Dance Theory and Composition OpenCourseWare: MIT's Free Bachelor Level Class on Contemporary Dance
'Dance Theory and Composition' introduced students to the art of Contemporary Dance and taught them how to express themselves using the human body as an artistic medium. This Contemporary Dance class, an OpenCourseWare offering through the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, was part of the curriculum for a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Theater Arts.
Dance Theory and Composition: Course Specifics
| Degree Level | Free | Audio | Video | Downloads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lectures/Notes | Study Materials | Tests/Quizzes |
|---|---|---|
| No | Yes | No |
Dance Theory and Composition: Course Description
MIT Professor Thomas DeFrantz offered this Music and Theater Arts workshop on Dance Theory to teach students how to explore new movements while focusing on breath control, directing energy and balance. Students were encouraged to practice movements in silence, with rhythm, with music and finally with original music and composition. Assignments guided students in blending text and gestures into rhythmic dance. The course emphasized that students should properly build strength, stretch and exercise before starting any dance routine. As part of 'Dance Theory and Composition,' MIT students developed and presented four short compositions while maintaining an instructor-directed journal of their semester's journey. This was not a beginning class, and students needed some background in dance.
This OpenCourseWare includes assignment guidelines and video presentations of past students' work. If you are interested in this contemporary dance course, please visit this dance composition and theory course page.
Featured School Choices:
-
University of Florida
University of Florida responds quickly to information requests through this site.
More information about University of Florida
-
Cornell University
Cornell University responds quickly to information requests through this site.
More information about Cornell University
-
New York University
New York University responds quickly to information requests through this site.
More information about New York University
-
The University of Alabama
The University of Alabama responds quickly to information requests through this site.
More information about The University of Alabama
-
University of Iowa
University of Iowa responds quickly to information requests through this site.
More information about University of Iowa
-
Northwestern University
Northwestern University responds quickly to information requests through this site.
More information about Northwestern University