The Duke Dance Program curriculum is designed to encourage the exploration of dance from interdisciplinary perspectives: historical, cultural, aesthetic, literary, technological, musical, scientific and creative. Students are able to customize their undergraduate dance curriculum by choosing one of the three study concentrations. At Duke, you will come to understand dance as a much more than a dance style or technique. Our curriculum allows you to explore dance expression from a historical and cultural perspective, and gain modern professional skills--whether your interests lie on the stage, behind it, or elsewhere. You can customize your course makeup, engage in undergraduate research and independent study, and explore the arts scene through study away programs such as Duke Arts in New York. Human Movement in its Cultural Context We believe the study of dance is an essential tool for understanding humanity. We teach 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. A culture's values are embodied (literally and figuratively) in its dance forms, and for most civilizations of the world, dance is one of the most important expressions of their world-view. For example, dance—as a concentrated physical behavior—distills both historical and current cultural values. And movement forms illuminate and define gender, forge personal and group identities, and reflect and define political and religious status and aesthetic values.