May 21, 2026

2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog

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2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog

Dance, BFA

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Overview

The Dance Department offers artists rigorous training, freedom to experiment, and the space to create. Students develop healthy and sustainable practices necessary for working dance artists, with emphasis on technique, collaboration, choreography, and performance.

Program Learning Outcomes

At the completion of their program of study, graduates of the Dance Department at Cornish College of the Arts are able to:

Demonstrate proficiency in a breadth of physical dance practices that are grounded in creative, somatic, and anatomical understanding.
Apply knowledge of dance and performance practices within theoretical, historical, social, and cultural contexts.
Create, in solo and in collaboration, movement-based works for physical and digital spaces.
Communicate complex ideas and apply critical thinking through writing, speaking, and diverse media.
Apply understanding of professional practices in the dance field.

General Education Coursework

Complete ALL of the following Requirement Sets:

First-Year Writing

Complete ALL of the following Courses:

HS 111 - Writing and Analysis I 3 credit hours
HS 112 - Writing and Analysis II 3 credit hours

Writing Intensive

Complete at least 1 courses in the following Course Sets:

AR 433 - Critical + Contextual: Thesis 3 credit hours
DA 335 - Writing About Dance 3 credit hours
DA 440 - Special Topics in Dance History 3 credit hours
FM 335 - Film Forms 3 credit hours
FM 361 - Complex Narrative 3 credit hours
FM 435 - Major Directors 3 credit hours
HS 203 - Intro Creative Writing 3 credit hours
HS 204 - Creative Writing Short Fiction 3 credit hours
HS 205 - Creative Non-Fiction 3 credit hours
HS 206 - Writing Poetry 3 credit hours
HS 238 - Contemporary American Literature 3 credit hours
HS 239 - Intro to Poetry 3 credit hours
HS 240 - Critical Arts Writing 3 credit hours
HS 241 - Introduction to Short Fiction 3 credit hours
HS 244 - Introduction to the Novel 3 credit hours
HS 246 - Contemporary Global Literature 3 credit hours
HS 381 - Research Writing 3 credit hours
MU 354 - Topics in Music History 3 credit hours
TH 274 - Playwriting Fundamentals 3 credit hours
TH 361 - Modern Theater History & Theory 3 credit hours
TH 367 - Musical Theater History & Analysis 3 credit hours
TH 386 - Playwriting Practicum 3 credit hours
TH 483 - Playwriting Laboratory 3 credit hours

Humanities

Earn at least 6 credits from the following:

AN 333 - Special Topics in Animation History 3 credit hours
AN 233 - Animation in Context 3 credit hours
AR 233 - Global Modern Art History 3 credit hours
AR 234 - Contemporary Art History 3 credit hours
AR 362 - Special Topics in Art History 3 credit hours
DA 142 - Dance & Performance History 3 credit hours
DA 205 - Dance in the Theater: 1890-2010 3 credit hours
DA 440 - Special Topics in Dance History 3 credit hours
DE 140 - Color: Theory + Practice 3 credit hours
DE 333 - Parallel Views:Narratives of Design 3 credit hours
FM 233 - Film Language 3 credit hours
FM 234 - World Cinema Since 1960 3 credit hours
FM 335 - Film Forms 3 credit hours
FN 140 - Intro to Visual Arts Histories 3 credit hours
HS 201 - The Power of Peer Consulting 3 credit hours
HS 203 - Intro Creative Writing 3 credit hours
HS 204 - Creative Writing Short Fiction 3 credit hours
HS 205 - Creative Non-Fiction 3 credit hours
HS 206 - Writing Poetry 3 credit hours
HS 211 - Illustrating Science 3 credit hours
HS 217 - Curating Nature: Wildlife in Film 3 credit hours
HS 221 - Curating Nature: Taxidermy 3 credit hours
HS 222 - Natural Law and Human Nature 3 credit hours
HS 223 - Ancient Landscapes 3 credit hours
HS 224 - Morals and Manners 3 credit hours
HS 226 - Certainty and Belief 3 credit hours
HS 227 - Stoicism 3 credit hours
HS 228 - Origins of Modern Thought 3 credit hours
HS 229 - Passion and Reason 3 credit hours
HS 232 - Hist of Western Pol Thought 3 credit hours
HS 238 - Contemporary American Literature 3 credit hours
HS 239 - Intro to Poetry 3 credit hours
HS 240 - Critical Arts Writing 3 credit hours
HS 241 - Introduction to Short Fiction 3 credit hours
HS 244 - Introduction to the Novel 3 credit hours
HS 246 - Contemporary Global Literature 3 credit hours
HS 247 - Introduction to World Literature 3 credit hours
HS 248 - Literature: Special Topics 3 credit hours
HS 250 - Performance Art: History & Theory 3 credit hours
HS 260 - Humanities: Special Topics 3 credit hours
HS 261 - Art of Living 3 credit hours
HS 282 - Existentialism 3 credit hours
HS 286 - Ethics and Values 3 credit hours
HS 287 - Philosophy in Myth & Story 3 credit hours
HS 288 - Modern Loss of Self 3 credit hours
HS 360 - Humanities: Special Topics 3 credit hours
HS 361 - Text + Context in the Ancient World 3 credit hours
HS 381 - Research Writing 3 credit hours
IN 233 - Critical & Contextual Studies I 3 credit hours
IN 333 - History of Interior Architecture 3 credit hours
MU 354 - Topics in Music History 3 credit hours
TH 261 - Theater History 3 credit hours
TH 361 - Modern Theater History & Theory 3 credit hours
TH 367 - Musical Theater History & Analysis 3 credit hours

Sciences

Earn at least 6 credits from the following:

HS 211 - Illustrating Science 3 credit hours
HS 212 - Evolution by Nature 3 credit hours
HS 217 - Curating Nature: Wildlife in Film 3 credit hours
HS 221 - Curating Nature: Taxidermy 3 credit hours
HS 234 - Anatomy and Physiology 3 credit hours
HS 270 - Sciences: Special Topics 3 credit hours

Social Sciences

Earn at least 6 credits from the following:

DA 142 - Dance & Performance History 3 credit hours
HS 219 - Env. Science: Special Topics 3 credit hours
HS 220 - Environmental Sci. & Sustainability 3 credit hours
HS 223 - Ancient Landscapes 3 credit hours
HS 225 - Archaeological Science 3 credit hours
HS 230 - Cultural History of the PNW 3 credit hours
HS 231 - Cultural Anthropology 3 credit hours
HS 232 - Hist of Western Pol Thought 3 credit hours
HS 233 - Biological Anthropology 3 credit hours
HS 235 - Anthropology: Special Topics 3 credit hours
HS 236 - Survey of Anthropology 3 credit hours
HS 237 - Anthropology of Death 3 credit hours
HS 271 - Introduction to Psychology 3 credit hours
HS 272 - Psychology of the Artistic Self 3 credit hours
HS 273 - Cartography 3 credit hours
HS 276 - Psychology: Special Topics 3 credit hours
HS 280 - Social Science: Special Topics 3 credit hours
HS 283 - Geopolitics 3 credit hours
HS 284 - Intro to Sociology 3 credit hours
HS 285 - Political Science: Special Topics 3 credit hours
HS 286 - Ethics and Values 3 credit hours
HS 287 - Philosophy in Myth & Story 3 credit hours
HS 288 - Modern Loss of Self 3 credit hours
HS 384 - Islam in the US 3 credit hours

Floating General Education

Earn at least 6 credits from the following Sections:

Humanities Courses
Sciences Courses
Social Sciences Courses

In-Major Coursework

Completion requirement

Core Classes

Complete ALL of the following Courses:

DA 105 - Foundational Physical Practices I 2 credit hours
DA 106 - Foundational Physical Practices II 2 credit hours
DA 107 - Foundational Physical Practices I 2 credit hours
DA 108 - Foundational Physical Practices II 2 credit hours
DA 109 - Creative Practices I 2 credit hours
DA 110 - Creative Practices II 2 credit hours
DA 119 - Dance Professional Practices I 1 credit hours
DA 123 - Partnering: Social Dances 2 credit hours
DA 142 - Dance & Performance History 3 credit hours
DA 213 - Topics in Physical Practices III 2 credit hours
DA 214 - Topics in Physical Practices IV 2 credit hours
DA 215 - Creative Practices III 2 credit hours
DA 216 - Creative Practices IV 2 credit hours
DA 219 - Human Musculoskeletal Anatomy 3 credit hours
DA 222 - Experiential Anatomy & Somatics 2 credit hours
DA 236 - Dance Professional Practices II 2 credit hours
DA 253 - Partnering: Contemporary 2 credit hours
DA 313 - Intermediate Physical Practice V 2 credit hours
DA 314 - Intermediate Physical Practice VI 2 credit hours
DA 317 - Creative Practices V (rotating) 2 credit hours
DA 318 - Creative Practices VI 3 credit hours
DA 413 - Advanced Physical Practice 2 credit hours
DA 436 - Dance Professional Practices III 2 credit hours
DA 438 - Dance Professional Practices IV 2 credit hours
DA 440 - Special Topics in Dance History 3 credit hours
DA 465 - Senior Capstone: Research 2 credit hours
DA 467 - Senior Capstone: Project & Perform 2 credit hours
DA 481 - Dance Teaching Methods 2 credit hours
DA 486 - Artist As Citizen 3 credit hours
FM 141 - Essential Tools for Filmmakers 3 credit hours

Performance Credit

Earn at least 2 credits

Electives

College Electives

Earn at least 6 credits

These courses are from outside of your major

Open Electives

Earn at least 9 credits

These can be any courses at the college