I. ASCRC General Education Form (revised 1/27/11)
Use to propose new general education courses (except writing courses), to change existing
gen ed courses and to remove designations for existing gen ed courses.
Note: One-time-only general education designation may be requested for experimental courses
(X91-previously X95), granted only for the semester taught. A NEW request must be
submitted for the course to receive subsequent general education status.
Group
III. Language
VII: Social Sciences
(submit
III Exception: Symbolic Systems * VIII: Ethics & Human Values
separate forms
IV: Expressive Arts
IX: American & European
X
if requesting
V: Literary & Artistic Studies
X: Indigenous & Global
more than one
VI: Historical & Cultural Studies
XI: Natural Sciences
general
w/ lab  w/out lab 
education
group
*Courses proposed for this designation must be standing requirements of
designation)
majors that qualify for exceptions to the modern and classical language
requirement
Dept/Program School of Theatre & Dance
Course #
U DANC 334HY
Course Title
Prerequisite
Dance History
Credits
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
Michele Antonioli
x2875
michele.antonioli@umontana.edu
Program Chair Jere Hodgin
x2877
Dean
Dr. Stephen Kalm
x4970
III. Type of request
New
One-time Only
Renew
X
Reason for Gen Ed inclusion, change or deletion
3
Date
Requestor
Phone / Email
Change
Remove
This course meets the Group IX
requirements; we respectfully request
that the course be a designated
American and European course.
Description of change
IV. Description and purpose of new general education course: General Education courses
must be introductory and foundational within the offering department or within the General
Education Group. They must emphasize breadth, context, and connectedness; and relate course
content to students’ future lives: See Preamble:
http://umt.edu/facultysenate/archives/minutes/gened/GE_preamble.aspx
This course is a foundational survey of American modern dance from its origins in the late nineteenth
century through the present. Through research, lecture, and video viewing, the major figures, events and
movements of American modern dance are presented chronologically with the goal of increasing
students’ understanding of the driving force behind each choreographer’s work, that choreographer’s
lineage, and his/her social, political, and artistic contexts. This course consistently addresses the
relevance of individual artists reflecting upon or challenging institutions, traditions, and legacies
established by their native cultures. Students will approach the study of art in the past 150 years
(primarily dance with recognition of music, theatrical, and visual arts) in Western Europe and the United
States as a vital and influential aspect of the current artistic climate in America.
V. Criteria: Briefly explain how this course meets the criteria for the group. See:
http://umt.edu/facultysenate/documents/forms/GE_Criteria5-1-08.aspx
Courses focus on either area and can be
This course uses a historiographic methodology
comparative in content or approach. The
as it defines the origins of modern dance—a
courses are broad in theme, geography, or
primarily American art form—with its origins at the
chronology. They are foundational and prepare end of the nineteenth century. The lineage of the
students for further study by raising core
major events and figures and their influences on
questions of an academic discipline.
the dance styles seen today is studied, as well as
the influential political and social events largely
seen in North America and Western Europe.
Students will incorporate the structures and forms
of historical dance movements. They will reflect
on and critique these major figures and articulate
the relevance of the work in the context of
Western culture and the twentieth and twenty-first
centuries.
VI. Student Learning Goals: Briefly explain how this course will meet the applicable learning
goals. See: http://umt.edu/facultysenate/documents/forms/GE_Criteria5-1-08.aspx
Upon completion of this perspective, a student
Students will gain an understanding of the
will be able to demonstrate informed and
important cultural and social movements and
reasoned understanding of American and/or
institutions that shaped the development of
European historical and contemporary behavior, modern dance, historically an American art form.
ideas, institutions, and culture.
The course synthesizes information about the
development of modern dance and its parallels
with theatrical arts, visual arts, and music in the
past 150 years. The causes and consequences of
these historical developments are reflected in the
art works being developed.
Upon completion of this perspective, a student
As students prepare assignments and develop
will be able to analyze and evaluate what is
unit presentations, they are encouraged to use all
distinctive and significant about the American
available resources to create a clear picture of the
and/or European experience and legacy.
values and belief systems evident in the
geographic culture (Western civilization) and a
culture surrounding dance making. Students read
biographies and critiques plus view interviews
and performances of dance pioneers and major
figures and are able to discuss, write, or debate
the influences, experiences, and legacies of these
major figures as particular to their time (primarily
twentieth-century) and geography (primarily
American).
VII. Justification: Normally, general education courses will not carry pre-requisites, will carry
at least 3 credits, and will be numbered at the 100-200 level. If the course has more than one
pre-requisite, carries fewer than three credits, or is upper division (numbered above the 200
level), provide rationale for exception(s).
Due to the foundational nature of the course’s approach to appreciating dance through the study of
American and European cultural history, it is understood that satisfactory completion of this course will be
successful with students entering their junior years. It is at the faculty advisor’s discretion, however, to
place students in this 300-level course as soon as their sophomore years. As the School of Theatre &
Dance has already completed MUS common course review, and to maintain level alignment with similar
history courses in the College of Visual and Performing Arts (such as ARTH 333H, MUSI 301H/302H, and
THTR 330H/331H), we are not proposing the number be changed to a 200-level course.
VIII. Syllabus: Paste syllabus below or attach and send digital copy with form.  The syllabus
should clearly describe how the above criteria are satisfied. For assistance on syllabus
preparation see: http://teaching.berkeley.edu/bgd/syllabus.html
The University of Montana, School of Theatre & Dance
Autumn 2013: Dance History 3 credits
DANC 334HY
T Th 9:10-10:30 pm
Instructor: Heidi Jones Eggert
Phone: (406) 243-2832
Email: heidi.eggert@umontana.edu
Office: PARTV 186
Office hours: M F 10:00-11:00
Tues 1:30-2:30
In 1980, a well-meaning fundraiser came to see me and said, "Miss Graham, the most
powerful thing you have going for you to raise money is your respectability." I wanted to
spit. Respectable! Show me any artist who wants to be respectable.
~Martha Graham
Course Description
Through reading, lecture and video viewing, the major figures, events and movements of
American Modern Dance are presented chronologically, with the goal of increasing students’
understanding of the driving force behind each choreographer’s work, their lineages and their
social, political and artistic contexts. Multi-cultural influences and a global view will influence
the studies of the history of concert dance from the late 19th century to the present time.
Course Objectives
 To become familiar with, and be able to articulate the significance of, the major figures and
events in American Modern Dance history, and all dances of the 20th and 21st centuries
 To be able to analyze and articulate the lineage of stylistic influence
 To be able to analyze and articulate the connections between major trends in Modern Dance
and the social, political and visual art movements of their time
 For those of you studying modern dance technique: to be able to analyze the connections
between the forms of dance you are studying, and seeing in concerts, and possible
predecessors
 To demonstrate your ability to conduct primary research
Course Content
 Acknowledgment of Dance leading into the 20th Century
 Emergence of New Dance in America and Western Europe
 Evolution of Modern Dance
o Pioneers, First generations, Post Modern Dance, Next Wave
o Including - Judson Dance Theatre, Tanztheatre and more
 Dance in Movies / Dance for Film
 Contemporary Choreographers, domestic and global
Course Requirements
 Group projects with presentations – topics may include (but are not limited to)
o a geographical inquiry into contemporary dance
o (re)construct a dance in the style of a particular choreographer/movement
o dance in movies vs. dance for film

Research and present a 7-10 page paper on a choreographer whose significant work began
before mid-century, placing her/him in the larger context of the artistic and socio/political
culture in which s/he lived.
o First draft due: September 28
o In-class peer review: October 1
o Second draft due: October 6
o Brief presentation of research: October 6

Research and present a 3-4 page paper on a currently active choreographer of
national/international significance, which demonstrates your ability to conduct primary
research, analyze their dances and conduct interviews.
o Subject proposals due: October 8
o Interview questions due: October 15
o Papers due: November 26
o Interactive or multi-media Presentations due: November 24 – December 3

Live performances – The instructor will provide guidelines for responses to:
o Dance In Concert (March 7-10, 7:30pm, PARTV Montana Theatre, $20 gen adm,
$16 student, $10 required student)
o May choose between
- Spring Studio Works (March 22, 6:30 & 8:30pm, PARTV Open Space, $5 at
the door)
- Dance New Works (April 17-21, 7:30pm + 2pm April 21 PARTV Open
Space, $9 gen adm, $6 required students)
o May receive extra credit for
- Attending other dance events and writing a short response. Details available
on our Moodle site

Final – Tuesday, December 8, 8:10am
o assembly of Modern Dance lineage
o quick answer and short essay pertaining to class lectures/activities
Expectations
 Students will attend class
 Students will actively participate in discussions
 Students will complete assignments on time
 Students will conduct research and present information with accuracy, thoroughness
Grading
 daily participation 20%
 daily assignments 20%
 group projects 10%
 historical research 20%
 contemporary research 20%
 final exam 10%
* Additional topics/assignments may be scheduled throughout the semester and dates posted may shift
at the discretion of the instructor.
Academic Misconduct and the Student Conduct Code: All students must practice academic honesty. Academic misconduct
is subject to an academic penalty by the course instructor and/or disciplinary sanction by the University. All students need to
be familiar with the Student Conduct Code. The Code is available for review online at
http://life.umt.edu/vpsa/student_conduct.php.
** All Theatre & Dance students must have an in-depth knowledge of the practices and procedures outlined in the School of
Theatre & Dance Student Handbook. The Handbook is available online at http://www.umt.edu/theatredance/about/handbook.
There is inherent risk involved in many Theatre & Dance classes as they are very physical in nature. Please proceed through
class, shop time, or rehearsal with caution. Always be mindful of your personal safety and the safety of others. Students
participating in class/shop/rehearsal/performance do so at their own risk.
Due to safety considerations, at no point during a student’s time spent in class or serving on a production (in any capacity)
should non-enrolled persons be guests of that student without my consent. Presence of such unauthorized persons in a class,
shop, or any backstage/off-stage area will negatively affect a student’s grade.
The University of Montana assures equal access to instruction through collaboration between students with disabilities,
instructors, and Disability Services for Students (DSS). If you think you may have a disability adversely affecting your
academic performance, and you have not already registered with DSS, please contact DSS in Lommasson 154. I will work
with you and DSS to provide an appropriate accommodation.
Please note: Approved general education changes will take effect next fall.
General education instructors will be expected to provide sample assessment items and
corresponding responses to the Assessment Advisory Committee.