Course Descriptions

110 Ballet 2-3 hours lab, 0.5 - 1 unit
Letter Grade or Credit/No Credit Option
Ballet is a course in traditional ballet technique focusing on correct body alignment and placement through repetition and centre work. The class analyzes, discusses, and critiques the line, design, ballet technique, choreography and dynamics of ballet movements. Ballet fulfills lower division requirements for Dance majors. This course, in combination with Physical Education 110, may be taken four times for credit. (FT) Associate Degree Credit & transfer to CSU and/or private colleges and universities. UC Transfer Course List.

111 Ethnic Dance Forms 1 hour lecture, 3 hours lab, 2 units
Letter Grade or Credit/No Credit Option
Advisory: English 51 and 56, each with a grade of "C" or better, or equivalent, or Assessment Skill Levels W5 and R5.
This course is an introduction to village and country dance traditions within selected cultures. Each tradition is examined in terms of its particular set of techniques, styles and rhythms. Special emphasis is placed on the exploration of movement characteristic of each cultural dance form. This course is not limited to dance majors and minors but majors are encouraged to expose themselves to a variety of cultural dance forms and are expected to learn both parts of partner dances.  (FT) Associate Degree Credit & transfer to CSU and/or private colleges and universities.

120 American Street Dance 2-3 hours lab, 0.5 - 1 unit
Letter Grade or Credit/No Credit Option
Advisory: English 51 and 56, each with a grade of "C" or better, or equivalent, or Assessment Skill Levels W5 and R5. American Street Dance is an introductory course in a variety of established and emerging dance forms including Hip Hop, Funk, Pop, Lock and Fly. Street dance movements, rhythms and styles are explored through dance combinations. This course may be taken four times for credit. (FT) Associate Degree Credit & transfer to CSU and/or private colleges and universities. UC Transfer Course List.

130 Dance Repertoire 2-3 hours lab, 0.5 - 1 unit
Letter Grade or Credit/No Credit Option
Advisory: Dance 110, 135, or 140 or Physical Education 110, 135, or 140 with a grade of "C" or better, or equivalent. Dance Repertoire is designed to introduce the dancer to the choreography of renowned choreographers. This course provides the opportunity for students to learn and perform selected choreography in ballet, modern, jazz, tap and musical Theatre. This course, in combination with Physical Education 130, may be taken four times for credit. Associate Degree Credit & transfer to CSU and/or private colleges and universities. UC Transfer Course List.

135 Jazz Dance 2-3 hours lab, 0.5 - 1 unit
Letter Grade or Credit/No Credit Option
Jazz Dance is a course which explores a variety of jazz dance techniques focusing on the development of coordination, flexibility, balance, strength, correct body alignment and rhythmic perception. Dance combinations are performed to demonstrate technical ability at all skill levels. Jazz Dance fulfills lower division requirements for dance majors. This course, in combination with Physical Education 135, may be taken of four times for credit. (FT) Associate Degree Credit & transfer to CSU and/or private colleges and universities. UC Transfer Course List.

140 Modern Dance 2-3 hours lab, 0.5 - 1 unit
Letter Grade or Credit/No Credit Option
Modern Dance is a course that explores the fundamental concepts and techniques of modern dance includingfloor stretch, center work, locomotor sequences and
dance combinations. The student demonstrates, defines
and performs flexibility, coordination, rhythmic and
dynamic perception, control and strength. The class
critiques, discusses and analyzes line, design,
technique, choreography and dynamic qualities through
lectures, videotapes and concert critiques. Modern
Dance fulfills lower division requirements for dance
majors. This course, in combination with Physical
Education 140, may be taken four times for credit. (FT)
Associate Degree Credit & transfer to CSU and/or
private colleges and universities. UC Transfer Course
List.

177 Dance Improvisation 2-3 hours lab, 0.5 - 1 unit
Letter Grade or Credit/No Credit Option
Advisory: Physical Education 110 or 135 or 140 or Dance 110 or 135 or 140 with a grade of "C" or better, or equivalent.
This course is designed to give students the opportunity to learn beginning and intermediate improvisational dance skills through the use of space, time, dynamics, and motion of body parts. Emphasis is placed on performance ability and technique. The student is involved in a structured dance performance in various situations and progresses to spontaneous movement in group and individual works. This course fulfills lower division requirements for dance majors.
This course, in combination with Physical Education 177, may be taken four times for credit. Associate Degree Credit & transfer to CSU and/or private colleges and universities. UC Transfer Course List.

178 Advanced Contemporary Dance 3 hours lab, 1 unit
Letter Grade or Credit/No Credit Option
Advisory: Physical Education 135 or Dance 135 with a grade of "C" or better, or equivalent.
This course focuses on the movement principles of American dance masters Jack Cole, Bob Fosse, Luigi and Matt Mattox. Instruction includes student performance of various contemporary dance styles for videotaped analysis of technical proficiency. This course, in combination with Physical Education 178, may be taken four times for credit. (FT) Associate Degree Credit & transfer to CSU and/or private colleges and universities. UC Transfer Course List.

179 Advanced Classical Dance 3 hours lab, 1 unit
Letter Grade or Credit/No Credit Option
Advisory: Physical Education 110 or Dance 110 with a grade of "C" or better, or equivalent.
This course focuses on correct advanced body alignment, coordination, flexibility and strength. The class compares, discusses and analyzes the movement principles of the Royal, French, Cecchetti and Russian methods. This course, in combination with Physical Education 179, may be taken four times for credit. (FT) Associate Degree Credit & transfer to CSU and/or private colleges and universities. UC Transfer Course List.

181 Introduction to Dance 3 hours lecture, 3 units
Letter Grade or Credit/No Credit Option
Advisory: English 51 and 56, each with a grade of "C" or better, or equivalent, or Assessment Skill Levels W5 and R5.
Limitation on Enrollment: This course is not open to students with credit for Physical Education 260. Introduction to Dance is designed to give students the opportunity to appreciate the aesthetic foundations of dance as interpreted within Western traditions. The course covers basic techniques of Western dance traditions that foster an awareness of dance as therapy and fitness as well as art and dance in film, video, and live performance. Additionally, students are introduced to dance as the expression of social discourse distinct to historical periods within Western history. Finally, students study the techniques of selected canonical or well known dancers, choreographers and their craft. This course is introductory but prepares both potential performers and scholars with an interest in performance for intermediate studies in dance. (FT) Associate Degree Credit & transfer to CSU and/or private colleges and universities. UC Transfer Course List.

183 Music for Dance 2 hours lecture, 2 units Grade Only
Advisory: Dance 253 or Physical Education 116 with a grade of "C" or better, or equivalent and English 51 and 56, each with a grade of "C" or better, or equivalent, or Assessment Skill Levels W5 and R5.
Music for Dance introduces the fundamentals of music through the study of terminology, notation, elements and form as they relate to movement. The course explores the interrelationship of music and dance and provides students the opportunity to compose and perform rhythmic and movement projects. This course fulfills lower division requirements for dance majors. (FT) Associate Degree Credit & transfer to CSU and/or private colleges and universities. UC Transfer Course List. UC Transfer Course List.

253 Choreography 1.5 hours lecture, 1.5 hours lab, 2 units
Letter Grade or Credit/No Credit Option
Advisory: Physical Education 110 or 135 or 140 or Dance 110 or 135 or 140 with a grade of "C" or better, or equivalent Limitation on Enrollment: This course is not open to students with credit for Physical Education 116. Choreography is a course that explores the theories and elements utilized in the creative process of dance composition. Emphasis is placed on student application of choreographic concepts through the development of movement compositions. This course fulfills lower division requirements for dance majors. (FT) Associate Degree Credit & transfer to CSU and/or private colleges and universities. UC Transfer Course List.

261 Dance Performance 6 hours lab, 2 units Grade Only
Advisory: Physical Education 110 or 135 or 140 or Dance 110 or 135 or 140 with a grade of "C" or better, or equivalent.
Dance Performance provides the opportunity for students to apply intermediate and advanced skills in ballet, jazz and modern dance in preparation for public performance. Emphasis is placed on student application of dance, staging, and performance techniques in a theatrical environment. This course fulfills lower division requirements for dance majors. This course, in combination with Physical Education 129, may be taken four times for credit. (FT) Associate Degree Credit & transfer to CSU and/or private colleges and universities. UC Transfer Course List.

271 Dance Production 3-6 hours lab, 1-2 units
Letter Grade or Credit/No Credit Option
Dance Production explores the technical and management aspects of producing a dance concert. Emphasis is placed on student application of design and construction of costumes, lighting design, makeup application, stage and house management, and publicity. This course fulfills lower division requirements for dance majors. This course, in combination with Physical Education 118, may be taken four times for credit. (FT) Associate Degree Credit & transfer to CSU and/or private colleges and universities.
This discipline may offer specialized instruction in one or more of the following areas: Supervised Tutoring (044), Special Topics (265), Independent Study (290), Individualized Instruction (296), Service Learning (277), Applied Applications and Software Skills (045L), or Work Experience (270). Detailed course descriptions are listed on page 96. Please refer to the class schedule and/or see the dean or department chair for availability.