Bachelor of Dance (Degree with Honours)

The Bachelor of Dance (Honours) is a more advanced and specialised course of study requiring a higher standard of achievement following completion of a first dance degree. The 1 year program extends knowledge and experience through a combination of industry experience, self-initiated projects and research that may lead to formal postgraduate studies and/or opportunities to enter the dance profession. A substantial part of the program involves practical studies undertaken as field experience with a range of industry based organisations and project-based artists. These studies provide the opportunity to enhance career prospects under the guidance of experienced mentors and ensure adequate preparation for postgraduate studies in dance, where the maintenance of strong dance techniques is essential.

The results applicable to subjects in an honours course are in the range 65% to 100%, ie H3 to H1. A results below 65% is considered a ‘non pass’.

A minimum of 7.5 hours per week of dance training (ballet, contemporary, allied techniques) is to be maintained throught the duration of the course.

The objectives of this course are to provide opportunities for students:

• to work within their chosen area in the dance industry;
• to devise and perform a dance demonstration program;
• to extend their range of knowledge and competency within their chosen area;
• to prepare for postgraduate studies in dance.

Qualification for the award Bachelor of Dance (Honours) requires successful completion of all three core subjects listed below.

Bachelor of Dance (Honours)

Fourth Year

Prerequisites
Applicants require an Undergraduate Degree in dance. Candidates for entry into the Honours year will be selected on the basis of an audition and interview. Under the regulations the minimum requirement for admission of a candidate into the fourth year is normally the completion of a pass degree with a minimum average of H2B grades in the Bachelor of Dance at the VCA, or an Undergraduate Degree in dance with an appropriate level of attainment from another institution.

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, this subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in classical and contemporary dance exercises. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their participation are encouraged to discuss this with the Subject Coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

None

This course is designed to provide students with competencies and creative opportunities that are relevant to careers in dance and the creative arts, and to take advantage of the development and diversification of dance opportunities within our cultural framework.

At the completion of the Bachelor of Dance (Honours), students should be able to:

• exhibit extensive practical and theoretical knowledge of dance across its various aesthetic domains, including current professional dance practice,
• relevant skills in allied disciplines and current developments in the field;
• apply this knowledge through practical projects within industry and professional standard settings;
• embody an informed respect for the principles, discipline and ethics of the practicing, professional artist;
• demonstrate interpretive abilities in performing new and existing performance scores;
• participate effectively as a team member in projects with a shared focus;
• confidently communicate, both orally and in writing, opinions, ideas and observations with regard to their dance practice and that of others, in group and individual teaching and learning situations;
• respond with a flexible, imaginative and innovative approach to explore, investigate and resolve unfamiliar problems and challenges;
• conceptualise, plan, organise and realise their own choreographed work within the time constraints and demands of the program;
• independently research and investigate areas of theoretical and practical relevance from a wide range of sources;
• critically and creatively engage with topics of cultural significance and effectively participate in or contribute to contemporary cultural discourses;
• exhibit openness to new ideas and unconventional approaches, critiques and practices;
• develop effective planning, management and self-promotional skills.