BFA in Classical Chinese Dance
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Classical Chinese Dance
Fei Tian’s BFA program in classical Chinese dance offers world-class pre-professional intensive and systematic training to develop professional artists of classical Chinese dance. This program is designed to equip its graduates with the knowledge, techniques, and abilities needed to perform, choreograph, or teach classical Chinese dance professionally.
Goals of the program include:
- Prepare students for successful careers in performance, choreography, and/or teaching of classical Chinese dance.
- Help students develop a genuine appreciation for the beauty and depth of classical Chinese dance.
- Nurture in students the integrity and ethicality necessary for building and sustaining a successful professional career.
- Provide students opportunities to gain real-world performance experience, in order to better prepare them for careers related to the field.
The student learning outcomes of the BFA program are:
- To be able to demonstrate professional-level techniques and performance ability in classical Chinese dance.
- To be able to apply principles of dance composition to produce creative works.
- To be able to sustain and forward classical Chinese dance using supportive theoretical knowledge.
The academic requirements for graduation are the successful completion of the degree requirements, as described in Table 11.3, with a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 and a minimum major GPA of 2.5.
Table 11.3 Summary of Degree Requirements for the BFA in Classical Chinese Dance
Degree Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
General Education (LAS) | 35 |
Major Core | 70 |
Major Concentration | 20 |
Major Electives | 9 |
Total Credits | 134 |
The major core courses include intensive foundational training in the four component areas of classical Chinese dance, as well as training in Chinese ethnic and folk dance styles and the study of well-known dance repertoire. These courses also lay foundational knowledge in areas related to dance performance, including music, dance composition, dance history, and dance science. This major core curriculum equips students with technical and performance skills as well as the knowledge to develop their artistry and enhance their understanding of the profound cultural implications of classical Chinese dance. Table 11.4 details the major core courses. These courses are open only to students majoring in classical Chinese dance.
Table 11.4 Major Core Requirements for the BFA in Classical Chinese Dance (70 credits)
| Course Code | Course Title | Cr | Prerequisites | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAN101R | Fundamentals of Classical Chinese Dance I | 3 | Repeat for a total of 6 credits | |
| DAN201R | Fundamentals of Classical Chinese Dance II | 3 | 6 cr of DAN101R | Repeat for a total of 6 credits |
| DAN301R | Fundamentals of Classical Chinese Dance III | 4 | 6 cr of DAN201R | Repeat for a total of 8 credits |
| DAN401R | Fundamentals of Classical Chinese Dance IV | 4 | 8 cr of DAN301R | Repeat for a total of 8 credits |
| DAN102R | Shen Yun I1 | 1.5 | Repeat for a total of 3 credits | |
| DAN202R | Shen Yun II | 1.5 | 3 credits of DAN102R | Repeat for a total of 3 credits |
| DAN302R | Shen Yun III | 1.5 | 3 credits of DAN202R | Repeat for a total of 3 credits |
| DAN402R | Shen Yun IV | 1.5 | 3 credits of DAN302R | Repeat for a total of 3 credits |
| DAN104R | Chinese Folk and Ethnic Dances I | 1 | Repeat for a total of 2 credits | |
| DAN204R | Chinese Folk and Ethnic Dances II | 1 | 2 cr of DAN104R | Repeat for a total of 2 credits |
| DAN304R | Chinese Folk and Ethnic Dances III | 1.5 | 2 cr of DAN204R | Repeat for a total of 3 credits |
| DAN404R | Chinese Folk and Ethnic Dances IV | 1.5 | 3 cr of DAN304R | Repeat for a total of 3 credits |
| DAN103R | Special Techniques in Chinese Dance I | 1 | Repeat for a total of 2 credits | |
| DAN203R | Special Techniques in Chinese Dance II | 1 | 2 cr of DAN103R | Repeat for a total of 2 credits |
| DAN121 | Performing and Acting | 2 | ||
| MUS110 | Music for Dancers | 3 | ||
| DAN221R | Repertory and Rehearsal I | 1 | Repeat for a total of 2 credits | |
| DAN232 | Mind, Body, and Dance | 2 | ||
| DAN311A | Dance Pedagogy A | 2 | ||
| DAN312A | Choreography A | 2 | ||
| DAN312B | Choreography B | 2 | DAN312A | |
| DAN342 | History of Dance: East and West | 2 |
1 Note: This term is completely distinct from the organization name Shen Yun Performing Arts, despite its being a homophone.
By the beginning of the junior year, students must declare a concentration: Performance and Choreography, Dance Pedagogy, or Dance Production. Major advisors and the department Chair may assist students in making an appropriate choice. The declaration process involves filing a completed declaration form at the Office of Admissions and Records. Tables 11.5, 11.6, and 11.7 list course requirements for the Performance and Choreography concentration, Dance Pedagogy concentration, and Dance Production concentration, respectively.
Table 11.5 Major Concentration Requirements for Performance and Choreography (20 credits)
| Course Code | Course Title | Cr | Prerequisites | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAN321R | Repertory and Rehearsal II | 2 | 2 cr of DAN221R | Repeat for a total of 4 credits |
| DAN421R | Repertory and Rehearsal III | 2 | 4 cr of DAN321R | Repeat for a total of 4 credits |
| DAN412A | Advanced Choreography | 2 | DAN312B | |
| DAN412B | Independent Study in Choreography | 2 | DAN412A | |
| DAN414 | Music Literature in Chinese Dance | 2 | MUS110 | |
| DAN430 | Stagecraft and Dance Production | 2 | Senior class standing | |
| Complete one of the following | ||||
| DAN450 | Research Paper | 4 | Instructor consent | |
| DAN451 | Senior Production | 4 | Instructor consent | |
| DAN455 | Advanced Dance Practicum IV | 4 | Instructor consent |
Table 11.6 Major Concentration Requirements for Dance Pedagogy (20 credits)
| Course Code | Course Title | Cr | Prerequisites | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAN311B | Dance Pedagogy B | 3 | DAN311A | |
| DAN341 | Policies and Standards in Dance Education | 1 | ||
| DAN352 | Classical Chinese Dance Pedagogy – Peer Observation | 2 | Co-requisite: DAN311B | |
| DAN403 | Repertory and Analysis | 2 | Junior class standing | |
| DAN410 | Educational Psychology in Context | 2 | ||
| DAN411 | Dance in Education | 1 | Junior class standing | |
| DAN413 | Principles of Guidance & Pedagogy | 3 | ||
| DAN430 | Stagecraft and Dance Production | 2 | Senior class standing | |
| DAN452 | Dance Teaching Practicum | 4 | DAN311B & 341 |
Table 11.7 Major Concentration Requirements for Dance Production (20 credits)
| Course Code | Course Title | Cr | Prerequisites | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAS272 | Drawing I | 2 | ||
| LAS273 | Drawing II | 2 | LAS272 or SPD111A | |
| SPD212 | Scenic and Set Design I | 3 | LAS273 or SPD111B | |
| SPD213 | Lighting Design and Production I | 3 | SPD212 | |
| SPD327 | Rending and Projection Techniques | 2 | ||
| SPD330 | Stage Management: Concepts and Practice | 3 | ||
| DAN350 | Independent Study in Dance: Production | 1 | Instructor consent | |
| Complete one of the following | ||||
| DAN450 | Research Paper | 4 | Instructor consent | |
| DAN451 | Senior Production | 4 | Instructor consent | |
| DAN455 | Advanced Dance Practicum IV | 4 | Instructor consent |
All BFA students majoring in classical Chinese dance must complete 9 credits of coursework in major or major-related electives. Table 11.8 lists courses approved to satisfy this requirement.
Table 11.8 Major Electives (9 Credits Required)
| Course Code | Course Title | Cr | Prerequisites | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAN155 | Dance Practicum I | 3 | Instructor consent | |
| DAN255 | Dance Practicum II | 3 | Instructor consent | |
| DAN355 | Dance Practicum III | 3 | Instructor consent | |
| DAN350 | Independent Study in Dance | 1-4 | Instructor consent | |
| DAN370 | Internship | 1-3 | Instructor consent | |
| LAS272 | Drawing I | 2 | ||
| LAS273 | Drawing II | 2 | LAS272 or SPD111A | |
| LAS312 | Chinese Calligraphy and Painting | 2 | ||
| MUS102A | Keyboard Skills A | 1 | Music Dept approval required | |
| MUS102B | Keyboard Skills B | 1 | MUS102A | Music Dept approval required |
| MUS111A | Western Music Theory A | 2 | Music Dept approval required | |
| MUS111B | Western Music Theory B | 2 | MUS111A | Music Dept approval required |
Sample BFA graduation plans for each concentration are available at the Office of Academic Services. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisors for individualized graduation planning.