April 20, 2018
Dance Minor: Academic Grounding
PC’s dance minor, offered since 2001, teaches students about the theory and practice of dance, including dance technique, composition, history, and criticism.
“It’s a way for students who are passionate about dance to continue their dance education while pursuing a different major,” said Dr. Wendy R. Oliver, professor of dance and chair of the Department of Theatre, Dance, and Film. “It’s for students who want the credential on their transcripts, who want to continue to study, and not just perform. Offering a minor is a great way to solidify people’s interest in the arts and give an academic grounding to what they do already as performers.”
Through the years, students who majored in such diverse majors as chemistry, biology, education, and health policy and management have minored in dance, said Oliver. She has taught at PC since 1985 and has an Ed.D. in dance education from Columbia University and a master of fine arts degree from Temple University.
The department also offers a Children’s Dance course to prepare teachers. Students teach a six-week unit on creative movement and dance to children in Providence public and parochial schools. Many who take part are education majors and dance minors.
