Looking for a gentler semester? Start with courses where students have earned higher grades.
Highest historical GPA first. At least 100 letter grades over the five years through the selected term. Grades reflect past outcomes, not workload or a guaranteed result.
17 courses
Ranked courses have at least 100 recorded letter grades.
A laboratory in mind-body practice focusing on bodily awareness and function for performing artists through movement, readings, discussion, writing, and performances.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2024–Spring 2026Ballet II emphasizes studying and practicing fundamental ballet principles while exploring the body as a creative and expressive instrument.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Continuation of Level I Core Ballet Technique focusing on barre, center, and allegro work with emphasis on form, kinesthetic principles, and aesthetic values.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2023–Spring 2026Social Dance I introduces basic movement concepts for social dancing, covering leading/following, rhythm, and style in Waltz, Fox Trot, Jitterbug/Swing, Tango, and Cha-Cha.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Workshop in Dance Activity explores creative and expressive dance movement, developing technical skills and creative ability through whole body work on flexibility, strength, alignment, endurance, movement, and improvisation.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Elementary contemporary dance technique and theory, exploring the body as a creative and expressive instrument.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2023–Spring 2026Focuses on learning Level I II (Lab I) exercises on the Pilates equipment, which includes the Reformer, Cadillac, Low Chair, and High Barrel.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Movement Composition for the Performing and Visual Arts explores basic principles of solo composition and applies them to movement in visual and performing arts.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2023–Spring 2026Movement as Material Through Improvisation uses improvisation to develop a personal movement vocabulary and explore compositional form.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2025Introduction to the histories of dance; surveys the significance of dance in and as human culture.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Natalia Hildner
Participation accounted for 40% of the grade, requiring students to speak in class to earn points, while attendance at a paid dance performance was also mandatory.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Explores the integration of body and mind through various somatic practices.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
historical GPA · grades
Spring 2023–Spring 2026Understanding Dance builds appreciation for the field by integrating theoretical, historical, and embodied learning through viewing, reading, reflecting, discussing, and creating.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Karen McShane-Hellenbrand
Attendance was mandatory with two free absence passes. The midterm required a memorized dance routine, and the final was multiple-choice with a provided study guide.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Fall 2025PILATES MAT I is a physical conditioning program focusing on balance, posture, joint decompression, and core strength using Level I-III Mat exercises.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Kelsey Macomber
The course involved multiple exams that were difficult and required significant studying and memorization of exercises and anatomy.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Explores Asian-derived movement techniques and exercises in the US context, focusing on constructing and expressing ethnic and cultural identity.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Peggy Choy
Students reported that success required consistent attendance, completing required reading and video-watching, and practicing outside of class, while noting that points could be deducted for small details.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026Introduction to foundational movement technical knowledge for performing Hip-Hop dance safely with form and skill.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2023–Fall 2025Dancing Gender explores gender and feminist theories through the lens of dance, examining embodiment, politics, and global dance genres.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Natalie Zervou
Workload included weekly assignments and journal entries summarizing two hours of lectures into under 250 words, which some found tedious but manageable with time.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026This course examines dance as a cultural form of expression within the political sphere, using case studies like hip-hop, modern dance, and public protests to explore dance's social and political functions.
Offering recorded · Spring 2027 · Sources
Past student reviews · Natalie Zervou
The course required significant writing, including four papers, weekly discussion posts, and weekly summaries, which one student described as a ton of work for three credits.
historical GPA · grades
Fall 2022–Spring 2026