Introduction

The specific focus of the Dance Education programme is to develop dance artists/practitioners who are able to:

• work particularly with children and young people of varying ages and abilities in a variety of school and community contexts
• to initiate, manage and deliver dance activities within school and community contexts

Dance education in schools refers to dance activity that takes place in a state school or college context with dance artists/practitioners working with children and young people. The dance artist/practitioner develops participation, engagement, enjoyment and creativity. This will be in the form of:

• curriculum based work in dance in the Foundation Stage or any of the key stages (1-4) of the National Curriculum
• examination syllabus focused work in GCSE, AS/A Level, GNVQ or BTEC
• dance that may be integrated as part of areas of learning (Foundation Stage), part of the physical education curriculum (Key Stages 1 and 2) or as a separate subject (Key Stages 3 and 4)
• dance that may also feature as part of the extended schools agenda in the form of a dance club for example

Dance education in the community refers to dance activity that takes place with a variety of groups in a range of contexts with dance artists/practitioners working with children and young people. The dance artist/practitioner develops participation, engagement, enjoyment and creativity. Groups such as, for example, child care workers, toddler groups, youth groups, disability and dance groups, in contexts such as, for example, theatres, arts venues, community or church halls or as a site-specific project. Community dance includes a broad range of practices and styles. Work will be in the form of:

• participatory or recreational dance
• creative dance
• choreography
• study of dance style
• dance in relation to the personal and social development, health, fitness and/or well-being of the participant
• performance
• combined arts projects

In both school and community contexts artists/practitioners will engage in the development of dance for all. That everyone has the right to experience dance regardless of where they live, their age, gender, race, disability, economic circumstance or culture. Central to this are access to, participation in and progression in and progression through quality dance experiences as a creative activity, and through arts activities in community.

The aims of the Dance Education programme are to:

• equip students with in-depth knowledge, skills and understanding of dance pedagogy and practice so that they may be confident and competent dance artists/practitioners;
• develop understanding of theory and practice links through a balanced, holistic and inclusive study of dance education;
• broaden knowledge and understanding of social, historical, political and contemporary contexts within which dance and education is produced, circulated and received, understanding that there is an evolving and eclectic dance culture;
• enable students to realise their creative potential as dance artists/practitioners in planning and facilitating dance;
• facilitate the acquisition of research skills and indepth study in areas of student interest within dance education;
• produce graduates with a wide range of transferable skills and employability and subject knowledge, skills and experience for a variety of fields, work opportunities and postgraduate study in dance education.

The programme will enable students to acquire the critical, creative, performance and professional skills relevant for employment within dance and related industries. The programme is structured in such a way as to offer students a careful mix of support and challenge, gradually increasing student autonomy. The degree aims to meet the needs of both employers and students where knowledge, skills and understanding are integrated and a fusion of theory and practice key. Students will develop as progressively independent, responsive and responsible learners, able to reflect on their learning in relation to personal, educational and career objectives.

Content and Structure

The Dance Education programme is studied over three years full time. The programme is divided into study units called modules. All modules in this programme have a practical as well as theoretical component.

YEAR 1

• Dance in Society 1
• Dance Pedagogy 1
• Technique and Style 1
• Dance Science 1
• Choreography 1
• Dance Research 1

YEAR 2

• Dance in Society 2
• Dance Pedagogy 2
• Technique and Style 2
• Dance Science 2
• Choreography 2
• Dance Research 2

YEAR 3

• Dance in Society 3
• Dance Pedagogy 3
• Repertoire
• Choreography 3
• Dance Research 3
• Professional Practice

Teaching and Learning Methods

A wide variety of learning and teaching strategies will be employed that will be University or a dance context based. Students will work with University tutors, dance artists, dance practitioners, dance companies and guest choreographers. Learning and teaching strategies include integrated approaches to theory and practice, experiential learning, tutor led and student led work, dance analysis, collaborative group work, peer teaching/observation and feedback, direct instruction, seminars, team teaching, presentations, resource based learning and independent study.

Methods of Assessment

Students will be assessed through a range of assignments incorporating a variety of modes. The assessment methods are practical presentations, practical demonstrations, creative and choreographic projects, performances and written assignments.

Important Information

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

The Dance Education criteria for admission are that the applicant has:

1. sustained prior experience in the study of dance in any dance style. Students should demonstrate sustained interest and experience in technical and creative aspects of dance of at least 2 years in any, or a number of dance styles. It may be that students have studied dance practically or they may also have studied some academic aspects of dance. Students may have studied dance as part of an Advanced level subject or BTEC course. Students may have formal qualifications and grades in a particular dance style such as ballet. Students may not have any formal qualifications in their chosen dance style such as street dance or hip-hop but can demonstrate sustained interest and study.

2. clear reasons as to why they would benefit from studying dance education. Students should describe and explain their reasons for wanting to study the Dance Education degree. This may include previous experience of working in dance with different groups of people, choreographing and/or performing, promoting and/or organising dance workshops, events or performances or facilitating or teaching dance.

3. potential to contribute to the development of Dance Education within the University and in the wider professional and community context. Students should consider how they may contribute to the development of Dance Education for example, building on their current knowledge, skills and understanding of dance and/or future career ideas.

The process of acceptance will involve an audition and interview. The audition will involve students in preparing a 3 minute solo piece of original choreography in any dance style. This will be performed at the audition. Students will also be asked to prepare and submit notes in relation to their choreography/creative process. The interview will ask students to articulate their choreographic/creative process in the making of the choreography. It will also ascertain why they wish to embark on the Dance Education programme and ideas that they may have regarding a future career.

International students can audition via video/DVD. They will need to film their solo piece and talk about their choreographic/creative process in the making of the choreography. They should also talk about why they wish to embark on the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Dance Education programme and how this may support a future career in their own country. International students will also be asked to submit notes in relation to their choreography/creative process.

In addition, academic entry requirements are typically 240 UCAS points including CCC at A2 Level, see the entry requirements page for more information.

HOW TO APPLY

Application is online via UCAS, see the UCAS codes page.

Employment Opportunities

This programme addresses the need for graduates entering the dance profession to be equipped not only with a high level of skills, knowledge and understanding of the art form and in education, but who are also equipped to work in a variety of contexts. It recognises that dance artists/practitioners often undertake a number of roles simultaneously throughout their working lives and that they need to be highly motivated, hard working and multi-skilled. Potential future careers opportunities include for example:

• freelance dance artist/practitioner/choreographer
• dance advocacy
• working within the national infrastructure for youth dance
• development and/or management of youth and/or community dance locally, regionally or nationally
• strategic dance education development
• dance education resource development
• education officer with a dance company

Students will have a range of relevant experience, knowledge and understanding to engage in a Post Graduate Certificate of Education programme in Physical Education or Dance in order to gain Qualified Teacher Status to work full time in state schools. They will also be well placed to embark on a Masters programme of study in related fields to dance and/or education.

The Dance Education degree places particular emphasis on the lifelong learning and employability of graduates; to prepare them for their continuing careers as dance artists/practitioners. It will inform students of the increasing and changing opportunities for employment in dance, education and the arts. The students will learn about the nature and provision of dance particularly within community and educational contexts and how they can access dance as a teacher, creator, performer, participant and spectator.

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