Specialization in Dance History
Boston Conservatory at Berklee’s specialization in dance history gives students the opportunity to thoroughly explore and delve deeply into the history of different dance genres. Each topic within the dance academics elective courses focus on a specific type of dance and its evolution over time. This emphasis is open to all B.F.A. dance students (contemporary and commercial).
Contemporary dance students must declare their emphasis at the end of their fourth semester; commercial dance students must declare their emphasis at the beginning of their third semester. Additionally, before declaring this specialization, the following courses must be satisfied:
Upon successful completion of the specialization in dance history, students will be able to:
- discuss the historical aspects, trends, and progression of multiple specific dance genres;
- relate and explain how political contexts and/or social movements influenced various dance forms and choreographic development; and
- discuss the intersectionality of all dance forms from a historical perspective.
Elective Courses
12 credits total from any of the following (choose four courses):
- D-LT 79910 Dance in the Postmodern Era (3 credits)
- D-LT 79917 Dance and Pop Culture (3 credits; contemporary dance majors only)
- D-LT 79918 History of Hip-Hop (3 credits)
- D-LT 79921 The Black Aesthetic in American Modern Dance (3 credits)
- D-LT 79923 History of Dance on Film and Video (3 credits)
- D-LT 79925 History of JazzDance (3 credits)
- D-LT 79926 History of Tap Dance (3 credits)
- D-LT 79929 History of Ballet (3 credits)
- D-LT 79930 History of Modern Dance (3 credits)