Please note:
To view the Spring 2025 Academic Calendar, go to www.sfu.ca/students/calendar/2025/spring.
Dance Honours
¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Requirements
Program and course admission is contingent upon University admission. Contact Student Services for admission procedures, requirements and deadlines. Entry to all programs and to many courses is by audition, interview or application. Contact the school’s office for information on procedures and deadlines or visit our .
Although the University operates on a trimester system, most CA courses are planned in a two term (fall and spring) sequence. Consequently, students enter in the fall term (September) and are advised to contact the school in the preceding January for program entry and requirements information.
Entry to CA 122 Contemporary Dance I is by audition/interview usually in early spring. Contact the school to make an appointment.
Transfer Credit and Advanced Standing
Unassigned or general elective (type 2 and 3, respectively) transfer credit awarded for courses completed at other recognized post-secondary institutions will not automatically entitle students to advanced standing in the school’s programs. Advanced standing is generally given on an individual basis as a result of an audition or interview.
About the School’s Course Offerings
Students are encouraged to take advantage of interdisciplinary offerings within the school. As many programs depend on a continuing sequence of courses completed in order, students should plan carefully to gain the maximum benefit and efficiency from their study. Note that not all courses are offered every term and several are offered on a rotational basis, i.e. every third or fourth term. An advisor is available to help plan study programs.
Students are reminded that the school is an interdisciplinary contemporary arts department, and are strongly advised to acquaint themselves with the many disciplinary courses that are available.
Special Topics Courses
The subject matter (and prerequisites) of special or selected topics courses vary by term.
Prior Approval Prerequisite
Where a prerequisite is or includes ‘prior approval,’ approval must be obtained before enrolling in the course. Contact the school for further information.
Program Requirements
Students complete ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Honours Degree Requirements. See /students/calendar/fees-and-regulations/credentials-offered/definitions.html#honours.
Lower Division Requirements
Students complete a minimum of 45 units including
two core courses below
Introduces the many ways artists have employed moving images across artistic disciplines. By the completion of the course students should have a good sense of both the historical innovations and traditions in moving-image arts as well as the use of moving images in the contemporary art scene.
An introduction to the techniques of artistic composition as experienced in a collaborative interdisciplinary studio environment. The emphasis is on the creation, analysis and critique of new compositions created in collaborative groups by students in dance, music, theatre, film/video and visual art. Prerequisite: One of CA 122, 130, 145, 150, 160, 170.
plus one additional CA history/theory course outside their major*
and all of
Movement improvisational skills will be explored in a variety of solo, duet, group forms through structured movement themes and scores. Emphasis will be on sensory awareness, elements of movement, and composition. Prerequisite: Declared dance major, extended minor, or permission from instructor.
Study of the development of modern dance and the reformation of the ballet from the beginning of the 20th century to the present. Emphasis will be placed on seminal dance artists and the impact their work has had upon the art form in western theatre dance. This course may be of particular interest to a range of students in departments across the university. Prerequisite: 12 units. Students with credit for CA 227 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities/Social Sciences.
This studio/theory course is an exploratory movement laboratory designed for first year dance majors/minors. This course incorporates techniques of body awareness, centering, and structural realignment. This course may be of interest to dancers, actors, kinesiologists, and athletes with an extensive movement background. Prerequisite: Declared dance major, extended minor, or permission from instructor.
An introduction to aesthetic theory as it applies to dance. Lectures will address, among other things, the nature of aesthetic experience, as well as issues pertaining to critical judgment, communication, taste, and high and low art. Writing.
and six additional units in lower division CA courses outside of dance from below
Introduction to acoustics, psychoacoustics, sound synthesis, audio sampling and signal processing, and sound production in general as relating to music, film sound, radio, new media, art installations and live performance. Students with credit for CA 184 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Stefan Smulovitz |
Online |
An approach to the elements of acting for non-theatre performance majors. Work will include development of individual powers of expression - vocal, physical, intellectual, imaginative, and emotional.
A hands-on studio course modeled on the progressive development of artistic practice from simple mark-making to full scale installation. Through a process of continuous transformation, an original idea is developed in a sequence of methods, materials and scales. Some research is required. A course materials fee is required.
An introduction to the processes, tools and technology used in the production and presentation of the contemporary arts. Course requirements will include hands-on assignments in the production of theatre, dance, and music events. Students will work directly with equipment and materials, and are expected to be involved in work on productions and exhibitions outside of lecture and lab hours. Laboratory fee required. May be of particular interest to students in other areas and departments.
An introduction to the management, and organization of the performing arts. This course will provide a grounding for students who wish to become further involved in the administration of the performing arts and may include practical experience outside of regular seminar hours. May be of particular interest to students in other areas and departments.
* See advisor for course options.
Upper Division Requirements
Students complete a minimum of 48 units including all of
The first of three upper division courses which build upon the movement vocabulary and practice of contemporary dance. Prerequisite: CA 221.
Focused on learning different movement based compositional methods used to make new work. Students will apply new compositional ideas, expanding and setting material in space and working with different approaches of music, light and sound. Students will work with peers from production and design and other areas to create specific projects. Prerequisite: CA 124, 228W, and 285. Quantitative.
Students are encouraged to focus their efforts on an individual practice and to develop new work mentored by faculty and guest artists. The research from this course will be carried over to the spring term senior projects in CA 425. Part of the class will focus on documentation and approaches to building personal profiles. This course can be repeated once for credit. Prerequisite: CA 324.
Senior students continue the movement-based research initiated in CA 424. An extended final project will be developed, mentored by faculty and guests, culminating in a showing. Fourth year students will focus on choreography; other students will participate as collaborators or performers. This course can be repeated for credit three times. Prerequisite: CA 220, 324.
and 10 units selected from the following**
Explores the vocabulary and movement range of classical ballet technique at the intermediate level. Further attention will be given to the understanding of body placement, balance, flexibility and strength. Practical studio experience is offered within the context of specific theoretical principles. May repeat for credit. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the dance major or extended minor program, or prior approval.
Continuation of CA 322, with an emphasis on expanding the vocabulary and movement range of classical ballet technique at the intermediate level. Further attention will be given to the understanding of body placement, balance, flexibility and strength. Practical studio experience is offered within the context of specific theoretical principles. May repeat for credit. Prerequisite: CA 322 or prior approval.
One of two courses which provide advanced level dance students the opportunity to work as an ensemble rehearsing and preparing for a series of public performances. Choreography will be created and/or selected by a faculty director. This course can be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the dance major or extended minor, and prior approval. Corequisite: Students must be concurrently enrolled in a technique course at an appropriate level. These courses include CA 220, CA 320, CA 322, CA 420, and CA 421.
One of two courses which provide advanced level dance students with the opportunity to work as an ensemble rehearsing and preparing for a series of public performances. Choreography will be created and/or selected by a faculty director. This course can be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the dance major or extended minor and prior approval. Corequisite: Students must be concurrently enrolled in a technique course at an appropriate level. These courses include 220, 320, 322, 420, and 421.
A specific topic in dance which is not otherwise covered in depth in regular courses. The work will be practical, theoretical or a combination of the two, depending on the particular topic in a given term. Prerequisite: CA 221 or prior approval.
Continues and expands on strategies undertaken in CA 324. Focused on guest artist or faculty research - this course is a process-oriented laboratory for artistic exploration. Students will engage in artistic research led by the guest or faculty artist and culminate in a showing at the end of the term. Repeatable two times for credit. Prerequisite: CA 124, 285, 324 and (326 or 327).
An extension of classical ballet technique on an upper intermediate level. Understanding of basic principles is assumed and attention will be focused on combinations of movement, musicality and performance. May repeat for credit. Prerequisite: CA 323 or prior approval.
An advanced course. Students must have a thorough background in the vocabulary and techniques of classical ballet. Attention will be given to movement sequences from the ballet repertoire. May repeat for credit. Prerequisite: CA 427 or prior approval.
A collaborative creation-performance course in which students design and produce creative projects collectively in varied small/large group configurations. Forces involved can include any mix of instruments/objects/electronics designed toward collective live performance, sound sculpture/installation, or any other type of sound-based experience. May be co-taught across other SCA areas as an interdisciplinary model. Prerequisite: CA 240 or permission of instructor.
A studio course focusing on creative collaborations between artists of different disciplines. The emphasis is on the creation, analysis and critique of new compositions created in collaboration between senior students in dance, film, music, theatre and visual art. Prerequisite: One CA studio course at the upper level, a CGPA of 3.0 and an overall average of 3.5 in CA courses.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
James Long |
May 12 – Jun 20, 2025: Tue, 9:30 a.m.–1:20 p.m.
May 12 – Jun 20, 2025: Thu, 9:30 a.m.–1:20 p.m. |
GOLDCORP GOLDCORP |
and the remaining required units chosen from CA upper division courses including one upper division history/theory course (placement in courses is based on prerequisites and/or permission of the instructor).
* May be completed more than once for credit.
** Other dance related courses may be substituted with permission of the school.
+ May not be completed more than once for credit.
Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements
Students admitted to ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV beginning in the fall 2006 term must meet writing, quantitative and breadth requirements as part of any degree program they may undertake. See Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements for university-wide information.
WQB Graduation Requirements
A grade of C- or better is required to earn W, Q or B credit
Requirement |
Units |
Notes | |
W - Writing |
6 |
Must include at least one upper division course, taken at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV within the student's major subject; two courses (minimum three units each) |
|
Q - Quantitative |
6 |
Q courses may be lower or upper division; two courses (total six units or more) | |
B - Breadth |
18 |
Designated Breadth |
Must be outside the student's major subject, and may be lower or upper division: Two courses (total six units or more) Social Sciences: B-Soc |
6 |
Additional Breadth |
Two courses (total six units or more) outside the student's major subject (may or may not be B-designated courses, and will likely help fulfil individual degree program requirements). Students choosing to complete a joint major, joint honours, double major, two extended minors, an extended minor and a minor, or two minors may satisfy the breadth requirements (designated or not designated) with courses completed in either one or both program areas. |
Residency Requirements and Transfer Credit
- At least half of the program's total units must be earned through ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV study.
- At least two thirds of the program's total upper division units must be earned through ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV study.
Elective Courses
In addition to the courses listed above, students should consult an academic advisor to plan the remaining required elective courses.