Bachelor of Arts in Dance

The Dance program offers a four-year undergraduate program leading to a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree. Students have the opportunity to develop and hone dance technique that offers both experiential and theoretical dance education. A variety of dance genres and subjects are at the core of the degree, presenting students with the opportunity to study Ballet, Modern, Jazz, and Tap as well as World Dance, Choreography, Dance History, and Dance Criticism. While emphasis is on technique and theory, performance and production opportunities, on and off campus, allow students to fully immerse themselves and experience the creative process that Dance has to offer. The program works to enrich the overall dance education of the student instilling the importance and contributions that Dance has to offer and its place within our culture and society. Major Learning Goals Upon competition of the BA in Dance, students will be able to: Identify and work conceptually with the elements of dance in a variety of dance genres Understand the choreographic processes, aesthetic properties of style, and the ways these shape and are shaped by artistic and cultural ideas and contexts Appreciate a wide selection of dance repertory, the principal eras, genres, and cultural sources Develop and defend critical evaluations Demonstrate a fundamental knowledge of the body and of kinesiology as applicable to work in dance Show an understanding of procedures for realizing a variety of dance styles Perform basic through advanced dance techniques within the student’s area of interest Exhibit knowledge and/or skills in one or more areas of dance beyond basic coursework and performance appropriate to the individual’s needs and interests, and consistent with the goals and objectives of the specific liberal arts degree program being followed Understand the place of dance as an art form and educational tool within a social context, globally and on the national level Career Profile Recent graduates of the WVU Dance Program have gone on to pursue careers in dance through graduate school, the professional dance field and theatre. Others have taken their WVU dance education to pursue different disciplines and vocations, such as journalism, law, health and physical education. Students have also attended summer intensive programs around the country and have studied abroad.