BFA Policies and Procedures
Dance at Illinois Program of Study
BFA Curriculum Changes – Effective Fall 2009
I. Improvisation and Choreography Changes
a. Improvisation II (DANC 163) is no longer being offered. The following choices fulfill the requirement:
i. Contact Improvisation
ii. Improvisation for Actors, Dancers, & Musicians (Students must petition FAA to request that this class be accepted as fulfillment of DANC 163 - Improvisation.)
b. Composition I and II are now called Choreographic Process I (DANC 262) and II (DANC 362).
c. Choreographic Process I should be taken in the fall of Sophomore year. A pre/co-requisite for Choreographic Process I is:
i. Contact Improvisation
ii. Improvisation for Actors, Dancers, & Musicians
d. After the completing Choreographic Process I, students may now choose 2 more semesters (minimum) from available choreographic offerings:
i. Choreographic Process II (repeatable)
ii. Screendance
iii. Composer-Choreographer Workshop
II. Supervised Teaching
a. DANC 455 is the new course number for Supervised Teaching. Each faculty member will have his/her own CRN.
b. All students who are assisting or teaching must submit a Supervised Teaching Proposal Form (available online at the beginning of the semester) to the Dance Office after acquiring the appropriate signatures before they can register for the course.
| If you are an undergraduate assisting a faculty member |
Register in that faculty member’s section of DANC 455 | 2 credits |
| If you are an undergraduate assisting Dance for Children | Register in that faculty member’s section of DANC 455 | 1 credit |
| If you are an undergraduate assisting a graduate student | You will be assigned a faculty mentor by Jan. Register in your faculty mentor’s section of DANC 455 | 2 credits |
| If you are an undergraduate teaching a class | You will be assigned a faculty mentor by Jan. Register in your faculty mentor’s section of DANC 455 | 3 credits |
| If you are a graduate assisting a faculty member |
Register in that faculty member’s section of DANC 455 | 2 credits |
III. Music for Dance
a. The Music Literature requirement will now be taken through the School of Music (MUS 130 or MUS 133).
IV. Changes for Seniors
a. Seniors that have fulfilled their technique requirements in Banner are only required to take 5 technique classes/week without having to complete a Department Petition.
b. Unless the student has filed a Departmental Petition, he/she must take 3 Modern and 2 Ballet classes/week.
ATTENTION UNDERGRADUATES AND ADVISORS
2/11/09
Please note the following revisions to the current BFA Student Handbook. This will replace the current section entitled Requirements for Continuing in the B.F.A. Program.
Dance majors are evaluated throughout the four-year program. At the mid-term of each semester the faculty will meet to review students’ progress. Students will be assessed according to the following schedule:
Fall Semester: Sophomores and Seniors
Spring Semester: Freshman, new transfer students, and Juniors
If the faculty determines that a student is not meeting expectations, the student’s technique teacher or advisor will meet with the student to discuss the issue. If the concern warrants further action, the student will receive a letter from the head of the department alerting the student to the gravity of the situation.
A student who is “not scheduled” for review may be assessed anytime during the academic year if a problem is identified.
Proficiency Requirement for All Dance Majors for Continued Enrollment and Graduation
1) A term G.P.A. minimum of 2.75 in all course work in dance.
2) Successful completion of the Sophomore Review (see below)
3) 360-technique level for a minimum of two semesters prior to graduation.
4) Satisfactory completion (receiving a grade of “S”) of the Senior Thesis Project (DANC 499).
Probation
To remain in good standing in the BFA program, all students must meet the proficiency requirements stated above. Failure to meet the minimum requirements will result in the following action:
Warning Letter: This will state that the student is not meeting the minimum requirements. The letter will outline what a student must accomplish to return to good standing.
Probation: If a student does not return to good standing within one semester of receiving a warning letter a second letter will state that they will be placed on probation. During the probationary semester, the student must meet with their advisor and representative faculty to discuss the student’s progress. Students placed on probation may be restricted from performing during the probationary semester.
Dismissal from Dance Program: Students who do not return to good standing at the end of the probationary semester will be sent a third letter dismissing them from the BFA program in the Department of Dance.
The schedule of letters allows ample time for students to improve their standing in the program. It is the student’s responsibility to make use of campus resources to address any artistic, academic, or other concerns affecting their progress in the program. Departmental and campus resources include (but are not limited to) advisors, technique teachers, Writer’s Workshop, and the Counseling Center.
Repeated Probation:
If a student falls below the proficiency standing stated above for a second time, after bringing themselves off of their first semester of warning, the process will be shortened. The student will be placed on probation immediately, with no warning period. If the student fails to achieve good standing during the semester of probation, they will be sent a letter of dismissal.
If a student falls below the proficiency standing stated above for a third time, after bringing themselves off probation twice, they will be sent a letter of dismissal without a warning or probationary period.
NOTICE TO BFA ADVISORS
1/29/09
Course Overload
A full time student must take a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester, and is allowed to take up to 18 hours without having to ask for an overload. Most of our freshmen take 15 hours each semester, which includes 2 Gen Ed courses in addition to their Dance Curriculum courses.
It is not at all uncommon for Sophomore, Junior, and Senior Dance Majors to request an overload. Freshmen are discouraged from taking an overload. In general students may not take more than 22 hours and they must have a minimum cumulative GPA greater than a 3.0.
For Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors the process is simple and straightforward.
Students seeking an overload should send their request to Teresa Henderson via email. Students should provide:
1) clear personal identification (UIN or netid) so they can be quickly identified;
2) the total number of hours they would like to take;
3) a list of the courses they hope to add if given permission for an overload.
