Dance – Associate in Arts Degree

Top Code:

1008.00

Students who complete the Dance major AA degree from Pasadena City College will gain a strong foundation in dance as an expressive and performing art form, emphasizing dance technique, performance, dance-making, dance production, and the cultural and historical significance of dance. Completion of an AA degree in dance greatly increases success in auditions and acceptance into BA/BFA programs at colleges and universities. The PCC dance major provides rigorous and comprehensive, pre-professional training for a career in concert dance, commercial dance, musical theatre and/or dance teaching.  Completion of this degree provides entry into a career performing, choreographing or teaching in the field. 

Interested students should be advised that a career in dance is typically very competitive and low-salaried, as is frequently the case with performing arts.

Pre-requisites skills:  In order to enroll in the dance technique core, requisites of units in Modern Dance III, Modern Dance IV, Ballet III, Ballet IV, Jazz III, Jazz IV, students must have either passed the level II version of that class or obtain an official Prerequisite waiver.

Program Outcomes

  • Proficiency in dancing, including a strong foundation in dance technique, with artistic nuance, versatility, and the ability to interpret direction.
  • Fluency in the art of choreography, establishing a practice in the invention and composition of movement, with competence in directing and collaborating with dancers.
  • Awareness of social, cultural and spiritual roles of dance in contemporary and historical civilization, with an ability to identify and discuss styles, their origins and global fusions.
  • Performance experience in a variety of contexts and venues, ranging from fully-produced, large-scale proscenium shows, to alternative or screen-based productions. 

Requirements for the Major

Required Core
DANC 008ABEGINNING COMPOSITION AND CHOREOGRAPHY2
DANC 012IMPROVISATION1
DANC 021ADANCE HISTORY: CULTURAL AND SOCIAL HERITAGE3
or DANC 021B DANCE HISTORY: SPECTACLE AND PERFORMANCE ART
DANC 022ADANCE PERFORMANCE I2
DANC 023DANCE REPERTOIRE1
DANC 026MUSIC FOR DANCE2
LIST A: Complete 3 units3
MODERN DANCE III
MODERN DANCE IV
BALLET III
BALLET IV
JAZZ DANCE III
JAZZ DANCE IV
LIST B: Complete 2 units2
FLAMENCO DANCE
TAP DANCE I
TAP DANCE II
TAP DANCE III
TAP DANCE IV
HIP HOP DANCE I
HIP HOP DANCE II
LIST C: Complete 1 unit1
SOCIAL DANCE I
SOCIAL DANCE II
Required Electives3
FLAMENCO DANCE
SOCIAL DANCE I
SOCIAL DANCE II
TAP DANCE I
TAP DANCE II
TAP DANCE III
TAP DANCE IV
INTERMEDIATE COMPOSITION AND CHOREOGRAPHY
MODERN DANCE I
MODERN DANCE II
MODERN DANCE III
MODERN DANCE IV
BALLET I
BALLET II
BALLET III
BALLET IV
PILATES-BASED METHOD FOR ALIGNMENT AND CORRECTION
HIP HOP DANCE I
HIP HOP DANCE II
JAZZ DANCE I
JAZZ DANCE II
JAZZ DANCE III
JAZZ DANCE IV
INDEPENDENT STUDY
DANCE PERFORMANCE II
MOVEMENT FOR CHILD DEVELOPMENT
MUSICAL THEATER WORKSHOP
Total Units20

Recommended Electives

THRT 002AACTING I3
THRT 015COSTUME CRAFTS3
THRT 041FUNDAMENTALS OF STAGE LIGHTING3
KINA 040ABEGINNING YOGA1
KINA 040BINTERMEDIATE YOGA1
KINA 040CADVANCED YOGA1
KINT 182ANATOMICAL PRINCIPLES OF KINESIOLOGY AND FITNESS3

Visit the Program Mapper for a suggested sequence of courses.

General Education Requirements for the Associate in Arts Degree