Distinction in Dance

    Pre-requisites

    • Graduation major in dance
    • G.P.A. of 3.25 or higher in dance courses

    Successful completion of one of the following projects:

    1. Thesis – To be written under Independent Research 398. An oral defense of the thesis must be completed before the department faculty. The dance faculty advisor will be selected by the student and the Dance faculty based on his/her expertise in the subject matter of the thesis.
    2. Choreography – To be created under Independent Research 398. The composition must be for a large group or small ensemble of dancers and must be performed. In addition, a written review of the choreographic process must be submitted to the dance faculty. The dance faculty advisor will be selected by the student and the Dance faculty based on his/her expertise in the subject matter.
    3. Performance – A concert of performance works will be created under Independent Research 398. In addition, a written review of the performance process must be submitted to the dance faculty. The dance faculty advisor will be selected by the student and the Dance faculty based on his/her expertise in the subject matter.
    4. Project -A project to be created under Independent Research 398 which explores dance/movement beyond a performance setting linking it into other fields, disciplines, community bases. Dance/movement must be the propelling component of the project. The dance faculty advisor will be selected by the student and the Dance faculty based on his/her expertise in the subject matter.

    Deadlines

    1. A letter of proposal to apply for distinction must be filed with the dance faculty by May 15th of the year preceding the student’s graduation. This letter will include a description of the project and a thorough explanation of why the applicant would like to do this project.
    2. A detailed application must be filed with the dance faculty by September 21 of the academic year in which the student expects to graduate.
    3. The thesis, performance, choreography or other project will be due in sufficient time for the faculty to examine the candidate and make its decision by May 1 of the studentâs graduation year.
    4. Final approval or disapproval of distinction will be decided by the faculty by May 1 of the spring in which the student plans to graduate and notification will go to the Registrar by that deadline.

    Criteria for Judging Work Presented

    Faculty will be guided by the Catalogue statement, which reads:

    “Department Distinction is awarded to students who have the qualities most valued in their discipline. The definitive criterion is the student’s demonstrated ability to produce independent work of the highest scholarly or artistic standard consonant with his or her training.”