Dance at SUNY Potsdam allows for a wide variety of combinations of interdisciplinary work in such areas as theatre, music, psychology, community health and business. These combined courses of study prepare students for further investigation and work in such fields as dance therapy, nutrition, fitness, dance ethnology, arts administration and private studio ownership. Students in the major program focus on two tracks: Technique and Composition.

Program Student Learning Outcomes:

Dance B.A. students will be able to:

   • demonstrate a sound foundation in technical principles, functional anatomy, somatic awareness, and expressive artistry-in studio classes and performances.
   • analyze the historical, aesthetic, and social concerns of Western and Non-Western dance forms-through speaking and writing.
   • demonstrate fundamentals of the choreographic process including, but not limited to, movement invention, structure, intention, and collaboration.
   • critically analyze choreography and one’s personal development as a creative artist-through speaking and writing.
 

All courses must be passed with a grade of 2.0 or higher to count towards the major.

The SUNY Potsdam Dance Program is housed in the Department of Theatre and Dance. A Bachelor of Arts degree is available to students who have a strong interest in dance and choose the dance major. Students may also choose to minor in dance, while pursuing another major or a double major. The goals for the B.A. program focus on preparing students for careers in the dance professions as artists and teachers, and to pursue graduate study. We strive to develop dance artists and educators who possess an integrated knowledge of the aesthetic, critical, historical, cultural, choreographic, and performance dimensions of the discipline of dance.

Through our close alignment with the Theatre Program, students broaden their experiences and expand their interests in such areas as acting, technical theatre, and design. Every two-three years the Department of Theatre and Dance joins the Crane Opera Ensemble for a musical production: Cabaret (2002), Working (2004), Urinetown-The Musical (2007), On the Town (2010), Ragtime (2013), and Return to the Forbidden Planet (2016).

Dance at SUNY Potsdam also allows for a wide variety of combinations of interdisciplinary work in such areas as theatre, arts management, music, psychology, community health, archeology, anthropology, history, business, and communication. These combined courses of study prepare students for further investigation and work in such fields as dance therapy, nutrition, fitness, dance ethnology, arts administration, and private studio ownership.

Students in the major program focus on two tracks: Technique and Composition. The dance curriculum is enriched through the study of such topics as improvisation, repertory, Laban Movement Analysis, dance education, history, Pilates-based conditioning, and yoga. Students’ technique levels are determined during a placement class.

Interested students, regardless of major, are also invited to join the Student Government Association organization, Dance Ensemble. Dance Ensemble sponsors student-choreographed productions, travel to the American College Dance Association Conference and other dance events.