intermediate Contemporary Dance I-II (3-3) (F; Sp)
Prerequisite: THD202 or permission of
instructor; THD345 is a prerequisite for 346
Continuation of THD201-202. Expansion of technique
and theory through increasingly complex combinations, movement analysis, introduction of
new technical vocabulary, and style and presentation. LAB/SEM
354 Teaching Methods in Dance (2)
Prerequisites: two of the following
courses: THD341-342, THD345-346, THD371-372, and permission of instructor
Designed for upper-level dance students interested
in expanding their knowledge and practical experience in preparation for a career in the
field of dance education. Includes lesson plan development, injury prevention, and
experience in practical teaching situations. SEM
371-372 Intermediate Jazz Dance I-II (2-2) (F; Sp)
Prerequisite: THD264 or permission of
instructor; THD371 is a prerequisite for THD372
Continuation of THD263-264. Expands the jazz
dancer’s movement and performance vocabulary. Emphasis is placed on classic jazz
style and technique and its relationship to established musical jazz styles. Strong focus
given to classic Matt Mattox technique, combining neuromuscular coordination with
warm-ups, locomotor skills, and combination work. LEC/LAB
378-379 Pas de Deux I-II (F)(1-1)
Prerequisite: permission of instructor
The study of partnering through classical and
contemporary pas de deux. Emphasis on technical and dramatic aspects of partnering,
rhythm, breathing, correct placement, timing, counterbalancing the movements of a partner,
projection, and development of dramatic content through movement using gesturing and line.
SEM/LAB
381-382 Social Dance Forms I-II (2-2) (Sp)
Prerequisite: THD201, THD213 or THD263
Covers the history and performance of
approximately fourteen early and contemporary social dances, including the pavane,
galliard, minuet, waltz, foxtrot, tango, and Latin Caribbean dances. SEM
385 The Male Dancer (1)
Prerequisites: one year of dance,
permission of instructor; open to men and women
The role of the male in dance. Includes character
interpretation, upper-body strength, elevation, pirouettes, and variations from the male
dance repertory. SEM
407-408 Advanced Tap I-II (2-2)
Prerequisites: THD310-311 for THD407,
permission of instructor for THD408
A course extending the tap dancer’s movement
vocabulary. Tap exercises and combinations are integrated with other fields, such as
ballet, jazz, and modern dance. Technique and performance are emphasized. LAB
410-411-412-413 Advanced Contemporary Dance (3-3-3-3) (F)
Prerequisite: permission of instructor
Continuation of THD345-346. Technique and style of
increased difficulty and variety in combinations of extended length; attention to
precision of performance and projection. Studio course. SEM/LAB
415 Mind-Body Integration (3)
A survey of systems of alignment, placement, movement efficiency, and tension reduction. Designed to give developing artists a strong
movement foundation from which to build in their particular disciplines.
Theatre, dance, and music majors are given preference. Nonmajors welcome on a space-available basis. SEM
417-418 Advanced Modern Jazz Dance (2-2) (F; Sp)
Prerequisite: THD372 or permission of
instructor
Continuation of THD371-372. Technique and style of
increased complexity, attention to technical precision, performance, and stylistic
execution. LEC/LAB
421-422 Advanced Ballet (3-3) (Sp)
Prerequisite: permission of instructor
Continuation of THD342. Technique of increased
difficulty, variety, and complexity; attention to precision of execution, performance, and
style. Studio course. LEC/LAB
430 Dance History (3) (F)
Prerequisite: sophomore or above
The creative process in dance from early history to
the present. Includes videos and discussions on dance and related fields. Knowledge of
dance essential. Preference is given to dance, music theatre and theatre majors. LEC
432 Applied Kinesiology and Anatomy for Dancers (3)
Prerequisite: one of the following: THD341,
345, 364, 371, or permission of instructor
The science of motion applied to dance and movement.
In-depth study of the structure and function of the skeletal and muscular systems. LEC
441-442 Choreography I-II (4-4)
Prerequisites: THD330 for 441; THD441,
permission of instructor for THD442
The art and craft of making dances. The study of the elements of dance composition,
including the development of solo and group studies for class presentation. SEM/LAB
475 Internship in Dance Teaching (1-3)
Prerequisites: permission of instructor
Qualified students gain experience as teaching
assistants or teaching interns. SEM/LAB
481-482 Research in Dance (3-3)
Prerequisite: permission of instructor by
prior arrangement
Substantial study and scholarship in dance and
related fields. SEM
491-492 Variations (1-1)
Prerequisite: one semester of THD341 or
THD342
Study and analysis of classical and contemporary
solo dance variations from the works of major choreographers. SEM/LAB
499 Independent Study (1-4)
Prerequisite: by prior arrangement with
instructor
Independent study at undergraduate level. SEM/LAB
113-229-279-367-479 Tutorials in Dance (1-4)
Prerequisite: permission of instructor, audition
For students who require additional study in a particular area. TUT/LAB
Acceptance Criteria for All Departmental Majors
Minimum 2.0 GPA overall; minimum 2.5 GPA in all prerequisite courses
Central curriculum requirements for B.A. and B.F.A. in dance:
Note: When lower-level courses are waived, upper-level courses in the same area will be assigned.
Acceptance Criteria
Required Courses
Additional Requirements
*Students may complete electives within or outside the department.
See "Baccalaureate Degree Requirements" for remaining university requirements.
Required Courses
Additional Requirements
A minimum of 15 credits at 300 level or above, plus a minimum of 27 further credits to
include one semester of each of the following:
Foreign language requirement - 0-16 cr
Proficiency in a foreign language through the second semester of the second year or its
equivalent, to be demonstrated through classroom courses or through alternatives outlined in the General Education Requirements section of the Undergraduate Catalog. (B.F.A. programs are excluded). S/U grading may
not be selected for courses taken to fulfill this requirement.
See "Baccalaureate Degree Requirements" for remaining university requirements.
One course at the appropriate level (determined by audition) from each of the following, with at least one at the 400 level:
Total Required Credit Hours - 24
Total Required Credit Hours - 24
© 2000 University at Buffalo Undergraduate Catalog 2000-2001