Dance Studies BA Honours

Course content

What will you study on the BA Dance Studies?

You will engage with core of Humphrey-based, Cohan method (Graham-based), Cunningham-based and Release-based dance techniques, which are supplemented by ballet. Additional optional techniques are offered in the form of jazz dance, repertoire and improvisation. Middlesex provides a stimulating environment for you to grow as a versatile practitioner, performing and creating work in our state-of-the-art Dance Theatre, the Arts Depot, North London, and other performance venues.

Our programme is distinguished by the exit award options. The programme divides into BA Dance Studies and BA Dance Studies (Choreography) in the final year. On the BA Dance Studies pathway, you will have the option to take either Dance Technique and Performance or Choreography modules, along with an option between two Research Project strands which focus on your strengths.

On the BA Dance Studies (Choreography) programme, you will focus entirely on your creative work by taking the Choreography modules and writing a Choreographic Research Project.

Our programme also encourages students to fully engage with the London art scene and incorporates theoretical studies including dance history, science of movement and critical theory to underpin the practical work. Students are asked to connect practice and theory to become full dance practitioners, choreographers and artists. The diverse range of theory and practical components expose students to the professional field of dance today. You will develop critical, analytical skills and independent thinking to engage with the discourse of the dance profession. With such a solid foundation, many students move on to our postgraduate programmes to further their interest in dance.

Choreography, practice and performance

Choreography plays a fundamental part in years 1 and 2. As well as developing your creativity, choreography assessments provide students with regular performance opportunities. Daily practical classes in contemporary dance will enable you to develop and hone your technical skills and artistic understanding with a view to dance performance. Performance work is an important part of the curriculum; we boast a brand-new, purpose-built dance theatre, the Grove, which we use for our first and second-year dance student shows. Our final, third-year performance takes place in the Arts Depot, a thriving theatre in north London

Theory

Theory classes play a key role in enhancing students' study and practice by helping them gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the contexts within which dance is embedded. We pride ourselves on combining practical and theoretical approaches to offer a thorough, well-rounded contemporary dance foundation. Although there is more contact time devoted to practical classes than to theory, students are expected to support this with independent study and research. Theory and practice are weighted as equally important when it comes to assessment.

Modules

Year 1

Dance Practices 1 (60 Credits) - Compulsory

Dance Technique, Dance Performance, Choreography: Compositional design, Participatory Arts (Community dance)

This module contains core material paramount to the understanding and practice of dance and is the key foundation for progression of all other modules in Year 2 and 3. You will practice and study the fundamental principles involved in dance technique, composition, performance and dance in participatory arts contexts in the UK. You will establish an awareness of the physical creative complexities involved and how these disciplines can be applied in a broader context.

Dance Studies 1 (30 credits) - Compulsory

Anatomy for Dancers, Dance History

This module will equip you with an understanding of anatomy in relation to the dancing body. You will also deepen your knowledge of the historical and social influences on the arts as well as your independent research and critical thinking.

Dance: Learning in Context (30 Credits) - Compulsory

Arts in London, effective learning skills, seminar presentation, research strategies, written skills

This module will equip you with the knowledge and skills to be an effective learner, with particular relevance to dance and the performing arts. You will be introduced to research, library research/source location, reading and writing skills through different strategies and modes of learning. The module forms the basis for both BA (Hons) Dance Performance and BA (Hons) Dance Studies programmes and sets dance, as artistic expression, into an artistic and academic context.

Year 2

Dance Practices 2 (60 credits) - Compulsory

Dance Technique, Choreography, Dance Analysis

This module aims to extend and develop your level of knowledge and understanding in dance technique, choreography and performance acquired in the Dance Practices 1 and the Learning in Context module, enabling you to identify, contextualise, analyse and interpret key issues relating to professional repertoire in order to enhance your knowledge and appreciation of dance. The module is designed to encourage a balanced and holistic approach to the study of Dance by establishing and reiterating logical connections between practice, composition and theory.

Dance Studies 2 (30 credits) - Compulsory

Critical Studies, Science of Movement

This module aims to deepen the knowledge gained in both components of the Dance Studies 1 module. You will explore how issues of cultural and philosophical relevance can usefully illuminate contemporary dance theory and practice. Science of Movement allows students to develop their understanding of the moving body, introducing postural and movement analysis in relation to dance performance. It will prepare students for the Dance Science Research Project, the Independent Research Project and the Choreography Research Project modules in Year 3.

Jazz Dance (30 credits) - Optional

This module aims to further develop practical dance and performance skills in relation to the specific stylistic demands, conventions, and principles within the jazz dance genre. This module works alongside dance technique, performance and choreography, developing your versatility, through focusing on the application of complementary technique and performance skills specific to diverse jazz techniques and styles.

Improvisation(30 credits) - Optional

This module will explore the breadth of improvisation as a discipline both as a mode of development in creative dance making and as a principle of performance. Focus will be given to key methodologies such as Contact Improvisation, Action Theatre, and Authentic Movement. In addition, the module will highlight the creative possibilities such as task setting and the use of scores towards the development of a choreographic lexicon. This module will serve to support choreography as part of the Dance Practices 2 module, release technique, and performance practice.

Repertoire (30 credits) - Optional

This module will provide, through practical experience, an artistic understanding of selected contemporary dance repertoire to allow you to form cohesive links with theoretical areas covered in dance history, critical studies and composition and the physical and stylistic aspects of dance technique. You will gain experience of learning from and rehearsing under a professional director and get the opportunity to develop your discipline with regards to self-directed practice, as this is an essential part of the learning process.

Year 3

Choreography 1 - Choreography Pathway (30 Credits) - Optional

Dance on Screen, New Technologies, Live Practice, Research Portfolio

This module aims to develop choreographic skills and depth of approach through direct and intense experience with artists in the profession. This will encompass a range of models in regard to presentation including site work, installation formats and dance for screen. The aims are to encourage dialogue with professional choreographers and to deepen understanding of the inter-relationship between dance and other elements. In addition, the purpose is to introduce concepts, practices and theories relating to varied choreographic strands and to widen knowledge and perspectives in current theory and practice of choreography.

This module is compulsory for those wishing to exit with BA (Hons) Dance Studies (Choreography).

Choreography 2 - Choreography Pathway (30 Credits) - Optional

Collaboration, Final Chorographic Presentation and Evaluation

This module will enable you to develop research in collaboration with other disciplines such as music, architecture, fine art or art and design, to facilitate your autonomy in research, invention and planning of potential choreographic projects. You will further develop knowledge and understanding of the range and diversity of contemporary professional choreographic practice. This module aims to deepen choreographic investigation, foster independence in dance making and to encourage dialogue with other artists.

Dance Technique - Performance Pathway (30 credits) - Optional

Dance techniques and technique evaluation

This module will provide, through study and practice, a depth of knowledge of dance techniques. You will acquire increased technical, stylistic and interpretative abilities through further development of the dance techniques encountered in Year 2.

Dance Performance - Performance Pathway (30 credits) - Optional

Dance Performance: repertoire/new work, performance evaluation

This module will provide through study and practice a depth of knowledge of choreographic works from the modern/contemporary dance genre. You will acquire increased technical, stylistic and interpretative abilities through participation in either new or recreated dance works. You will have the opportunity to investigate, develop and apply varying rehearsal techniques. The module draws upon tutors' professional performance, directional and/or choreographic experience.

Applied Professional Practice (30 credits) - Compulsory

Overview of subfields within the dance profession, with optional choice of components.

On this module, you will gain an awareness of career paths in dance, especially those outside the routes of choreography and performance. The module will cover a range of professional areas, providing information on opportunities for employment and skills required for navigating a journey through the dance profession in the UK. You will also gain a grasp of funding structures and an overview of the dance ecology that supports dance and the performing arts in the UK. This module allows students to step outside of the safety of university life and make vital links both in research and practice with the wider dance profession. Students will then have a choice of one component out of three possible strands: a) The Teaching Dance Technique component aims to provide experiential understanding of the teaching of contemporary dance technique through study and practice. b) The Work Placement component will provide first-hand experience of a UK dance/arts organisation along with an opportunity to reflect on that experience: c) Dance Criticism aims to develop the journalistic side of theatre practices in giving students the opportunity to foster their written skills.

Independent Research Project (30 credits) - Optional

The module aims to equip you with the skills, methods and procedures to enable you to research and present a major, individually chosen, designed and managed research project. It will draw upon the research and study skills acquired in previous modules such as include library searches, data analysis, academic writing, argumentation, critical thinking, discussion skills, analysis and scholarly presentation as appropriate for the chosen topic.

Dance Science Research Project (30 credits) - Optional

This module aims to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and methods required to research and present an individually chosen, designed and managed dance science related research project. It will extend and develop knowledge gained from anatomy and science of movement components, and build upon the research and study skills acquired in previous modules such as library searches, observational analysis, data collection, critical thinking, discussion skills, and scholarly presentation, as appropriate for the chosen topic.

Choreography Research Project (30 credits) - Compulsory for exit award BA (Hons) Dance Studies (Choreography)

The module aims to equip you with the skills, methods and procedures to enable you to research and present a major, individually chosen, designed and managed choreography research project. It will draw upon the research and study skills acquired in previous modules such as library searches, data analysis, academic writing, argumentation, critical thinking, discussion skills, analysis and scholarly presentation as appropriate for the chosen topic.

You can find more information about this course in the programme specification. Optional modules are usually available at levels 5 and 6, although optional modules are not offered on every course. Where optional modules are available, you will be asked to make your choice during the previous academic year. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, or there are staffing changes which affect the teaching, it may not be offered. If an optional module will not run, we will advise you after the module selection period when numbers are confirmed, or at the earliest time that the programme team make the decision not to run the module, and help you choose an alternative module.