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
- 2021-2022
- 2019-2020
- 2017
  1) Based on your program’s assessment findings, what subsequent action will your program take?
  - The Dance faculty are pleased with our ongoing assessment procedures and the focus it brings to the teaching protocols in our program. Throughout the assessment process we continually find ways to make our curriculum and its’ implementation more efficient and effective. In doing so we see the fruits of our labors in the increased proficiency of our students and in our overall program outcomes. In all areas (most specifically technique, composition, and pedagogy) dance faculty observe a rise in skill level, competency, and personal investment. The Dance Area will maintain focus on our learning outcomes by continually referring back to these goals in all of our teaching endeavors. We also focus on providing our students an open and safe learning environment where they thrive in both their scholarly and creative pursuits. Lastly, we are in the midst of creating the self-study for accreditation with the National Associations on Schools of Dance. Evaluation site team is scheduled for March 2018.
  2) We are interested in better understanding how departments/programs assess their graduating seniors or graduate students. Please provide a short narrative describing the practices/curriculum in place for your department/program. Please include both direct and indirect measures employed. Finally, what were your findings from this past year’s graduates?
  - The Dance Program requires courses in both the Bachelors of Art in Dance and the Bachelor of Art/Bachelor of Science in Dance Education that assess graduating seniors for readiness in the field as professional artists and educators. DANC 4700; Creative Synthesis is the senior capstone for both degree offerings and requires the formation of thesis committee members to mentor students through both creative and scholarly research projects. In addition, DANC 4610; Dance and Digital Technology prepares dance artists and educators to effectively employ technology for creative, pedagogical and professional pursuits. The creation of an electronic portfolio also readies students to begin marketing themselves for job placement upon graduation.
  The full report is available.
- 2016
  1) Based on your program’s assessment findings, what subsequent action will your program take?
  - The Dance faculty are pleased with our ongoing assessment procedures and the focus it brings to the teaching protocols in our program. Throughout the assessment process we continually find ways to make our curriculum and its’ implementation more efficient and effective. In doing so we see the fruits of our labors in the increased proficiency of our students and in our overall program outcomes. In all areas (most specifically technique, composition, and pedagogy) dance faculty observe a rise in skill level, competency, and personal investment. The Dance Area will maintain focus on our learning outcomes by continually referring back to these goals in all of our teaching endeavors. We also focus on providing our students an open and safe learning environment where they thrive in both their scholarly and creative pursuits. Lastly, we have begun accreditation procedures with the National Associations on Schools of Dance. Completion dates is anticipated for spring 2018.
  2) We are interested in better understanding how departments/programs assess their graduating seniors. Please provide a short narrative describing the practices/curriculum in place for your department/program. Please include both direct and indirect measures employed.
  - The Dance Program requires courses in both the Bachelors of Art in Dance and the Bachelor of Art/Bachelor of Science in Dance Education that assess graduating seniors for readiness in the field as professional artists and educators. DANC 4700; Creative Synthesis is the senior capstone for both degree offerings and requires the formation of thesis committee members to mentor students through both creative and scholarly research projects. In addition, DANC 4610; Dance and Digital Technology prepares dance artists and educators to effectively employ technology for creative, pedagogical and professional pursuits. The creation of an electronic portfolio also readies students to begin marketing themselves for job placement, or graduate studies, upon completion.
  The full report is available for viewing.
- 2015
  1) Reflecting on this year’s assessment(s), how does the evidence of student learning impact your faculty’s confidence in the program being reviewed; how does that analysis change when compared with previous assessment evidence?
  - The Dance faculty are pleased with our ongoing assessment procedures and the focus it brings to the teaching protocols in our program. Throughout the assessment process we continually find ways to make our curriculum and its’ implementation more efficient and effective. In doing so we see the fruits of our labors in the increased proficiency of our students and in our overall program outcomes. In all areas, most especially technique, composition, and pedagogy, dance faculty observe a rise in skill level, competency, and personal investment.
  2) With whom did you share the results of the year’s assessment efforts?
  - Dance faculty and Chair of the Department of Performing Arts.
  3) Based on your program’s assessment findings, what subsequent action will your program take?
  - The Dance Area will maintain focus on our learning outcomes by continually referring back to these goals in all of our teaching endeavors. We also focus in providing our students an open and safe learning environment where they thrive in both their scholarly and creative pursuits.
  The full report is available for viewing.
- 2014
- 2013
  1) Reflecting on this year’s assessment(s), how does the evidence of student learning impact your faculty’s confidence in the program being reviewed; how does that analysis change when compared with previous assessment evidence?
  - The Dance faculty are pleased with our ongoing assessment procedures and the focus it brings to the teaching protocols in our program. Throughout the assessment process we continually find ways to make our curriculum, and its’ implementation, more efficient and effective. In doing so we see the fruits of our labors in the increased proficiency of our students and in our overall program outcomes. In all areas, most especially technique, composition and pedagogy, dance faculty observe a rise in skill level, competency and personal investment.
  2) With whom did you share the results of the year’s assessment efforts?
  - Dance faculty and Chair of the Department of Performing Arts.
  3) Based on your program’s assessment findings, what subsequent action will your program take?
  - The Dance Area will maintain focus on our learning outcomes by continually referring back to these goals in all of our teaching endeavors. We also focus in providing our students an open and safe learning environment where they thrive in both their scholarly and creative pursuits.
  Select this link to see the full report: Dance 2013 Annual Assessment
Program Review