Dance Minor

The minor in dance is designed to provide basic foundational courses in dance technique as well as more advanced training. The minor is open to all students who would like to begin dance training, and/or maintain and augment previous dance training. It will also serve as the dance training foundation for Bachelor of Music - Musical Theatre in Performance majors. Enrollment in some advanced level technique classes may require instructor permission.

Performing Arts Education (PAE) Pathway for Maine K12 Teacher Certification

For those who want to teach Dance and/or Theatre in Maine k12 schools, the Department of Theatre, in partnership with the Department of Art, offers a Performing Arts Education (PAE) pathway which results in a Maine k12 state teaching certificate for dance or theatre.

The Performing Arts Education (PAE) Pathway will prepare USM students, already majoring or minoring in theatre or dance, to teach dance or theatre in Maine schools serving grades K-12. Students completing this pathway will be recommended for Maine DOE Certification.

Program Requirements

The minimum number of credits required of the minor: 18 (eight credits of Technique, seven required credits [DAN 190 - Rehearsal & Production , DAN 208 - Choreography , & DAN 410 - Student Dance Project ], and three credits of dance electives). To receive the minor in dance, grades of C or better are required in all Dance courses.

Technique:

A minimum of four courses (8 credits), one of which must be at the 200-level, from the following:

*By placement audition or permission of the department.

DAN 101 - Contemporary Dance I Credits: 2
DAN 102 - Ballet I Credits: 2
DAN 103 - Jazz Dance I Credits: 2
DAN 104 - Tap Dance I Credits: 2
DAN 105 - Musical Theatre Styles I Credits: 2
DAN 180 - Topics in Technique Credits: 2
DAN 201 - Contemporary Dance II Credits: 2
DAN 202 - Ballet II Credits: 2
DAN 203 - Jazz Dance II Credits: 2
DAN 204 - Tap Dance II Credits: 2
DAN 205 - Musical Theatre Styles II Credits: 2

Required courses:

Every minor must take the following three courses (7 credits):

DAN 190 - Rehearsal & Production Credits: 0.5
Students must complete two semesters (1 credit total) of DAN 190
DAN 208 - Choreography Credits: 3
DAN 410 - Student Dance Project Credits: 3

Electives:

Every minor must take a minimum of one course (3 credits) from the following:

DAN 188 - Anatomy of Movement Credits: 3
DAN 266 - The Art of Dance Credits: 3
DAN 280 - Topics in Dance Credits: 3
DAN 305 - Dance and Health Credits: 4
MUH 325 - The History of Musical Theatre in America Credits: 3