Dance Science, BS
Combine your passion for dance with a comprehensive understanding of the moving body.
In our interdisciplinary program, you’ll engage with dance on multiple levels—creatively, intellectually, and physically. Guided by our outstanding faculty and a diverse range of guest artists, you’ll receive conservatory-caliber training in the dance studio alongside laboratory-based courses in biology, chemistry, kinesiology, and somatics. Theory courses in dance will also offer the opportunity to attend shows throughout the Bay Area. Your studies will culminate with a self-generated senior project that demonstrates mastery in your chosen field.
Learn More About the Program
Get to know our well-respected faculty and their specialties, as artists and scholars. Or explore scholarship opportunities and an array of performance possibilities.
Curriculum
At the completion of this program, the student will:
- DEMONSTRATE understanding of the biological workings of the human body and its relevance to human health;
- DESCRIBE the relationship between physical activity, dance, health, wellness and quality of life;
- DISTINGUISH technical terms and theories used in dance studies, influenced by aesthetics, anatomy and science, Somatics, pedagogical and performance theories; and employ this terminology appropriately when discussing and writing about specific works and/or assessing one's practice;
- ANALYZE health, fitness and performance parameters in diverse populations with attention to issues of access, representation, exclusion, and inclusion in the field;
- ENGAGE in critical discourse to explore how social identities are constructed, constrained, reinforced, and treated with inequality by systems of power;
- FORMULATE an intersectional perspective through the lenses of race, ethnicity, gender, class, sexuality, ability, age, and culture; strengthening our sense of how socially conscious bodies are able to see and take action towards social diversity in relationship to the SMC community, the Bay Area, the country and beyond when assessing one’s practice;
- UNDERSTAND the practice of scientific inquiry through laboratory experimentation including the logic of experimentation, data analysis and ethical implications;
- EXHIBIT strong communication skills with attention to empathy, collaboration, and compassion;
- CREATE a leadership style that employs ethical, responsible, professional, behavior.
Career Options
Testimonials
“The SMC Dance program has always provided a positive learning environment for its students and me. They offer a lot of diverse dance classes such as Modern, Ballet, West African, Ballet Folklorico and many more. The dance professors are always very warm, positive, caring and fun to be around within the studios. They are always there for their students and help push them to achieve their goals.”
Eesha Shah, Class of 2022
The Princeton Review, 2023