Introduction

Course Offerings

Class Schedule

Audition Information

Theater & Performance
Studies Major

Theater & Performance
Studies Minor

Dance & Performance
Studies Major

Dance & Performance
Studies Minor

Frequently Asked Questions

Student Advisor

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DANCE AND PERFORMANCE STUDIES MAJOR

For academic questions and class schedule planning, please see Undergraduate Advisor Michael Mansfield in 101 Dwinelle Annex, (510) 643-4050, ugprograms@theater.berkeley.edu. He is available Monday through Friday, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

For additional advice and resources in the Dance and Performance Studies Major, see Undergraduate Faculty Dance Advisor Lisa Wymore in 231 Dwinelle Annex, (510) 642-3982, lisawymore@berkeley.edu.

Declaring the Major

We recommend you declare the major after passing one Modern Dance course (technique at any level) in the Department and one Performance Studies course (52AC or 25AC). Transfer students determine if previous courses will transfer into the major by bringing unofficial transcripts and course descriptions to Michael. Having said that, it is rare to transfer credits from other institutions into the major because comparable courses are seldom found. Since your degree will be from the Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies Department, expect that most of your coursework for your major will be done here in the Department.

Come fill out a Petition to Declare a Major at 101 Dwinelle Annex with Michael.

•  The major requires a total of 30 upper division units.
•  All major requirements must be completed with at least a C- grade.
•  It is expected that students will maintain a 2.0 GPA in their studies at UCB.
•  Courses must be taken for a letter grade. The exceptions are those only offered P/NP (ie., 170, 171, 197, 199).   De-Cal courses (198) cannot count toward your 30 upper division units.
•  Please see the Department's Undergraduate Handbook for further information.

Requirements:

Lower Division

Dance
- 40A/B Beginning Modern Dance Technique (1-1)
- 60 Stagecraft (3/4)   (this course includes a lower division participation in a production)

Performance Studies
- 26 Introduction to Performance Studies (4)
- One of the following two courses:
* 52AC Reflections of Gender, Culture, and Ethnicity in American Dance (3)
* 25AC The Drama of American Cultures (4)

Upper Division

Dance
Technique
After declaring the major, students are required to take a technique course each semester.   
141 A/B Intermediate Modern Dance Technique (1-1)
142 A/B Advanced I Modern Dance Technique (1-1)
143 A/B Advanced II Modern Dance Technique (1-1)

Choreography Courses
144 Sources of Movement or 114 Performance Workshop (3)
145 Music Resources for Dancers (3)
146A Choreography (3) (pre-requisite 144 or 114) and (145 or concurrent with it)

Participation
Four upper division participations from any of these courses listed below:
•  Dance Performance - 180, 146A/146B (1 unit), 149 BARD
•  Theater Laboratory - 170, 172, 175A/B, 176, 179
•  Theater Performance - 171 (except Audition Prep), 181, 196 (directing)
•  Performance - C183C - if public performance given Start working on participation requirements early. Decide by the 5 th week and see advisor. Each participation counts as one participation no matter how many units the student receives (with the exception of 170 which counts as one participation per unit enrolled).

Electives
Upper division courses can focus on choreography, dance analysis, movement improvisation, repertory and production, performance studies, or some combination of classes taken in the Department. Independent Studies, teaching a De-Cal Course, Honors Projects, Internships, and 196 Projects count as part of your elective coursework. A maximum of 8 units may be transferred into the major from other departments or other 4-year colleges. Other courses may be approved after being petitioned to the advisor. Most people do not need courses from this category to fulfill their 30 upper division units for the major.

Performance Studies
Performance Studies
Four courses with at least one course in three of the following distribution areas: