The Dance Studies Certificate is for any undergraduate student interested in the exploration of dance from an interdisciplinary, academic approach — to understand its political, social, and historical significance. The certificate is designed to enhance a student’s main area of study and provide knowledge and skills in the analysis, interpretation, and contextualization of dance and movement in society and culture.
Courses in writing, body studies, history, and theory will prepare students to integrate the physical and theoretical knowledge of dance in written, oral, and embodied forms.
This program was designed for students in a broad range of disciplines including the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Students who wish to integrate dance research into their existing degree program, those considering graduate study in dance studies or a related field in the arts and humanities, including art history, theatre studies, performance studies, or cultural studies, will benefit from this program.
This certificate program is flexible and can be completed primarily through summer coursework. Students can opt to complete the majority of the courses online, primarily in the summers, or through a mix of online and in-person courses in the summers and academic year.
How to Get in
All current UW-Madison undergraduates are eligible to complete the Dance Studies Certificate. BS, BFA, and Certificate candidates in Dance are eligible for the Dance Studies Certificate as long as there is zero overlap of coursework. Undergraduate students in good academic standing may declare this certificate. University Special students who started as an undergraduate at UW-Madison, but graduated before completing the requirements are also eligible for this certificate.
Students should meet with the Dance Studies Certificate Advisor to discuss their intention to pursue the certificate. Appointments may be arranged via email. To declare the certificate, students must also complete the application form location on the School of Education's Certificate Programs page.
Requirements
The Dance Studies Certificate requires the following course distribution for a minimum of 14 credits. At least 7 credits must be completed in residence. Completion of the certificate requires a minimum GPA of 2.0 in certificate coursework.
Foundational Course
All students are required to complete the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DANCE 200 | Writing the Moving Body | 3 |
Body Studies
Select 2 credits from the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DANCE 110 | Workshop in Dance Activity | 1-2 |
| DANCE 101 | Social Dance I | 1 |
| DANCE 102 | Social Dance II | 1 |
| DANCE 103 | Modern Jazz Dance | 1 |
| DANCE 105 | Ballet I | 1 |
| DANCE 106 | Ballet II | 1 |
| DANCE 107 | Contemporary Dance I | 1 |
| DANCE 108 | Contemporary Dance II | 1 |
| DANCE 115 | Hip-Hop Dance Technique and Theory 1 | 1-2 |
| DANCE 118 | African Dance | 1 |
| DANCE 111 | Contemporary Dance Technique and Theory I | 1-3 |
| DANCE 112 | Contemporary Dance Technique and Theory II | 1-3 |
| DANCE 211 | Contemporary Dance Technique and Theory III | 1-3 |
| DANCE 212 | Contemporary Dance Technique and Theory IV | 1-3 |
| DANCE 311 | Contemporary Dance Technique and Theory V | 1-3 |
| DANCE 312 | Contemporary Dance Technique and Theory VI | 1-3 |
| DANCE 410 | Contemporary Dance Forms | 1-3 |
| DANCE 125 | Ballet Technique I | 1-2 |
| DANCE 126 | Ballet Technique I-B | 1-2 |
| DANCE 225 | Ballet Technique II | 1-2 |
| DANCE 226 | Ballet Technique II-B | 1-2 |
| DANCE 325 | Ballet Technique III | 1-2 |
| DANCE 326 | Ballet Technique III-B | 1-2 |
| DANCE 131 | Somatic Theory and Practices | 2 |
| DANCE 132 | Workshop in Body Studies and Practices | 1 |
| DANCE 133 | Relaxation Techniques for Embodiment and Stress Management | 1 |
| DANCE 135 | Pilates Mat I | 1 |
| DANCE 136 | Pilates Equipment I | 2 |
| DANCE 156 | Movement as Material Through Improvisation | 2 |
| DANCE 157 | Introduction to Movement Analysis | 2 |
| DANCE 213 | New Movement Techniques | 1-2 |
| DANCE 231 | Introduction to Dance/Movement Therapy | 3 |
| DANCE 235 | Pilates Mat II | 1 |
| DANCE 236 | Pilates Equipment II | 2 |
| DANCE/AFROAMER/ASIAN AM/FOLKLORE 319 | Afro Asian Improv: From Hip Hop to Martial Arts Fusion | 3 |
| DANCE 330 | Functional Anatomy for Movement Practices | 2 |
Dance Theory
Select 3 credits from the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DANCE 168 | Dancing Gender: Embodiment, Politics and Feminist Theory | 3 |
| DANCE 268 | Political and Cultural Perspectives in Dance Studies | 3 |
Dance History
Select 3 credits from the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DANCE 165 | Introduction to the Histories of Dance | 3 |
| DANCE 265 | Dance History I: Dance in the Modern Era | 3 |
| DANCE 365 | Dance History II: Directions and Issues of Contemporary Dance | 3 |
Ethnic Studies Breadth
Select 3 credits from the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DANCE/ASIAN AM 121 | Asian American Movement | 3 |
| DANCE/AFROAMER/MUSIC 318 | Cultural Cross Currents: West African Dance/Music in the Americas | 3 |
Undergraduate/Special Student Certificate
This certificate is intended to be completed in the context of an undergraduate degree and for those seeking this certificate that is preferred. For students who have substantially completed this certificate at UW–Madison and may need one or two courses to complete the certificate, they may do so immediately after completion of the bachelor’s degree by enrolling in the course as a University Special (nondegree) student. The certificate must be completed within a year of completion of the bachelor’s degree. Students should keep in mind that University Special students have the last registration priority and that may limit availability of desired courses. Financial aid is not available when enrolled as a University Special student to complete an undergraduate certificate.
Learning Outcomes
- Gain understanding of the main approaches and methodologies of the field of dance studies as an academic approach to dance with an interdisciplinary focus.
- Engage with dance as a site through which cultural, social, and political identities are constructed, manifested, and negotiated.
- Analyze dance in relation to the social, cultural, and historical circumstances in which it is embedded.
- Integrate physical and theoretical knowledge of dance in written, oral, and embodied forms.