Dance

Mission Statment
The Weber State University Dance Area is part of the Department of Performing Arts in the Lindquist College of Arts & Humanities. Its mission aligns with the university Mission Statement emphasizing Access, Learning and Community.

Learning:
- Students work closely with faculty, staff, community and peers in the study of dance techniques, creative process, and history and theory.
- Students develop skills, attitudes and understandings that are key to our art form, and investigate dance’s relationship to other subjects and
- disciplines.
Community:
- Students connect academic coursework and the tight-knit culture of public performance with community engagement. They explore diverse perspectives and collaborate on high-impact projects that harness the power of Dance to impact our lives, our immediate surroundings, and our world.
Access:
- Through regular advisement and scholarship opportunities, students are supported in their efforts to complete their degree, in an environment that supports student expression. The degree provides education for enthusiastic and energetic students to use their passion for the art form to guide their career interests or advanced study choices.
Our students build professional skills through High-Impact Educational Experiences (HIEE):
- Oral communication – creative series, dance education courses, outreach & technique courses
- Written communication – culture, history and theory courses, creative series, & technique courses
- Collaboration/Facilitation – creative series, dance education courses, outreach, and exposure to professionals in the field
- Kinesthetic Understanding/Performance – all courses Digital Literacy & Production – Adobe Creative Suite, iMovie, Final Cut Pro, e-portfolios, lighting/sound/costume foundations basics and performance production
Student Learning Outcomes
- Certificates (Not Applicable)
- Associate Degree
  Students completing the Associate of Arts in Dance will be able to demonstrate the following outcomes:
  - Students will be introduced to dance technique and kinesiology principles in order to improve as dancers and performers.
  - Students will be introduced to the principles of dance theory and criticism in a veriety of settings.
  - Students will begin to encounter the creative process in a variety of settings.
  - Students will begin to discover, express, and gain ownership pf their own point of view about dance.
- Bachelor Degree
  Students completing the Bachelor of Arts in Dance will be able to demonstrate the following outcomes:
  
  Technique/Performance
  - Students will apply dance technique and kinesiology principles to improve as dancers and performers.
  Creative Process
  - Students will engage in the evolving nature of the creative process in many settings.
  Theory/Criticism
  - Students will apply and communicate principles of dance theory and criticism in many settings.
  Meaning/Self-discovery
  - Students will discover, express and gain ownership of their own point of view about dance, to speak the language of dance

The Dance Program's assessment procedure evaluates the progress of courses by assessing one Learning Outcome bienially

Student Learning Outcomes	Assessment Procedure	Assessment 2016-2020
Technique and Performance: Students will apply dance technique, kinesiological principles, and artistry to improve as dancers and performers.	Technique class observations, teaching methods instruction, Dance Kinesiology exams, rehearsal and performance observations.	Ongoing, in relevant classes.
Theory/Criticism: Students will apply and communicate principles of dance theory and criticism in many settings.	Technique class observations, teaching methods instruction, understanding of technique in choreography, rehearsal and performance.	Ongoing, in relevant classes, stage productions and informal presentations.
3. Creative Process: Students will engage in the evolving nature of the creative process in many settings.	Quizzes, exams, journal writing, and paper submissions.	Ongoing, in relevant class examinations, quizzes, papers, journal entries and presentations.
4. Meaning/Self Discovery: Students will discover, express and gain ownership of their own point of view about dance.	Observed through the choreography course sequence (Improvisation-Creative Synthesis).	Ongoing in relevant classes and twice yearly full-stage productions.

Program and Contact Information

Dance is a beautiful and ancient art form that has blossomed in our nation throughout the last century. Dance majors challenge themselves and grow in many ways: they develop physical and mental discipline, self-expression, ability to work with others, self-confidence, poise, written and oral communication skills, leadership, creativity, and organizational skills. Being in Department of Performing Arts – where dance, music and theatre occur side by side – provides opportunities for dance majors to collaborate with other performing artists in addition to the focus on cross-campus collaboration, interdisciplinary creative research and community engagement. The Dance Area, inside the Department of Performing Arts, provides study in dance technique, performance, creative and academic scholarship. There exist many opportunities for dance students to perform, choreograph and teach both on campus and in the community. Many graduates of the Dance Area are working as artists and educators and some pursue related careers such as physical therapy and arts administrators.

Contact Dance Faculty
Amanda Sowerby
801-626-7674
asowerby@weber.edu

Erik Stern
801-626-6615
estern@weber.edu

Assessment Report Submissions
Program Review

Dance

2021-22 - Conducted Program Review
2019-20
2017
2016
2015

2021-22

2014-15

Dance

2021-22 - Conducted Program Review 2019-20 2017 2016 2015

2021-22 - Conducted Program Review
2019-20
2017
2016
2015